Plays Tangerine Dream features re-recordings by several present and past members of the band. This issue will start with a more classic approach to 13 songs created within the 40 years timespan of one of the most creative bands around. The songs are re-performed partly by the original composer or by musicians who had been or still are associated with the band. Plays Tangerine Dream can be taken as a synonym for travelling back and forwards within the groups unlimited sound universe.
Jacinta is a Portuguese jazz singer. "Day Dream" is her second studio album. Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Irving Mills and Thelonious Monk are the bold choices for the repertoire!
Steve Khan's second release was a self-produced/arranged gem. It was similar in many respects to his prior debut, yet fans will probably recall this release as their all-around favorite from Steve Khan's '70s era recordings. The horn section and solos are still there, but Khan does more conversational soloing with the reed lines. This is especially evident on "An Eye Over Autumn," and its fusion jam-fest.
The Blue Man might seem, overall, tighter, focused, and polished, and Khan's guitar tone more overdriven, more jazz rocking, and intensely penetrating in solos and intricate ostinato embellishment around song themes. The delicate reverb, delay, and crystal-clear tones on his solos are rarely heard done so well these days…
Piano phenom Eldar Djangirov has most certainly heard it all before: his similarities to Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, his astounding speed, the way he's able to move his way through some of jazz's most intricate numbers, that he's played with some of the genre's biggest names, at some of the most important venues; that all of this has been accomplished before his 20th birthday. And the amazing thing about this is that all of these statements are completely true. Eldar is an exceptionally gifted pianist, regardless of age, very skilled at improvising upon a theme without completely obliterating it, alluding to it constantly while still adding his own distinct voice. All of this is portrayed very well on Eldar Live at the Blue Note…
A rather confusing package for those with a newfound interest in Tangerine Dream, The Essential Tangerine Dream might appear to be a three-in-one compilation by glancing at the front, since it lists three titles - two of which happen to be title tracks of Tangerine Dream albums - seemingly picked at random. As it is a single-disc compilation that features full-length versions of tracks by a band that thrived in the ten- to 20-minute format, the set is more like a sampler than an all-encompassing anthology designed to satisfy the curious. That said, this is an excellent sampler, one that should spark further interest in the group's deep discography.
Steve Weingart is one of today's hottest keyboardists. His fluent style is amazing. His compositions are really good. In fact many of the compositions on Dave Weckl's CDs from Transitions to Multiplicity have Steve's signature writing style. This CD, Life Times, is just a wonderful blend of groove tunes. His wife also sings a bit on the songs. She's a great musician as well.
The material of this album was composed during Tangerine Dream's North American tour back in August/September 1988. Weeks after weeks in tourbusses, planes, hotels and various locations gave the two guys here the opportunity to get musically into something different off stage. The plan was to release the stuff as an on and off the road album later in the year. The road feeling as well as the summertime in the states had been a strong influence for these compositions. The album was completed while hanging out after the tour at a friend's place in LA. Because of various reasons the album had a delay for over about seventeen years before it now will be presented to the public. Actually, this record is composed and performed by Edgar Froese and Ralf Wadephul (who also toured the US with the band) - Paul Haslinger was not involved in this production…