PHASE BY PHASE: A RETROSPECTIVE '76-'81

Peter Baumann (ex-Tangerine Dream) released a handful of solo albums during the late 70's. This compilation is an honest recapitulation of his career, delievering the best from his first Romance 76 to Trans-Harmonic Nights (1979) and Repeat-Repeat (1981). The musical aesthetism and style include a lot of variety and specific moods, sometimes very closed to TD's spaced out kosmische leads and sometimes closer to clinical, cold electro pop. The album starts with the disconcerted part of his work with the kitschy, almost dancing disco-like Repeat Repeat. Hopefully we have rapidly the pleasure to re-listen to the introspective, delicate and shimmering electronic piece This Day (from Trans-Harmonic Nights) with its icy hpyno-minimal patterns, serene and deep melodic waves. Clearly one of my personal favourites from Baumann. This album also includes the majestic-experimental epic Meadow of Infinity I & II (originally released in Romance 76). The dense, enigmatic and ambiental invokation Phase by Phase is also included. An interesting selection that stresses Baumann's sense of musical ecclectism.