Stratosfear (studio album) by Tangerine Dream

This is the point where you see the perfect transition of the band between experimental electronic music and progressive rock. Great work.

My brother recently listened to Stratosfear again and apparently his (much younger) girlfriend felt particularly uncomfortable with the unique music of TD. Funny. I cannot get away from the impression that Edgar Froese (RIP) has been particularly present in a large part of the compositions. The Mellotron, piano and especially electric guitar play an important role and more was composed than improvised. Ricochet is nicer, more authentic for various reasons (although: apparently that "live" album is a compilation of live fragments) and wonderfully expressive. Stratosfear suffers a bit from the programmed, but still profoundly benefits from the great, analogically generated sounds. The bass sequencers in particular are particularly strong in terms of melody as sound.

Oozing with Mellotron washes, Mellotron flutes and Moog Modular ratcheted sequences, this album follows on where Ricochet left off with a more melodic musical structure. Where Zeit, Rubycon and Phaedra were predominantly sound collages, this album helps the listener more easily form those vast expansive wastes in their mind. The heavily processed guitar solo coming in near the end of the title track is a new addition in the Tangerine Dream arsenal. I have been fortunate enough to see Edgar Froesse play this live on a couple of occasions, sadly no more.