Tangerine Dream
Great Wall Of China
Yes, appetite duly whetted by ‘Sohoman’, I know we are all waiting for the next “archive” release (looks like ‘Soundmill Navigator’ is favourite - 1976 live concert - should be out in a few months time) but lets not forget TD are still in prolific writing form and new releases continue to pop up with almost Schulzian frequency.

The latest album is a soundtrack, with just Edgar and Jerome performing the music. ‘Meng Tian’ opens the album and it is an excellent start, with deft sequences detailing the chugging beat. Rich pads flesh out the sound, with contrast provided by obtuse samples layered in a rich tapestry. 2:30 into the track it sounds so familiar that I’m sure I’ve heard this already - ‘TimeSquare’ perhaps? Not being a student of their recent work it’s hard to be precise, but deja vu returns as the track closes with a beautiful cameo section which again bristles with familiarity - perhaps T-Bass UK’s ‘Network of the Heart’?

Either way, as this album progresses with track after track of compositional precision another common trait of modern TD albums surfaces. The opening track always sounds relatively fresh and alive but, like chewing gum, the satisfaction gradually diminishes as you get further into the CD. Sure there are some fine tracks here, track 3 ‘The South Gate Knights’ for example with the superb sequencing, but to listen to and individually characterise each piece is a difficult task indeed, so subtle are the genetic differences.

The Great Wall is a unique and remarkable feature, and perhaps it’s unrealistic to expect (modern) TD to produce an album which fits the same description. This is the standard TD fayre of late, performed with utmost precision and professionalism. How different the album would have sounded if they were writing about a garden wall is open to conjecture. (GG)

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