Reviews Zone

Tangerine Dream: The Pink Years Albums 1970-1973 (Esoteric Recordings Reactive label) Out now

 

 


4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

 

 

This newly re-mastered four-CD set offers up the first four albums by Tangerine Dream, originally released on the Ohr label in Germany between 1970 and 1973.

Known by fans as “The Pink Years” albums. “Electronic Meditation” was recorded in Berlin in October 1969 and featured the first line-up of Edgar Froese (guitars, organ, tapes, sound effects), Klaus Schulze (drums, percussion) and Conrad Schnitzler (cello, violin, typewriter).  Yes, you read that correctly; typewriter!

Upon its release in 1970, the album would define a genre of music and herald the massive creative musical explosion that would emerge in Germany in the early 1970s.

The follow-up, “Alpha Centauri” was recorded at the Dierks studio in Stommeln and featured a line-up of Edgar Froese, Chris Franke and Steve Schroyder with guests Udo Dennebourg (flute) and Roland Pualyck (synthesiser).

Released in 1971, the influence of the album was immense, with the band creating imaginative soundscapes previously unheard on record.

“Zeit”, released in August 1972, a double album with one lengthy track per side, was recorded at the Dierks studio once again, and featured a guest appearance by Florian Fricke of another legendary ambient German group, Popol Vuh.

One of Tangerine Dream’s finest early albums, “Zeit” was enthusiastically championed in the UK by the late and legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel, and was the group’s major breakthrough.

“Atem”, released in 1973, was the band’s last release on the Ohr label & heralded the beginning of Tangerine Dream’s wider international acclaim. It enjoyed success outside of Germany and eventually led to the group signing to the newly formed Virgin label later in 1973.

This clamshell box of “The Pink Years Albums 1970 – 1973” features all four of their first albums, newly mastered, packaged in replica card sleeves and it comes with a poster. A must for loyal TG fans and those who have not yet lived the dream!

 

By Christopher Weston

 

 


1 out of 5 stars (1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
2 out of 5 stars (2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’

 

 

 

 

Social

Follow us for all the latest news!

This function has been disabled for Music Republic Magazine.