THE PRIVATE TAPES VOL. 6

First of all I want to thank Tom Hayes for the info on this particular volume and the whole set in general. "The Private Tapes" were released in 1996 as a 6 disc set of previously unreleased studio and live tracks that Manuel Gottsching was a part of over the years. Manuel is of course the guitar player extraordinaire for ASH RA TEMPEL, ASHRA, COSMIC JOKERS etc. Instead of doing this chronologically they distributed different live and studio tracks from 1973-1979 over these six volumes and then added one long live track of 24 minutes or more from either a 1971 or 1973 concert. This particular disc has three tracks from the late seventies by ASHRA then a 54 minute live bomb from ASH RA TEMPEL from 1971.

First up is "Hausaufgabe" a studio track from ASHRA from 1978. The lineup here and for the following two tracks as well consists of Gottsching (guitar / synths) Lutz Ulbritz (AGITATION FREE) (guitar / synths) and Harald Grosskopf (WALLENSTEIN) (drums / synths). This first track kicks in quickly to an uptempo soundscape with guitars out front. Synths then lead as moog throbs after 5 minutes. Great sound ! "Ice Train" is live from 1979 by AHRA once again. The drums lead early then we get some nice guitar work after 1 1/2 minutes and 4 1/2 minutes, but throughout really. "Phantasus" is another live track from ASHRA and again from 1979. This is catchy and surprisingly upbeat.

The final track is the 54 minute live "Ein Wurdiger Abschluss" from ASH RA TEMPEL in 1971. Gottsching on guitar, Schulze on drums and Enke on bass. The guitar almost jangles in and out as spacey sounds help out. It settles back before 3 minutes as it trips along. It's getting louder before 6 minutes as sounds echo. It's becoming intense before 10 minutes but not for long. It's spacey after 11 minutes then it builds again before 13 1/2 minutes. Intense 15 minutes in. A beat then takes over. A catchy rhythm before 20 minutes. The guitar goes from threatening to set fire to the soundscape to burning it down 26 minutes in. It settles back 33 minutes in then the guitar starts to become prominant again after 36 minutes. Intensity 38 minutes in. The drums become the focus then we get a calm 45 1/2 minutes in as the bass comes to the fore. It's building 47 1/2 minutes in as beautiful sounds pulse. Here we go ! The guitar is ripping it up !

The only reason I have this one is because of my Brother In Law but I wish I had the whole set. Maybe it will be re-issued one day but until then i'm quite happy with this release.