Search - Ash Ra Tempel :: Join Inn / Starring Rosi

Ash Ra Tempel - 'Join Inn / Starring Rosi' (Cleopatra)

Mike Reed | USA | 08/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another one of those fabulously done two-lp's-on-one CD releases.Here,you have German krautrock pioneers Ash Ra Tempel's fourth and fifth albums,both unleashed in 1973.A total of nine(9)tracks to have some cosmic pleasure with.Duration is 78:16.Whew!what a lengthy CD.Cuts here I enjoyed the most were "Freak 'N Roll",the 24-minute soundscape epic "Jenseits","Cosmic Tango" and "Bring Me Up"(penned by ace producer Dieter Dierks).Only track I didn't care for was "Fairy Dance".Truly deserves a sacred place in your music library."

An irresistable combination

Cartimand | Hampshire, UK. | 09/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the excellent Schwingungen/Seven Up CD, this also gives you two marvellous Ash Ra Tempel albums on one disk.



Join Inn features just two tracks - Freak n Roll feels like a 20 minute jam/improvisation and has Manuel Gottsching in absolutely blistering form. Meandering themes merge and blend in magical fashion, effortlessly coaxed forth from the strings of his guitar. Manic, pounding drums and breakneck-paced bass-work all combine into a miraculous whole. In sections, it sounds like each musician is wandering off doing his own thing. Then, suddenly, delightfully, it all comes together, forging a masterpiece greater than the sum of its parts, which leaves the listener drained but satisfied.



Jenseits ('Beyond'), could not be different in style and is one of my all-time favourite cosmic/ambient chill-out tracks. Whilst Freak n Roll was guitar-dominated, the beautiful musical landscape of Jenseits is built primarily by keyboard. Building slowly, complemented by Rosi's achingly beautiful words, this is the musical equivalent of an out-of-body experience (which, from what I can understand of the German lyrics) is what was intended. When Rosi sighs "Nimm mich mit" (take me with you), you will want to go!



Starring Rosi, is a less intense album, but with a great feel-good atmosphere and amply demonstrates the startling changes of style this band would go through. Laughter Loving has an upbeat bouncy atmosphere with some great fluid guitar from Gottsching. Day-Dream is a gentle psychedelic vision with Rosi's vocals painting some beautiful images. Schizo is a slow instrumental that features the classic Gottsching lonely guitar sound over dreamy wah-wah rhythms and is probably my favourite track on the album. Cosmic Tango is a deceptively simple tune which builds into a great guitar-piece over a thumping tango beat. Interplay of Forces starts with Rosi reciting some poetic lyrics alternately in German and English and then melds into a really joyous guitar outro. The Fairy Dance is a quite delicate instrumental, with a vaguely folksy/celtic feel to it. Bring Me Up closes the album in brilliant style, with a rocking memorable theme and great guitar accompaniment.



Two very different albums, both brilliant, giving you almost 80 minutes of sublime music on one CD. As with my review of the Schwingungen/Seven Up companion CD, the minimal CD packaging is slightly disappointing, but the sound quality here is flawless.



One warning though; the Cleopatra/Purple Pyramid US release of this CD has truncated the final track - Bring Me Up, by around a minute, so caveat emptor!



Existing fans will love this and new listeners will find this is an ideal introduction to Ash Ra Tempel's legendary music.

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