New Agers and ambient connoisseurs rarely see eye to eye. Though both audiences seek a similar sensorial ideal, most albums are either too unsettled and dissonant for the one or too dilute and cloying for the other. Tangerine Dream splits the difference between the opposing factions. The visionary German project essentially sired both sets. TD's earliest incarnations were first into the ambient pool; their seminal albums dense with hair-raisingly abstract electronic atmospheres. Later TD, wooed by Hollywood and subdued by constant personnel changes, won the hearts of the upwardly mobile with its sprawling amalgamation of jazz, world-beat, post-'70s psychedelic rock throb, and airy synthetic drift.
Both phases of Tangerine Dream have group anchor Edgar Froese in common, and Froese's parallel solo career has satisfied adherents on either side of the fence. AQUA, his first solo album, predates Tangerine Dream's breakthrough album, 1974's PHAEDRA. Recorded using revolutionary binaural sound techniques, AQUA sweetens Froese's uncompromising experimentation with the crowd-pleasing sleight of "head music." Over four extended passages, electronics burble, shimmer, surge, swoop and speaker-pan in hazily melodic and nebulous shapes. AQUA is the consummate headphone album, a crafty, cosmic stereophonic delight guaranteed to captivate all open minds.
Photographer: Monique Froese.
Personnel: Edgar Froese (vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Christopher Franke (synthesizer); Gunther Brunschen (sound effects).
Edgar Froese fans If your an Edgar Froese or Tangerine Dream fan, then you will no doubt enjoy various aspects of this album. Sitting back with headphones on and eyes closed, one could escape the realities of every day life for a moment. Personally not my favorite album by Edgar (Stuntman is my favorite), but I will still listen to it many more times. Submitted by t.a.wilson (Perth, Western Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Off to a great start Musically, 1974 was quite a year for early Tangerine Dream fans. Along with TD's release of Phaedra, Edgar Froese (TD's one constant member) released his first solo album. A fantastic debut. Four tracks ranging from 6 1/2 to about 17 minutes in length, this music ranges from dreamy to downright eerie with plenty of unique sounds for your stereo or surround system to chew on. The sound-effects, like rippling water and jets only add to the moods. This is one of those CD's that you can put on and just let the music pass through you. I liked the two longer tracks best, but all four tracks are interesting and imaginitive. Submitted by Thegalaxybeing (Winston Salen, NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
TANGERINE DREAM FRONTMAN SOLO MUSIC FROM FROESE. SOUNDS ALOT LIKE EARLY TANGERINE DREAM & PINK FLOYD BEFORE DSOTM Submitted by a reviewer (HUDSON NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Edgar Froese fans
Off to a great start
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