Nimm mich mit.
Cartimand | Hampshire, UK. | 09/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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'), is one of my all-time favourite cosmic/ambient chill-out tracks. Whilst the first track 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!
Beautiful, beautiful stuff!
"
Ash Ra Tempel mellows out
BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 03/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After the totally outrageous Seven Up (with Timothy Leary), Manuel Göttsching and Hartmut Enke was able to bring back Klaus Schulze for this album, Join Inn, originally released in 1973 on Ohr. After two albums with lots of outrageous vocals that often bewildered many fans, they went back to the all instrumental, two side length cuts approach of their 1971 debut. So on Join Inn, just like their debut, side one is a guitar-oriented jam and side two is the more mellow piece. "Freak N Roll" is the guitar jam, although I thought it was a bit aimless, and I don't think works quite as well as "Amboss" from their first album. But what really saves Join Inn is the mellow "Jenseits". Here Rosi Müller, who was dating Manuel Göttsching at the time speaks some dialog in German. But this piece was really Klaus Schulze's time to shine as it mostly contains his Farfisa organ, although of course Manuel Göttsching gives us lots of strange effects on his guitar. Unsurprisingly this piece would resemble one of Schulze's early works (that is, any of the albums he's done up to Blackdance). I might be the minority here but I actually prefer Schwingungen and Seven Up over this one (but of course, most everyone thinks their debut is their best, which I have to agree on). I don't think Join Inn is the best place for the newcomer of Ash Ra Tempel to start with (try their debut first), but it's still a worthy album."
Track Listings (2) - Disc #1