Customer Reviews

Ambient Highway Vol 1

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The "Ambient Highway" series of discs essentially consists of yet another repackaging of the collection of Edgar Froese solo music re-mixes released on the 1995 2-CD set "Beyond the Storm". The original two CDs are here padded out to four volumes (each sold separately) with the addition of eleven previously unreleased tracks, together with the Froese solo compositions included in the Tangerine Dream "Tangents" and "i-Box" disc sets of 1994 and 2000 respectively. In addition, a fifth CD, "Introduction to the Ambient Highway" offers a compilation of tracks culled from across the other four volumes. And if you're totally confused by all that, you are almost certainly not alone.

Most of the previously released tracks which appeared on "Beyond the Storm" were heavily remixed versions of the originals, featuring additional voices, percussion lines and in some cases completely new tunes greatly out of keeping with the original work. Many of those tracks which are included again in this edition have been further subjected to the Edgar Froese compulsive tinkering treatment, but this time in a much more effective and less damaging way. By and large most of the remixing consists principally of re-levelling (the levels are very high on this set of discs), adjustments to the EQ (there is a lot more bass punch, as well as a greater clarity to some of the lines in the new versions) with just the occasional additional harmonic or textural layer. Most of the time, the changes have brought the music more alive and removed much of the blandness which often plagues Edgar Froese's work. Going back to the disc sets after "Ambient Highway" makes most of the earlier releases sound thin and unfinished by comparison.

Volume 1 of the series features seven tracks from "Beyond the Storm", with two similarly beefed up offerings from the final (Froese solo) disc of "Tangents". Of these, only 'Dome of Yellow Turtle' has been substantially changed in feel, with a new electric guitar line over-dubbed which, whilst adding another dimension, doesn't really do the track any favours. In addition, the disc opens and closes with two previously unreleased tracks: 'Saraha Child' is a moody guitar ballad played over a slow boom-tish drum track and piano accompaniment. In the best Edgar Froese tradition, it tends to wander about in a rather directionless manner for most of its 5 minute duration but nevertheless manages a surprising amount of bite. After a slow start, 'Car Dreaming' delivers some soaring guitar riffs over a pounding bass beat and a sea of soft vocal washes, which finally take over to bring the disc to a gentle close. Both of these new tracks also feature on "The Introduction to the Ambient Highway" compilation CD.

All in all, this disc offers a well balanced and coherent set of tracks. It is probably my favourite from amongst the four (The Ambient Highway Vol.2, Vol.3, Vol.4) of the series (although to be honest, there isn't a lot to choose between them) and is well recommended for both new and established Edgar Froese fans. Tangerine Dream purists will probably want to stay away.