Ash Ra Tempel / Ashra (& related) ~ Germany

Schwingungen (1972)

Here is the last of the classic Ash Ra Tempel albums that I hadn't added to UMR prior. 

---2/9/01 

Schwingungen, Ash Ra Tempel's second effort, is a vastly underrated album even by ardent fans of the band. Perhaps it's due to the absence of Klaus Schulze? The controversy here surrounds John L., Ash Ra Tempel's one and only vocalizer (singer just isn't an appropriate term here). He is, to say the least, the Krautrock movement's supreme example of a paranoid schizophrenic. For those who are familiar with the LSD ramblings of Dawn on Brainticket's Cottonwood Hill, then John L. is her male equivalent. 'Darkness: Flowers Must Die' just about says it all. And boy does John L. say it all! While a steady rhythm section chugs along (not near the intensity Schulze brought on the debut however) - there are sax bursts, fuzz guitar flashes, tribal drums, and other phased sounds and noises creating a very edgy atmosphere. Through the chaos, John L. is screaming and anguishing (through electronic effects) about the decay of cities and the Earth. Flowers must die, flowers must die", "Die, die, die, die ,die..." and all hell breaks loose. Here, Manuel Göttsching pulls off the most angry and concise guitar solo of his career, and at the end, if the listener is not left in a heap in the middle of the floor - well, they're just not getting involved! In keeping with Ash Ra Tempel's wild side/mellow side theme introduced on the first album, the flip 19 minute composition is an exercise in choral, tranquil electronic beauty - recalling Pink Floyd's Saucerful Of Secrets at their most cosmic and trippy. An album that should leave one emotionally exhausted if paying careful attention.

---12/31/23

All these years later, and I still get a charge out of this album. The album itself perfectly represents a time and place (early 70s Germany). And my personal history created another time and place experience with the album (this would be the later 1980s for me). Timeless.

Ownership: 

1972 Ohr (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 1988. 

2004 Arcangelo (CD). Papersleeve edition as part of the Ash Ra Tempel promo box set. Acquired in 2004.

1//88; 1992; 2/9/01 (review); 2004; 12/31/23 (update)

Join Inn (1973)

---8/21/99

On Ash Ra Tempel's third album Join Inn we're introduced to Manuel Göttsching's longtime lovely girlfriend Rosi Mueller (who previously only had cameos on Schwingungen and Seven Up). And we get to hear the pleasure of Klaus Schulze back in the drumkit saddle. On this album he provides less drums and more keyboards than on the debut. 'Freak N' Roll' opens the album in typical heavy fashion. Schulze's trademark machine gun drumming technique comes to the fore very early this time - and one would almost expect them to outdo the phenomenal 'Amboss' from the first album. But they climaxed a bit too early and had to settle for Göttsching's unique guitar rambling combined with the Enke/Schulze energetic rhythm section to make it until the finish. 'Jenseits', however, is Ash Ra Tempel's crowning spatial moment. Here, Schulze shows his brilliance with electronics, laying down a tranced out locust-at-night sound while Hartmut Enke defines what a bass guitar can do for space music. Göttsching's guitar just shimmers and flows. But the highlight on this song for me is Rosi's seductive yet fragile and innocent voice whispering on top. I have absolutely no idea what she's going on about, which adds to the exoticism and mystery for non-German speakers.

---11/30/23

Like with Sandrose and East of Eden's Mercator Projected, I'm not sure I'm going to get more peak moments out of Join Inn. Even though it's been 12 years since my last listen, it's as if I knew every note when hearing it last night. I've played this album a ton over the years. That being said, it also maintains its 5 star rating. One of my all-time favorites.

Ownership: 

1973 Ohr (LP). Acquired in 1999.

1973 PDU (LP). This version has Klaus Schulze's name in the marquee. Acquired in 1987.

2010 Belle Antique / MG.ART (CD). Papersleeve. Acquired in 2011.

1987; 8/21/99 (review); 2/2/01; 12/9/11; 11/30/23 (update)

John L. and Adamah - Lonesome in Overdrive (1996)

---Dec 2004

A magnificent album that hardly anyone knows about, and it features an original iconic Krautrock freak!

About a couple of times a year, something will arrive that re-lights my collecting fire. Not long ago, it was Del Jones Positive Vibes. Prior to that it had been Berits Halsband that reawakened me. If you saw this CD in the store, you’d pass right over it. The artwork and lettering look like a new age album on the Narada label. It’s dedicated to Greenpeace and half the songs are about whales. It’s subtitled Malinuuga Music, which according to the liner notes is the indigenous rhythm of Europe, unrelated to African and Native American percussion. Yea, well whoopdee doo.

Well boys and girls, the reality is this: Had I sent you a tape and stated "Adamah: Unreleased Ohr album from 1972", you would have had ZERO problem believing me. This is the most authentic slice of Krautrock I’ve heard post 1980. In spirit, sound and intensity. Adamah is not some new age wuss who misses his mommy, but rather a nine piece group that features all sorts of analog synthesizers, flute, clarinet, violin, steel guitar, electric guitar, sitar, various homemade stringed instruments, female vocals and no less than 3 full time percussionists. The production sounds as if Dieter Dirks did a number on it, with loads of phasing and other studio trickery. There is wah-wah, fuzz and all sorts of wild moments found throughout. There’s even the female narration in German ala Ash Ra Tempel's Join Inn. And there’s not even a HINT this is done for a retro market or that it’s the 1990s. This is truly organic, time has completely stood still. And if you are paying close attention, yes, this is THE John L. of Ash Ra Tempel's Schwingungen fame! Here he’s dressed in full-blown traditional Jewish attire, complete with flat brimmed hat, long beard and side curls. And he’s holding one of those aforementioned homemade electric stringed instruments with the Star of David on it. And he sounds pretty much the same as he did on the ART album, with chanting, yelling, semi-singing. Most of the album is instrumental, so his vocals are once again a curious, but fascinating, addition. With a 24 year separation between albums, and both masterpieces, John L. has proven he's one of the true creative freaks of our era.

Ownership: 1996 Green Tree (CD)

12//04 (review); 9/19/17 (update)

 

Starring Rosi (1973)

---2/9/01

Starring Rosi is Ash Ra Tempel's 5th album, and a departure from the intensity of the previous three studio albums, as well as the drugged out live Seven Up outing. Gottsching recruited Dieter Dierks (Scorpions, a million others) not only for his usual superb production ability, but also for bass guitar duty. As well, Kosmische Kourier / Wallenstein standby drummer Harald Grosskopf makes his presence felt (and would later join Manuel in his Ashra trio format of the late 70s and early 80s). As stated in the premise, the album's contents are completely different from the emotional workouts of their previous studio offerings. The mood is light and carefree. And it appears as if Manuel and Rosi are just having a fun date here (she does glow radiantly on the album cover, one must admit). The guitar style shown on the latter half of Join Inn's 'Freak N' Roll' makes its presence on 'Interplay of Forces' and 'Laughter Loving'. 'Schizo' recalls the intensity of the earlier albums, but is sadly all too short. Through it all we have Rosi's lovely spoken voice (in English verse the German of Join Inn) and a bit of ill-advised singing from Manuel (something he fortunately gave up quickly). Overall a very pleasant and unique album. If the proper expectations are set, you will likely be rewarded here.

Ownership: 

1973 Kosmische Musik (LP). Acquired in 2000.

2010 Belle Antique (CD). Papersleeve. Acquired in 2011.

First copy: 1983 Pop Import (LP). Acquired in 1985.

1985; 2/9/01 (review); 12/29/11; 3/8/15 (update)

Seven Up (1973)

---2/9/01

During this period, Ash Ra Tempel were contributors to a kind of cosmic circus, touring around with others of a similar mindset concerning philosophical thought, lifestyles, and music. Seven Up, is the recorded document of this time while in Switzerland. The fame the album has achieved is due in part to two elements: (1) The involvement of drug culture icon Timothy Leary, and (2) the dropping of acid into the band members' 7-Up. While that might sound radical up front, Seven Up is quite tame compared to the first two masterpieces. The first side long montage is a medley of electronics and drugged reworks of pop hits from the 50's and 60's. Unique? Yes. Satisfying? Perhaps not. Side two is a rework of the spacey 'Suche and Liebe' from Schwingungen. This version, called 'Time' and which contains a slightly different opening, is quite good - but not overly moving - and you get the impression the band's ready for bed after partaking in too much alternative nutrition. A much better version of Seven Up can be found in the outtakes and studio reworks found on Gilles Zeitschiff's Sternenmadchen album.

Ownership:

1973 Kosmische Musik (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 1997. Comes with a small detailed insert. Die Kosmischen Kuriere was the original name for what became known as Kosmische Musik - and this is the debut album for the imprint. 

2010 Belle Antique / MG.ART (CD). Papersleeve gatefold. Acquired in 2011.

First copy: 1983 Pop Import (LP). They used the alternate cover as found on the Italian PDU release. Acquired in 1985.

1985; 1995; 1997; 2/9/01 (review); 12/17/11; 3/7/15 (update)

Correlations (1979)

In 1979, Manuel Göttsching once again changed directions for his alter ego Ashra project. Reuniting with former colleagues Lutz Ulbricht (guitar and synthesizers), and Harald Grosskopf (drums and synthesizers), Ashra presented their unique variation of the power trio. Correlations was the first of two releases by the lineup. Once again the mood is light, with bouncy almost funky / disco styled rhythms, heavy use of sequencers, and of course, Manuel's spirited but rambling guitar. And yes it does get psychedelic at times. No doubt Ashra caught the breezy tropical fusion bug that had invaded Germany at this time. One of optimism and good times, if not a bit misguided. An album that has aged incredibly well for me, though I had reservations initially when I first bought the LP. 

Ownership: 

1979 Virgin UK (LP). Acquired in 1985.

2008 MG.ART (5xCD). Box set with booklet. Includes four other albums taken from the same sessions. Acquired in 2026.

1985; 1//04; 2010; 2/7/15 (review); 5/23/18

Blackouts (1978)

---2/9/01

On Blackouts, Manuel Gottsching returned to the guitar once more to release his masterwork of the Virgin era. His blend of soulful electric guitar with whooshing synthesizers and sequencers has never been matched to this day. The set of tracks 'Midnight on Mars', 'Don't Trust the Kids', and 'Blackouts' is simply astounding, and Manuel's guitar playing here is hotter than anywhere since the early Ash Ra Tempel days. The title track is absolutely on fire by the end of the piece. 'Shuttle Cock' possesses the sound on sound guitar of Inventions For Electric Guitar.

---1/22/15

The original LP states that Gottsching plays "Sequencer, Keyboards, and a lot of guitar" and he thanks Udo Arndt for the "lonely guitar sound". As well as "This record should be heard comfortably". I cannot for the life of me understand the criticism this album gets. I've had this on LP for over 30 years, and there is an amazing vibe here that I never tire of. I've spent many hours closing my eyes and listening intently to it visualizing the imaginary movie it projects. A brilliant masterwork for my tastes.

Ownership: 

1978 Virgin Netherlands (LP). Single sleeve. Acquired in 1985. 

2008 Arcangelo (CD). Papersleeve. Has Manuel Gottsching's name on it instead of Ashra. Acquired in 2018.

1985; 2/9/01 (Gnosis); 1/22/15 (update); 6/17/18

The Private Tapes Vol. 3 (1971-1974 / 1996)

---7/28/96

There are three Gottsching solo guitar tracks from 1973. These were all in preparation for the Starring Rosi album and predate the concept he'd use eventually on Inventions for Electric Guitar.

There's one lengthy 27 minute track from 1974 with Lutz Ulbrich from Agitation Free and later a member of the Ashra trio with drummer Harald Grosskopf. It's a long spacey track focused on keyboards, but with some fine guitar work as well. Relates closest to Le Berceau Du Cristal, another archival release from Manuel Gottsching.

The final track is a 32 minute freakout jam from 1971 along the lines of the debut album ('Le Bruit des Origines').

---3/1/10

This is one of the legendary six volumes that Manikin unleashed on the public in 1996. They came out in the late spring while I was backpacking through Spain in 1996. When I arrived home, I was told about it. The retail price was $100, and I was a bit short on cash from my trip. I went ahead and got them anyway, at the encouragement of some friends, who all knew I was a big fan of the band. Thank goodness, as this set is known to go for ten times the price I paid. Manikin reissued a 2xCD compilation, but for some reason these 6 CDs remain without another reissue.

Ownership: 1996 Manikin (CD). Acquired in 1996.

7/28/96 (review); 3/1/10 (update)

 

Le Berceau de Cristal (1975 / 1994)

1975's Le Berceau de Cristal (not released until 1994) is a soundtrack to a French film, which displays the logical development between the Ash Ra Tempel and Ashra albums. Manuel Gottsching lined up with friend, and former Agitation Free guitarist, Lutz Ulbricht to continue his exploration of cyclical guitar sounds and electronics. It's truly a successor to Inventions for Electric Guitar, with sound on sound electric guitar at its core. This coupled with some sequencers, Farfisa, and other synthesizers added on top. Wonderful late night listening that has that cosmic Berlin School sound.

Ownership: 1994 Spalax (CD). Brief liner notes in French with a vintage photo. Acquired in 1996.

1996; 1/16/10 (review); 12/30/21

Inventions For Electric Guitar (1974)

---2/9/01

Here's where Manuel Göttsching began his solo career, though he maintained the Ash Ra Tempel moniker for one more album. Inventions for Electric Guitar was a revolutionary album for the day and is still forward-looking over 35 years later. Creating a sound-on-sound electronic vibe using only guitars and tape loops, Manuel weaves a wonderful tapestry of music that is at once intense and yet beautiful. He adds color with vicious solos while the guitar loops are bouncing in the background. Yet another brilliant work - and something entirely different for his past works.

---1/10/10

It's been said this is the first electronic album performed entirely on electric guitar. And while Achim Reichel employed a similar tactic, his albums were group efforts. Gunther Schickert, another follower of this technique, also first released his landmark Samtvogel in 1974.

Ownership:

1974 Kosmische Musik (LP). Acquired in 2020. 

CD: 2004 Arcangelo (Japan). Papersleeve edition as part of a box set that includes Ash Ra Tempel's first 2 albums.

First copy: 1983 Pop Import (LP). Acquired in 1985.

1985; 1995; 2/9/01 (review); 4//05; 1/10/10 (update)

Ash Ra Tempel (1971)

---2/9/01

Germany. 1971. Underground. Those three terms evoke images of the Berlin Wall, intensity, angst, freedom.

Very rarely is a moment so well captured just through music. Yet this is just what happened on Ash Ra Tempel's self-titled debut. The opening piece 'Amboss' (Anvil), is one for the ages. Starting with dark sounds that seem like shadows, created only with primitive electronics and guitar, the piece seems on the verge of falling into a black abyss to never return. Slowly the tension builds to a deafening crescendo, and without warning, Klaus Schulze begins his definitive piledriver drumming pattern. What could be possibly more intense and more chaotic? The listener is pounded into submission. Only to be equally mutilated by Göttsching's furious jamming, certainly the most intense, psychedelic, heavy guitar ever recorded. After a few minutes of this sort of violent cosmic blues jamming, there is a sequence of free-jazz drumming and electric guitar polka-dots that just burst into another firestorm, and along comes Schulze even more furious than before with Göttsching and Enke trying to subdue the entire German nation with their blistering guitar work. The Berlin Wall must fall! It doesn't - but certainly the musicians must have. One gets exhausted just listening to it! This 19 minute opus is followed by the exquisite 25 minute 'Traummaschine' (Dream Machine). Again, the mood is somber but slowly the sound gets louder. The band manages to achieve an electronic cadence while the guitars and electronics swirl. Hand percussion enters in and Göttsching turns up the fuzz for another biting solo. There is a period of rest and again the rollercoaster begins for yet one more jam. To this day, there has never been an album of music that sustained this kind of intensity for 40 minutes. How they were able to so without a moment of wasted time is a testament to the brilliance of one of the greatest albums of all time.

---1/9/10

This album had been my Holy Grail for about three to four years. I first discovered Ashra / Ash Ra Tempel back in 1985 from a store called The Record Gallery in Dallas when I was midway through college. The odd thing about Ash Ra Tempel, is that all of their albums starting with Seven Up were reissued by Pop Import in the early 1980s. Those are the copies this store had. In Dallas, in 1985, I can assure you no one else did, not even Metamorphosis by then (locals will know what I mean). So with that, finding the first three albums became my determined quest. I found the PDU copy of Join Inn in 1987 as I was wrapping up my degree. And scored Schwingungen in early 1988. And finally, after years of searching, I scored the PDU version of the debut in late 1988. From the late great Jeff Baker. It was $55. Where the hell did I get $55 for a record? I have no idea. But I did and never regretted a second of it. My first listen was an unforgettable experience. Right around Christmas in fact.

Ownership: 

1972 Ohr (LP). 56 label / 556 cover. Comes in an extraordinary fold-out-of-the-middle gimmix cover. Acquired in 2004.

2004 Arcangelo (CD). Papersleeve that replicates the original gimmix cover.. Comes in a box set, that -opens up to three mini-LPs, which also includes Schwingungen and Inventions for Electric Guitar. Acquired in 2004.

First copy: 1976 PDU (LP). Acquired in 1988.

1988; 2/9/01 (review); 1/9/10 (update)

Other albums I own: New Age of Earth; Belle Alliance; Friendship; The Private Tapes Vol. 1-2, 4-6; Correlations discs 2-5.

Albums previously owned: Walkin' The Desert

1/9/10 (new entry)