Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri (1971)

Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri (1971)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri

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Side A

1. "Sunrise in the Third System"   4:21

2. "Fly and Collision of Comas Sola"   13:23

Side B

1. "Alpha Centauri"   22:04

Reissue bonus tracks

4. "Oszillator Planet Concert" (Sanctuary/Castle (2002), Arcàngelo (2004), Reactive/Esoteric (2011))   8:03

5. "Ultima Thule, Part One (2000 remix)" (Arcàngelo (2004), Reactive/Esoteric (2011))   3:24

6. "Ultima Thule, Part Two" (Reactive/Esoteric (2011))   4:24

Tangerine Dream Band Members / Musicians

Edgar Froese – guitar, organ, bass, composer

Christopher Franke – drums, percussion, flute, zither, piano, VCS3

Steve Schroyder – organ, voice, echo machines, iron stick

Udo Dennebourg – flute, voice

Roland Paulick – synthesizer

Alpha Centauri is the 2nd major release and second studio album by German electronic music group Tangerine Dream. It was released in March 1971 by record label Ohr.

The music on this album is quite different from Tangerine Dream’s first album Electronic Meditation, partly because of a heavier reliance on keyboards and electronic technology, although they still mostly remain in the background: the dominant instruments on the album are organ and flute. The other difference is that this album focuses on dark, spacey soundscapes as opposed to jam sessions. The shift in instrumentation resulted in an atmosphere dubbed by Edgar Froese himself as "kosmische musik". Julian Cope's Head Heritage wrote that the album "used the space rock template from [Pink Floyd's] Saucerful of Secrets (and removed the rock)".

Tangerine Dream – Alpha Centauri (1971): Pioneering the Sound of Cosmic Ambient

Released in 1971, Alpha Centauri is the second studio album by Tangerine Dream, the German electronic music pioneers who would go on to define the Krautrock and ambient genres. Following their debut Electronic Meditation (1970), this album marked a shift toward spacey textures, minimalist structures, and experimental soundscapes, establishing Tangerine Dream as innovators in electronic and progressive music.

With Alpha Centauri, the band began exploring what would become their signature style: layered synthesizers, atmospheric drones, and improvisational structures, creating music that felt cosmic, hypnotic, and entirely ahead of its time.

Band Background and Formation

Tangerine Dream was formed in 1967 in West Berlin, Germany, by Edgar Froese. The band emerged in the fertile experimental scene of Berlin, influenced by psychedelia, avant-garde electronics, free jazz, and the progressive rock movement.

The original lineup for Alpha Centauri included:

• Edgar Froese – guitar, synthesizers

• Christopher Franke – drums, electronics

• Klaus Schulze – keyboards, electronics

This trio would lay the foundation for the Berlin School of electronic music, blending improvisation, analog electronics, and a conceptual approach to album composition.

Musical Style and Sound

Alpha Centauri is an experimental album that combines:

• Early electronic synthesizers and organ textures

• Minimalist guitar and flute lines

• Free-form percussion and rhythm experiments

• Ambient, space-inspired soundscapes

Unlike conventional rock albums of the early 1970s, the record emphasizes texture, mood, and cosmic exploration over melody or traditional song structures. Its hypnotic flow and ethereal atmosphere inspired later ambient, new-age, and electronic artists worldwide.

Tracklist Overview

1. Ultima Thule

2. Air

3. Circle of Hands

4. Velocity Dance

The album is essentially a continuous sonic journey, with each track serving as a movement in a broader atmospheric suite, rather than discrete pop songs.

Standout Tracks

“Ultima Thule”

The opening track sets the cosmic tone with drifting synthesizers, spacey guitar, and subtle percussion, evoking the feeling of traveling to distant worlds.

“Air”

A slow, meditative piece, highlighting Tangerine Dream’s early use of ambient textures and minimalistic layering, foreshadowing their later ambient masterpieces.

“Circle of Hands”

Featuring experimental organ and flute, this track emphasizes improvisation and tonal exploration, demonstrating the band’s avant-garde approach.

“Velocity Dance”

A more rhythm-driven track, incorporating drums and sequencer-like patterns that hint at Tangerine Dream’s eventual influence on electronic dance music decades later.

Lyrical Themes

Alpha Centauri is entirely instrumental, with no lyrics, but its conceptual themes include:

• Cosmic exploration and outer space

• Human consciousness and meditative states

• Experimental improvisation as musical philosophy

• Futurism and electronic innovation

The album’s title references the nearest star system to Earth, reflecting the band’s fascination with astronomy and science fiction.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• Alpha Centauri was recorded shortly after Tangerine Dream’s lineup solidified, establishing their signature trio sound.

• The album was initially released on the small German label Ohr, known for experimental Krautrock releases.

• Tangerine Dream’s work on this album influenced later electronic and ambient artists like Brian Eno, Klaus Schulze, and Vangelis.

• The album cover, designed in the early 1970s avant-garde style, reflects the band’s cosmic and futuristic aesthetic.

• Early pressings are considered collectible items for Krautrock enthusiasts.

Did You Know?

• Alpha Centauri is considered one of the first albums of the Berlin School electronic movement.

• Klaus Schulze, a key member on this album, would later leave Tangerine Dream to pursue a highly influential solo career in electronic music.

• The band often performed improvisational versions of the album live, making each performance unique.

• Despite being instrumental and experimental, the album received critical acclaim in progressive rock circles.

• The album inspired the growing ambient and new-age music scenes in Europe and the U.S.

Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums

Alpha Centauri was not a commercial hit upon release, but it quickly became influential among experimental and progressive rock audiences. Its importance lies in its artistic innovation rather than chart performance.

Tangerine Dream’s top-selling and most influential albums include:

• Phaedra (1974) – Breakthrough international success

• Rubycon (1975) – Iconic Berlin School classic

• Ricochet (1975) – Live performance album

• Alpha Centauri (1971) – Early experimental foundation

• Zeit (1972) – Minimalist ambient masterpiece

These albums solidified Tangerine Dream’s reputation as electronic music pioneers.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Alpha Centauri laid the groundwork for decades of electronic experimentation. The album’s emphasis on texture, improvisation, and atmospheric sound influenced not only Krautrock but also ambient, new-age, and electronic music worldwide.

Tangerine Dream’s early work, including this album, helped bridge progressive rock and electronic music, inspiring countless musicians and composers in multiple genres, including film scoring, ambient, and techno.

Most Famous Songs by Tangerine Dream

• Phaedra

• Rubycon

• Stratosfear

• Force Majeure

• Ultima Thule (from Alpha Centauri)

While later albums brought them commercial recognition, Alpha Centauri remains essential for understanding their evolution and innovation.

Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)

• Electronic Meditation (1970)

• Alpha Centauri (1971)

• Zeit (1972)

• Atem (1973)

• Phaedra (1974)

• Rubycon (1975)

• Ricochet (1975)

• Stratosfear (1976)

• Encore (1977)

Band Timeline

• Formed: 1967, Berlin, Germany

• Years active: 1967–present (Edgar Froese until 2015)

• Status: Active (post-Froese lineups continue the Tangerine Dream legacy)

Keywords

Tangerine Dream Alpha Centauri 1971 album, Alpha Centauri review, Berlin School electronic music, Tangerine Dream discography, early electronic ambient albums, Krautrock classics, space music 1970s, progressive electronic music