E2-E4

Folks around here should definitely be cautious when approaching this highly original effort from Manuel, because unlike what he did with Ash Ra Tempel, Ashra or even on his first solo album - you can actually dance to this. I have been a part of the electro underground in Copenhagen for some years now and therefore also been introduced to several of the founding fathers - the head honchos of the genre, but never ever come across anybody who knows Manuel Göttsching. Well this avid listener feels obligated, whenever he meets like minded spirits, to broaden their repertoires and views, and I´ll tell you that this particular record struck a chord within these electrified beings, who normally only pay attention to b-b-b-beats and bas. One actually grabbed a hold on me with tears in his eyes and told me, he had been searching for this record all of his life...

E2-E4 is a precursor of what would happen 10 years after its release - remember this album was made in 1981, well before The Orb, Prodigy, Future Sound of London etc. The music is loops upon loops, with rhythmic orgasmic synths that squeek and squak just like your momma when she´s jumping on mice in sheer terror. In the background there seems to be giant oceanic waves of sound that slowly and very controlled lap up against the small myriad of melodies that feed off each other to form new melodies. An ever moving mosaic of sound with minuscule changes, which makes you feel as if you were floating on a river raft all according to the flow of water beneath you - and when Manuel finally whips out his guitar, you could swear that you were attached to a trillion helium balloons flying on warm summery breezes high above the earth. The way he plays is so gentle and warm - he sort of makes you feel at ease and welcome inside his floating universe. There are times when I get goosebumps - and to be quite honest, that is something of a new experience for me when I am dancing...

This record is a voyage then, and one you need not be afraid of. It inspires dancing, meditation, thoughtfulness, relaxation and the act of love - with this album being one of the only prog ones I own, that I successfully put on when I´ve been lucky enough to bag a female creature, without them saying something along the lines of: Turn that crazy shit off - I am going insane!!! Had this been the Progressive Electronic Archives, I´d give this shining jewel a five.

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