Post Description

Recorded:  2001/2002 at Moldau Studio, Hambühren. Final mixes in June/July 2002
First Release: September 2002, on Rainhorse Records
Performed by: Klaus Schulze (electronics, keyboards, guitar)
Wolfgang Tiepold (cello)
Thomas Kagermann (arabian flute, violin, vocals)
Julia Messenger (vocals)
Audrey Motaung (vocals)
Tobias Becker (oboe, english horn)
Mickes (guitar)

Disc 4: Androgyn

This disc features 76 minutes of music, offered in six tracks, with two pieces of substantial duration separated by surprisingly short compositions. Once more, the tracks flow into each other.

But first, a 12 minute piece explores an elegant fusion of Schulze's electronics with noble cello and vocal samples. Notably, these electronics employ an uncharacteristic palette of unearthly sounds. Even the cello is treated to resound with stratospheric airs. Again, despite the female throats producing the vocal strains, the choral chants are treated to display a hauntingly masculine sound.

The second track ("Back to the Future") is 28 minutes long, and is dominated by Schulze on slide guitar. Utilizing the "Gleiteisen, a piece of iron", this music affects a loving return to the "cosmic slide guitar technique from old Ash Ra Tempel times." Assisting this retro sound is a taste of organ drone (oh--it's that Fender Rhodes Piano again!). Slowly, almost hesitantly, velvet E-perc and delicate electronics creep into this astral domain. The tone of this composition remains languid and quite meditative.

Tracks three through five are all short (4 to 5 minutes). "There's No Mystery" employs vocals and cello to generate a sentimental longing. "Don't Ask the Question Why" introduces a pensive velocity to the melody, as percussives and electronics swell and exhibit more verve. "The Passion Burns" pursues this rising tempo, reintroducing the "Mysterious" vocals to demonstrate emotional fire.

This music slides gracefully into the CD's final track ("This House Full of Shadows"), where Schulze coalesces the previous elements into a more forceful application. Body and power unfurl to propel the melody into majestic territory. The driving E-perc generates cyclic impetus for the dreamy electronics as they investigate darker realms. Haunting cello aids this shadowy examination. The vocals surface amid this passionate tide, producing urgent incentives with recognizable syllables as understanding is conveyed to the audience.


CD 4 "Androgyn"
1. In the Dimness of Light (12.47)
2. Back To The Future (28.02)
3. There's No Mistery (4.37)
4. Don't Ask the Question Why (5.08)
5. The Passion Burns (4.22)
6. This House Full of Shadows (20.43)