SORCERER 2014

2014 saw electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream given the opportunity to perform their original soundtrack to William Friedkin's `Sorcerer' from 1977 live in Copenhagen, playing on stage as the movie played directly behind them on a large cinema screen. That performance inspired this double CD release "Sorcerer 2014: The Cinematographic Score", as well as a second disc of outtakes, unused fragments and new pieces in the style and manner of the original music. Claimed to be recorded live at the Eastgate Music and Arts theatre, more likely it's been partially re-recorded in the studio, but it makes no difference - this is simply one of the finest Tangerine Dream recordings in over twenty years, one that fans of their Seventies music have been waiting for. This is not simply some uninspired `covers' album or lazy remake, the current version of Tangerine Dream have reworked much of the original, and it's made their music sound the most vital and relevant it has for many years.

The classic original `Sorcerer' soundtrack was one of the most brooding and dark releases from the band, and it's a relief to discover that much of that atmosphere has been retained for this new interpretation. Along with founder Edgar Froese, the line-up appears to still include Thorsten Quaeschning and Hoshiko Yamane, both longtime members, although the credits in the CD booklet are somewhat vague. Hoshiko is not credited, but can clearly be heard throughout the album, and despite a photograph on the back cover showing Linda Spa and Iris Camaa, they seem totally absent from this double set. However, the musicians present offer a 59 minute reinvention of `Sorcerer' that expands on the original work. Some of the pieces are now almost doubled in length, with a few completely remade, given careful modern and contemporary additions that skillfully don't ruin what made the Seventies version so special in the first place.

Looking at some of the highlights, it's immediately obvious during the imposing plodding march of `The Call' that all those pulsing, stalking, creeping beats and loops that raised tension to breaking point on the original album still permeate much of the music here. Mellotron slices cut through the gloom of `Creation' like a razor, brief electric guitar interjections offering a lonely lament one second, strangled desperation the next. Intimidating electronic slabs pound down on precious sanity over and over throughout `Vengeance', the piece now transformed into an overwhelming and sprawling cathedral of gothic majesty that wouldn't sound of place on a Goblin album. `The Journey' is a tranquil flute rumination over static pulses, the cinematic `Grind' is almost doubled in length as Hoshiko's violin cascades serenely through washes of synths filled with wonder. `Abyss' has evolved into a freeform nightmarish sound-collage drone, an icy ocean of sleek Mellotron waves submerging the listener in a suffocating electronic whirlpool. Darkly grooving almost tribal percussion beats through both `Mountain Road' and `Impressions of Sorcerer', Edgar's trademark chiming keys over Mellotron backdrops in the first, tense electric guitar histrionics that grow more driving and wild by the wailing finale in the latter. The Mellotron fuelled `Sorcerer Theme' is still relentless, but given a successful skittering drum n' bass breakdown makeover to close the main disc on.

Just as strong as the main disc is the companion CD. Even the most supportive of devoted Tangerine Dream followers would probably admit that some of their modern albums are a little samey and uninspired, but fans would be well advised to give this one a look. It displays subtlety and a lightness of touch that has been missing from many of their modern works from some times, the mix of vintage and modern elements in perfect balance with each-other. Full of slinking grooves, plenty of chill-out moments, lightly dancey beats and unhurried ambient atmospheres, thankfully all those obvious melodies, syrupy AOR-style lead saxophones and extravagant percussion elements that plagued their albums for so many years are now completely removed. This is how modern Tangerine Dream should have been sounding for some time now, and the material here is strong enough to have stood out on it's own without the `Sorcerer' `brand-name' attached to give it more attention. It's really one of the best modern style Tangerine Dream albums of the highest quality.

The guitar rumbles of `Approaching The Danger' are instantly recognizable from the 70's `Sorcerer' music, but they're really secondary to cool laid-back beats, glistening electric piano and soothing synth washes. The gentle electric piano and acoustic guitars of `Servant of Misery' are melancholic and soothing at the same time, given flight by pillows of synth clouds. The beautifully restrained slinking dark grooves of `Rain and Thunder' make it a blissfully ambient club chill-out. Gliding rising and falling synths sigh around creaking loops and snaking little dance beats for almost eight minutes, the band managing to sound effortlessly cool and relaxed. `In the Mist of the Night' returns to mystery and darkness, blowing winds whipping around drowsy Floydian electric guitar bends and classic TD period rolling loops. Both `Nebulous Jungle Path' and `Distance and Hope' perfectly compliment original themes and sounds from the `Sorcerer' album with prominent dancing beats and soothing Mellotron washes that take on a cinematic drama, as does the ethereal `Jungle on Fire', sighing synths breathing in and out with an unrushed build. `Crash at Dawn' is built around hissing electronics, sleek beats and roaring guitar soloing, but the band leave the best until last, and `Fast Ride To Danger' could almost be an outtake from `Phaedra', with the same bubbling mysterious synth moods present and suffocating unceasing loops.

Not merely a lazy knock-off of the original album or an uninspired cash-grab trading on a recognizable name, this is two hours of incredible electronic music. Not only is `Sorcerer 2014' likely going to be of great interest to fans of the vintage Seventies output of the band, but it hopefully hints at a renewed inspiration within the progressive electronic institution that is Tangerine Dream overall. Already being warmly received by longtime fans of the band, `Sorcerer 2014' sits proudly alongside the original album but more than stands on it's own merits. It has quickly become an essential and exciting Tangerine Dream release, as well as one of the most surprising electronic releases of 2014. At over forty years into their career, who would have thought we could ever make such a statement again?

Four and a half stars.