Ashra - 1976 - New Age of Earth

Songs:

01. Sunrain - 07:28
02. Ocean of Tenderness - 12:38
03. Deep Distance - 05:46
04. Nightdust - 21:48



This is an album from the "electronic/ambient/chillout" period of Ashra. Compositions have little relevance with earlier works like "Schwingungen" or "Seven Up". Instead of screaming, hysterical effects and vocals, with all the "noisy" background, Manuel Gottsching started exploring different musical approaches after some point on. "New Age of Earth" features elegant, clean musical themes. The nature of the songs is repetitive, dronic and way relaxing. The songs are complex, but in no way tiring or over the top "stylized". The balance between quality and psychedelic nature kept from Manuel Gottsching is, once more, supreme.



"Sunrain" is the opening track. It begins with "marching" keyboards. Soon, more melodies blend in with different sounds. Two main music lines are expanding while the "base music layer" - something like a wall of sound- is always there, supporting the final outcome. All those layers are very clean in their sound. The mix is absolutely marvelous. The distinct voices can be heard clearly separate from each other. Excellent job indeed.

"Ocean of Tenderness" begins in a more cool, chillout mood. The song is full of wind effects, psychedelic tunes once in a while that develop really slowly some music lines and at the end a small guitar part. This track is easily one of the most relaxing tunes!

"Deep Distance" could easily be the next part of "Sunrain". A lot of echo, different voices and a marching background keyboard base layer. The song goes on and on and develops some nice, catchy melody lines. Its mood is more relaxing than "Sunrain"

"Nightdust" begins its slow, distant music exploration in a deep psychedelic way. Creepier melodies than the rest of the songs are developed here. At times, the song reaches some high points, but remains kind of "traveling-depressing". After the first half, a marching base layer is added that relieves a bit from the down feeling but also stresses you out since it adds more tension to the track. Indeed, soon the song freaks out (do not expect something similar to Light/Darkness, everything is on a smoother level in this album). Finally, it ends with a marvelous, sad guitar part accompanied with deep effects. So nicely put together song!


In a way, listening to this album without having heard anything from Ash Ra Tempel before you may as well find a nice ambient/space/electronic masterpiece. However, the basic patterns behind the songs remind the "old" Ash Ra Tempel in means of how the songs evolve and reach crescendo. The instruments used though and the general mood is way "cleaner" and smoother.

Brilliant, fantastic album !

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