ATEM

Wind...then a sequence of 4 ascending notes, three drum hits (2-pause-1). Who else than Tangerine dream can compose a 20 minutes instrumental suite based on the repetition of for notes and 3 drum hits?

Of course what makes the first part of "Atem" good to listen to is the big amount of variations over this incredibly simple theme and in addition all the excellent percussion work made by Christophe Franke contributes in giving to the suite a lighter weight. While the 4 movements of which Zeit is composed require attention and are totally meditative, Atem is driven into dark realms by the obsessive percussions.

It's only after about 6 minutes that the percussions quit and the organ is left alone. It's like a starship which leaves a planet's athmosphere: first propulsion and noise, then the quietness of the space with no-gravity. The journey is started and the little dissonances seem to signify that there's something outside. This part is similar to the chaotic part of Floyd's Atom Heart Mother, only less chaotic. Square waves come and go. Steps(?). Is it here where the Vangelis' Hell is from?

The suite proceeds quietly, but a high pitched note followed by winds and by a bass square wave note increase the tension. Let's then proceed to the end of the journey.

The side B contains three tracks. "Fauni-Gena" has a classic contemporary feeling. Also it starts rhythmless, but there's a "flute" melody. It reminds me to György Ligeti. If you think that Ligeti is one of the authors used by Kubrick for the soundtrack of his "Space Odyssey" the reference is clear. I think to "Gayane's Adagio" in particular.

"Circulation Of Events" is on the same mood of the previous, but it's more similar to Zeit than to the previous track. It developes in a slow crescendo made of square waves and an organ chord that sometimes is major, sometimes minor and often unstructured. The music is "atonal". The sporadic accents coming from Froese's guitar and the rhythm given by a keyboard are not far from the most experimental works of Vangelis.

"Wahn" (Illusion in German) starts with recorded voices. Then percussions. This is classic contemporary music. Try to listen to Luigi Nono or Karl Heinz Stockhausen. The music of Tangerine Dream in this period is not so distant from them.

What I mean is that the music of this period of Tangerine Dream can help in "making the ears" able to understand a very challenging kind of music like that. (They are still a bit easier).

4 stars