First issued in 2017, Quantum Gate celebrates the 50th anniversary of Tangerine Dream. This is the first studio album the band released after the 2015 passing of visionary founder Edgar Froese. The surviving members — Thorsten Quaeschning, Ulrich Schnauss and Hoshiko Yamane — recorded the sprawling nine-song album in an attempt to maintain the atmospheric sound and scope the group is known for. For all inents and purposes, they succeeded. Now, they have reissued Quantum Gate with a second disc called Quantum Key.
There are plenty of sequencers and synths to satisfy fans of Tangerine Dream, as much as there are new and wild soundscapes. The ‘gate’ swings wide open with the loud and slightly scary “Sensing Elements.” This flows into a lower popping, popcorn -sounding arpeggio for “Roll The Seven Twice.” The especially lively, crackling synth movement of “Tear Down The Great Skies” dramatically builds on a lilting single-note synth for six or so minutes, encapsulating Froese in the process. Throughout, there’s a metallic barrage, sweeping strings and catchy choruses. Those wonderful touchstones are what Tangerine Dream followers have lovingly lost their senses to for years.
The four-song Quantum Key begins with “Genesis Of Precious Thoughts,” comprises voicings and strings over bleats and burps, with piano and violin seeping in. Things stay frantic throughout as the synths prod us along all the way through the four tunes here. “Electron Bonfire” could actually be part of Giorgio Moroder’s oeuvre, breezy and 80s Miami Vice sounding as it is. There’s a real strong melody line to attach to one’s ear here. “Mirage Of Reality” reveals an isolated key layering under distinctive keys washes, flowing into an all-out sequencer conclusion of wood percussion sounds and waves.
Founded in West Berlin, Tangerine Dream has inspired numerous genres and bands, received seven Grammy nominations, and released over 100 studio albums. Quantum Gate and Quantum Key sustains Edgar Froese’s legend, while allowing Thorsten Quaeschning, Ulrich Schnauss and Hoshiko Yamane to create a few unique sounds of their own.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
