POLAND - THE WARSAW CONCERT*

As an instrumental band, TD were one of the few western bands allowed to play in Eastern Europe. This double CD is a compilation of two concerts in Warsaw during winter 1983. "Poland" consists in four 20 minutes pieces featuring previously unreleased material. Although the weather was very cold, the trio offered here a magistral performance.

The title track is the highlight of the record and simply one of TD's best epic from the 80's, with "Mojave Plan" and "Tangram Set 1". Less melodic than the other tracks, "Poland" marks the return of meditative long sequences that take time to progress, like in the 70's with Peter Baumann. It can be divided in two parts, both are equally excellent and have a cosmic finale. The sound is similar to their last studio epic, "Sphix Lightning", but the interest is much superior. A mystical soundtrack to explore an ancient pyramid on an alien planet. Timeless.

"Tangent" sounds like an assembly of 4 different short tracks. Part 1 is rather slow and melancholic. Part 2 is an unusual interesting TD composition, as the sequenced synth evoke an old broken machine, while unveiling a soft melody. Part 3 is a more catchy, robotic tune with spacey guitar. Part 4, known as "Rare Bird", is a poppy melodic encore. A quite heterogeneous track with various ambiances, but that nicely surprises the listener as each part has a good structured progression.

"Barbakane" may be less remarkable, but is nonetheless good and brings a different atmosphere. A piece of the delicate synth theme from the beginning will be remixed by 90's ambient band PLONE. It is followed by an ambient passage with strange sounds and oriental bits. Similitudes can be found with "Convention of the 24", on the "White Eagle" album. The middle section is more melodic and dynamic, while the final section is more experimental. In fact, this last part does not sound like it was recorded in the 80's. It may have influenced modern ambient/IDM bands. This passage was cut down in the single CD edition, but this does not really matter.

The final track "Horizon" is comparable to the final track from "Encore", "Desert Dream". They share the same structure: an alternation of mysterious, atmospheric phases and electronic sequenced melodies. However, the balance is much better than on "Encore". The final part is a reinterpretation of the "Diamond Diary" theme from the "Thief" soundtrack, which had become a concert favorite with its frenetic galloping loop.

One the best lives from TANGERINE DREAM with "Ricochet", "Poland" is a progressive electronic masterpiece. Highly recommended. Unfortunately, it's also the last great release by the german pioneers.

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