Ashra @shra Vol 1 (Live in Japan)

If nothing else it comes as a pleasant surprise to see that Ashra, after all these years are still out there, recording music and performing globally to live audiences. For the more weathered of us who can remember the impact they caused in the 70's when they released their Kraut-Rock orientated albums, they indeed became one of the leaders in their field and it is good to see the band functioning as a unit after all those years.

Moving forward into the nineties and beyond their music still contains all of those essential elements that kept Ashra ahead of the pack and now with a line up of 4 members, including Techno-whizz Steve Baltes their music moves noticeably forward in league with the times. This new live album contains performances, in the form of 4 lengthy tracks recorded in Japan during February 1997.

With Echo Waves we begin with a low drone underlying a mid tempo and slightly resonant sequencer pattern. Then a rhythm guitar section is added with an enhanced bass sequence. Light percussive elements take hold and a more solid and a Berlin School-esq loop enters. A trance bass rhythm courtesy of Steve Baltes is then introduced but fades a while afterwards to reveal additional guitar textures and effects. At around 12 minutes the piece moves into darker territory with a wash of hybrid effects and delayed guitar theme. The piece then transposes with another solid rhythm section and a rather effective guitar theme that is reminiscent of Edgar Froese his best. The track eventually reaches its finale with an Acoustic percussion section.

The oddly titled Twelve Samples begins as the first with dark sound currents. The obscure and occasional orchestral stab textures eventually lead on to a mid tempo low sequencer pattern. It is not long before light percussion effects are added. An effective electric guitar solo enters along with typically suitable synth chords. The unusual orchestral stab remains in the mix throughout. Intermittent voice textures are added together with a steady rhythm guitar section under a subdued synth string theme the latter of which gradually becoming more prominent as the piece progresses. The rhythm section fades out at just after the 9-minute mark but the piece soon gathers momentum once again under a new set of light percussion and sonic textures. Another of those phenomenal guitar solos, provided by none other than Manuel Gottsching continues the piece together with occasional spatial effects and a suitable acoustic percussion loop.

Timbuktu is the shortest piece on the album at just over 8 minutes starting off with an effects based loop, which almost sounds like a subdued sequencer pattern. A strong acoustic percussion section enters together with guitar textures. A more designated percussion loop takes hold and the piece trundles along to its finale. It is interesting to note that this track has a slightly Jamaican orientation.

It's back to dark drone territory with the final track Niemand Lacht Ruckwarts, which incidentally is also the longest piece on the album. Acoustic bass percussion enters with delayed spatial effects. Synth String chords help to add atmosphere and further direction to the piece before a mid tempo bass sequence enters. An effective sequencer top line begins under added the added textures of light percussive effects and distant guitar. A spatial chord section with additional shimmering textures provides the listener with a slight change of direction. Another rhythm guitar section enters and is closely followed by a trance styled rhythm loop and an assortment of acoustic percussion. At the 12-minute mark the percussion elements disappear under a rhythm guitar based theme. It's not long before another sequencer pattern enters, although this time with a slightly organic feel, then the rhythm bass loop returns. At just over the 15-minute mark the track moves into an acoustic percussion only section, shortly returning to the sequencer pattern at around 17 minutes. A further bass loop is added along with an added and somewhat delayed guitar theme.