Alpha Centauri

As if the sound is breaking through your speakers, Alpha Centauri begins its journey. Crackling and swirling synthesizers seize control of your stereo. Like a call to psychedelic arms, the first track "Sunrise in the Third System" marches on with its organ. The mixing of the three tracks found on Alpha Centauri leaves something to be desired, in that the tracks are not mixed the way they would be today with each track endlessly flowing into the next like a stream. Nonetheless, when one is not paying too close attention to such details, the album seems to flow quite smoothly. The sound is not of the highest standards either, as should be expected, this being a 1971 release of "space music"…

After their first experimental album, Tangerine Dream launched themselves in the "cosmic" course, using more and more electronic / keyboards equipments instead of standard electric instruments. "Alpha Centauri" marked a new step in TD career. With this album they started explorations in synthesisers sounds, expanding experiments in sonomontage and electronic collages.

Esoteric recordings are pleased to announce the release of a newly remastered and expanded edition of Tangerine Dream’s classic 1971 album "Alpha Centauri". Recorded at the Dierks Studio in Stommeln, the album featured a line up of Edgar Froese, Chris Franke and Steve Schroyder with guests Udo Dennebourg (flute) and Roland Pualyck (synthesiser). Released in Germany on the OHR label, the influence of the album was immense, with the band creating imaginative sound-scapes previously unheard on record. This Esoteric Reactive edition is newly re-mastered and includes three bonus tracks: ‘Oszillator Planet Concert’ has never been released on CD and was issued as part of the 1971 double album “Ossiach Live”. Also included are both sides of the classic ‘Ultima Thule’ single issued in Germany in 1971. The release fully restores the original album artwork and includes a lavishly illustrated booklet.