DEPARTURE FROM THE NORTHERN WASTELAND

Before the official release of the Departure From the Northern Wasteland LP in 1978, a 7-inch promotional LP was made available to the general public. I was in college at the time, and my roommate showed me an advertisement for the promo in the issue of ROLLING STONE that he was reading. The promo was either free or very cheap, because I sent away for it. I was not familiar with Michael Hoenig, but my roommate knew that he was a member of Tangerine Dream and predicted that I would not be disappointed.

Even though my record collection back then included albums by Yes, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Crack the Sky, and even Vangelis, I was not yet a self-acknowledged prog-head. I listened to the promo once when it arrived, had a neutral opinion of it, and added it to my stack of 45s, where it remained neglected for decades.

When I finally listened to it again, as a fully-fledged prog-head, I was extremely impressed. The record had two excerpts from the title track, and excerpts from "Hanging Garden Transfer" and "Sun and Moon". It prompted me to buy the LP, which I finally found in a used record store. Upon listening to the LP, I was astounded.

The track "Voices of Where" prevents this album from achieving 5-star status. I think it was no accident that the promo omitted an excerpt from this song. The odd vocals at the end are very out of place. But that is the only negative comment I have about this album.

The music is beautiful, relaxing, and timeless. It captures the imagination. I echo my roommate's advice from long ago ? you will not be disappointed.