Peter Baumann's solo debut was recorded in mid-1976, at roughly the same time as his final studio work with Tangerine Dream. He'd remain on board for their 1977 tour, as sampled on Encore, but then fully re-directed his energies into setting up his own studio (and later a record label), and some more solo work to follow on from this great little album.
IRomance 76, with its striking 'half Bowie-inspired' cover portrait, also audibly divides neatly into two halves. A side of lean, stripped back melodic electronica comes first, then an ambitious orchestrated suite fills side two. Berlin-school sequencing is present, but in short, concentrated doses, as Bicentennial Presentation, Romance and Phase By Phase allow Baumann's talent for melody and atmosphere to shine. It's not a million miles away from the sound of Stratosfear, especially on Phase By Phase, but much more succinct.
The Meadow Of Infinity suite, with its interlude appropriately titled The Glass Bridge, is a different offering altogether, with Baumann helped out by members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. It begins with martial percussion and choral vocals, then the 'Bridge' brings in strings and oboe (not sure if these are still real instruments or mellotron/otherwise sampled, as the MPO are only credited for Meadow Pt. 1), against minimal electronics. Part 2 gradually builds all the elements together for a striking finale (fairly sure there's mellotron here), making for a memorable 14 minutes of symphonic prog in total. Rather than pursue this angle though, Baumann would continue to make stripped-down electronic music, as would be seen on his second solo album - coming next week.
pw: sgtg
Peter Baumann at SGTG:
Heh heh - but will you go so far as to post Repeat Repeat? :p
ReplyDeleteSide note to this one : the appropriate bonus track for this album - and one would assume it was probably done around the same time - is "Haunted Heights" from the side of unreleased solo tracks in the TD Virgin '70-'80 box set. Can't imagine it wouldn't be on YouTube.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. Loving the blog as always, great to have you back after your break.
Any chance of Repeat Repeat?
Cheers,
PB
Haunted Heights is definitely on the newest remaster of Cyclone as a bonus, along with a Froese track I wouldn't mind getting hold of. Been pondering whether another set of TD remasters is worth investing in, not sure what the overall sound's like.
ReplyDeleteDon't have Repeat Repeat - Virgin (or whoever owns the rights these days) could really do with putting that back in circulation.
They put it on Cyclone? How bizarre. It has no business whatsoever on there. If it belongs on any TD release, it would be Stratosfear.
DeleteThank you for this. I hope there will be more from former members of TD
ReplyDeleteGreat album...Takes me back to the late 70's (I was 17 years old in 1976 and sucking up new music like a sponge...:-) ) I started to listen to this kind of "Atmospheric" Music...and loved it! Thanks Alan! Your Music Blog is great. Danny Milo.
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