On their new album 'Raum', Tangerine Dream develop the concept of its precursor EP (Probe 6 8) further. Composed & produced with full access to Edgar Froese's Cubase arrangements (& Otari Tape Archive with recordings from 1977-2013), Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoshiko Yamane & Paul Frick deliver late-night real time compositions combined with classic studio productions, sequencer driven haunting soundscapes alternate with anthemic warm synthesizers.
Composed in a time of social distancing & cancelled shows, the tracks cannot exactly be recreated (or will at least need significant re-instrumentation for a live performance). With the 17-minute 'In 256 Zeichen' they lay the fundament of this record. 'Continuum', with its repetitive sequence & broken beat shows glimpses of acid sounds & increasing choral atmospheres. 'You Are Always On Time' is built on PPG wavetable sounds & eerie field recordings. The title track 'Raum' makes a nod towards the early live studio performances like 'Zeit' & 'Phaedra' - the melody accompanied by a chorus-like Roland Jupiter 8 part. An ambient rave Moog Minitaur sequence highlights the final peak, till the violin slowly transports the listener out. A heavy Moog bass marks the beginning & the end of this 15-minute piece.
'Raum' is the band's second studio album after the passing of the founder Edgar Froese in 2015. With deep respect for the sound of the previous five decades, this record continues in the ever-evolving pathway of Tangerine Dream.
The band will be supporting the release of 'Raum' with live shows in 2022, starting with an extensive headline tour of the UK in March. 'Raum' will be release as a gatefold double LP on 140g black vinyl.