ALPHA CENTAURI

With Tangerine Dream's debut album not even released, founding member Klaus Schulze departed, frustrated by the musical limitations Edgar Froese was putting upon him. The third founding member Conrad Schnitzler also left but his departure was absent of animosity.

Thus, Froese found himself the sole founding member before work even started on the second Tangerine Dream album. Chris Franke, a 17 year old drummer and co-founder of Agitation Free was taken on, and shortly afterwards, organist Steve Schroeder would also join the line up. Significant as the line up changes were, especially the arrival of the (since) long serving Franke, the most important arrival here was the first appearance of VCS3 synthesiser. The use of synthesiser here is not nearly as dominant as it would become on future releases, its prime function being to provide strange and fascinating new noises.

In terms of musical content, Froese quickly guides the Tangs away from the intense experimentation of the debut album, towards the atmospheric ambience which will become their trademark. There is still an emphasis on the abstract here, but in a much softer and more palatable context.

The album contains just three tracks, the shortest of which "Sunrise In The Third System" opens proceedings. This four minute piece features slow moving organ overlaid with spacey sounds and effects. At the time of its release, it would have sound far more revolutionary that it perhaps does now, albeit with a clear nod to Pink Floyd. The 13 minute "Fly And Collision Of Comas Sola" was the only other track on side one of the original LP. The track features developing organ sounds and freeform flute, the synths being once again used for effect rather than as a lead instrument. As the track builds towards its conclusion, we have what must be the earliest example of post rock, with over dominant drums gradually submerging all in their path. Included in this track is a theme which would be extracted for the rare single "Ultima Thule", q.v.

The centrepiece of the album is the 22 minute title track, which occupied all of the second side of the LP. The extraordinary length of this track does not imply however that this is another "Supper's ready" or "Thick as a brick"; nothing happens quickly here. The track is more in keeping with "Electronic meditation", with lazy, ambient sounds and a generally sparse atmosphere. The synths, while present once again, are less obvious than on the two previous tracks.

In summary, "Alpha Centauri" sees Tangerine Dream continuing to experiment with sounds, moods and styles. The emphasis here relates more to the preceding "Electronic meditation" than it does to the many albums which would define the Tangs over subsequent years. This is though, a far more listenable album than the debut, due to the sounds and instruments used being generally easier on the ear. Do not be misled though, this is still somewhat challenging.

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