Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Tangerine Dream - Zeit [Esoteric Reactive/Cherry Red - 2011]

“Zeit” is the third album from German electronica /ambient innovators Tangerine Dream. It was originally released in 1972, and it saw the band taking their early & experimental space ambient sound to its epic & extreme conclusion- the album offered up four epic tracks with fall between the seventeen to near on twenty minute mark a piece, each taking up a side of vinyl on its orignal release. This 2011 reissue remasters the album, adds in an extra disc of un-released material, and offers up a new expanded booklet.

The albums four tracks or four movements ("Birth of Liquid Plejades", "Nebulous Dawn", "Origin of Supernatural Probabilities" & "Zeit") saw the project slowing down & focus their sound on a more darkened, deep and often dense space type vibe. I guess you’d say this is one of the first true dark ambient releases. “Zeit” tracks were built from a drifting yet focused & deeply atmospheric mixture of Moog( Played by Florian Fricke  of Popol Vuh), EMS VCS 3 analogue synthesizers, various synths, sound generators, Vibraphone, cymbals, cello & guitar.  Each track here has its own distinctive feel, yet there is a feeling of flow & connection between all four tracks, so one really does feel like their going on a dark yet heady intergalactic trip.  I won’t go into track by track break down as I think that would spoil the effect of the album on first time listener…but trust me this is a dark, heady & epic work that has to be heard by anyone who has even a passing interest in any form of moody/ atmospheric music.

The second disc with this release brings together the  complete Klangwald Performance- this was a live show recorded in February 1972  at  Cologne's WDR Sendesaal Hall.  The disc is made up of two tracks “Klangwald(Part One)” & "Klangwald (Part Two)". Part One comes in at just over the thirty seven minute mark, and Part Two at just under the forty one minute mark.  Each track finds the band in great creative jam type form, as the tracks ebb, drift & morph along. Each track nicely mixes together more free-form/ abstract “Zeit” like compositions with more divined early electronica /ambient moments.  These recordings have never been commercial available before, and only have appeared on Tangerine Tree fan CDR collection- which was highly ltd.
 

Finishing off this reissue we have 14 page inlay booklet which features a new six page essay on the albums creation, its scope and it legacy. Also included are archive pictures from the time, and the albums originally artwork ect.

I've reviewed the double CD version of this release, but it’s also available in a very plush looking double vinyl box set edition. This features:  gatefold double LP edition on blue vinyl with the rare Ohr label insert, a lavishly illustrated deluxe 7" x 7" book with essay, Three postcards, and the double CD edition too. The box is an ltd numbered edition, so I’m not sure if you can still get hold of it…but surely it’s worth a try if you’re a collector.

For me “Zeit” has always stood as one of my most favourite, inspiring and at times difficult TD albums- I’ve returned to it many, many times over the years, and each time it’s felt as timeless, alien and darkly beautiful as it always was. This new reissues it clearly the ultimate version, and with the extra disc of unreleased Klangwald performance this is a must have item for both fans of the album, and those who have never heard it before.

Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5

Roger Batty
Latest Reviews

Tangerine Dream - Zeit
“Zeit” is the third album from German electronica /ambient innovators Tangerine Dream. It was originally released in 1972, and it saw the band taking their e...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
220324   Patrick - Patrick( UHD/ Blu Ray)
220324   Dadawah - Peace And Love
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom