Alpha Centauri

Q - 4 out of 5 - "...1971's ALPHA CENTAURI is classic krautrock..." Mojo - "...[TANGERINE DREAM'S] brooding stillness, their extended compositions that imperceptibly shift emphasis, their concealment behind a wall of glowing synthesisers, have all contributed to modern music's obsession with anonymity, ambience and the romance of the keyboard..." Record Collector - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he title track, with Udo Dennebourg's processed voiceover, is a chilly highlight."

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." Tangerine Dream's style of "space music" had not yet been refined and revolutionized as it was a couple of releases later with Phaedra and Rubycon. Regardless, for those interested in a wilder and more reckless ride on the "space music" autobahn, Alpha Centauri should satisfy the need. ~ Michael G. Breece|