It is hard to believe that 50 years has passed since Tangerine Dream released Rubycon, which at the time was their second album for Virgin Records. Looking back it maybe difficult for some listeners to fully grasp the impact their music made in the Seventies, but listening today it becomes clear how innovative, forward thinking and influential they would become, making use of new keyboard technology from that decade and creating something mesmerising.
The Rubycon 50th anniversary set is another thoughtful and carefully put together release from Cherry Red Records, consisting of five CDs along with a detailed and nicely illustrated booklet containing a new essay from Tangerine Dream expert Wouter Bessels. So, what is included? Well the first disc has the remastered stereo mix of Rubycon, with a bonus track featuring an extended introduction to Rubycon, mixed by Steve Wilson. The next four discs cover two concerts, one at the Rainbow, London in 1974, and the other The Royal Albert Hall during 1975.
When Rubycon was first released it went to number 12 in the British album charts and stayed there for a further 14 weeks, thus becoming their highest charting album in the UK. The album was originally recorded during January 1975 at the Manor, Shipton-On-Cherwell, Oxfordshire. Production was handled by Tangerine Dream with technical assistance provided by Roland Paulick and engineer Mick Glossop. For this anniversary release the re-master from original tapes was done by Ben Wiseman at Broadlake Studios, Hertfordshire, and the package was compiled, researched and coordinated by Esoteric Recordings’ Mark Powell.
As previously mentioned there is a 44 page booklet included – there is a detailed description of the Rubycon album tracks, also reference notes on what instruments were used at various points in the tracks. This has lead me to not describe tracks in too much detail as this would spoil the enjoyment of reading these notes if you purchased this. There is also comprehensive information on the instruments used throughout the recordings and in particular for the Albert Hall concert.
Listening to the audio on disc one it has to be said that the sound is excellent, and Ben Wiseman has done a great job with the remastering which is clear, crisp and with good separation between the instruments. This is particularly rewarding as it helps you to hear the way that Tangerine Dream built and constructed their music, using an extensive array of instruments. Also included on this disc is the extended introduction mix of Rubycon by Steven Wilson, whilst interesting, I prefer the introduction in its original form. A slowly evolving atmospheric sound that swirls and builds, gradually, and with their use of hypnotic rhythms draws you into the music. As the piece progresses the music begins to throb and pulsate, increasing the tempo, driving us forward, and always there is a masterful ebb and flow.
Discs two and three contain a live recording at The Rainbow Theatre in London on the 27th October 1974, and here the band show off their amazing skills at creating the music in the live environment. Do they pull it off? I would say so, with what appears to be a flawless execution of the music sonically, making it an amazing and truly fascinating listen. The concert comes in three parts circa 30 minutes each, unfortunately my knowledge of Tangerine Dream’s music is not that extensive so I am unable to note what they played, but suffice to say, whatever they played that night holds the listeners attention. What is know was that Tangerine Dream did use improvisation in their live concerts, using the structures of their music and seeing where it would take them. This fact made all their concerts different and unique to that moment in time.
The fourth and fifth CDs contain the concert recorded at the Albert Hall during April 1975, things open with an introduction from the legendary John Peel (as did the Rainbow concert). It is clear they came here to mean business, just scanning the instrument and equipment list in the booklet (and listed below) demonstrates this. The opening piece is a 70 minute musical journey which ebbs and flows filling the hall with amazing sounds and textures and I imagine this must have sounded wonderful in the Albert Hall. At a tad over 70 minutes may seem a lot to digest on one CD, however the time passes quickly and really does not appear long at all. The second part, or movement, comes in at 40 minutes, along with a 13 minute encore to close proceedings. We are treated to a concert that does still feel relevant and perhaps stands up well in todays’ ambient scene.
Overall this is a very enjoyable package that will appeal to fans and new listers alike. If you were not over familiar with Tangerine Dream’s work then this could be the way in for you. An accessible collection featuring one of their finest albums accompanied by two great concerts – all in all a fascinating insight into the early years of their career.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One Rubycon – Released as Virgin V2025 in March 1975
01. Rubycon – Part One (17:17)
02. Rubycon – Part Two (17:40)
~ Bonus track:
03. Rubycon (extended introduction) (15:03)
Total Time – 50:02
Disc Two: Live at the Rainbow, London 27th December 1974
01. Introduction by John Peel (2:36)
02. The Rainbow Concert – Part One (36:49)
03. The Rainbow Concert – Part Two (29:20)
Total Time – 68:46
Disc Three: Live at the Rainbow, London 27th December 1974
01. The Rainbow Concert – Part Three (37:56)
02. The Rainbow Concert – Encore (12:26)
Total Time – 50:19
Disc Four: The Royal Albert Hall, London 2nd April 1975
01. The Royal Albert Hall Concert – Part One (70:18)
Total Time: 70:18
Disc Five: The Royal Albert Hall, London 2nd April 1975
01. The Royal Albert Hall Concert – Part Two (40:11)
02. The Royal Albert Hall Concert – Encore (13:45)
Total Time – 53:56
MUSICIANS
Disc One:
Edgar Froese – Mellotron, VCS3 Synthesiser, Guitar, Gong
Christoph Franke – Prepared Piano, Moog & Synth A Synthesisers, Organs, Modified Elka Organ, Gong
Peter Baumann – Organ, Prepared Piano, E-Piano, EMS Synth A & ARP2600 Synthesisers
Discs Two & Three:
Edgar Froese – Mellotron, VCS3 Synthesiser,
Chris Franke – Moog Synthesiser, Keyboards, VCS3 Synthesiser
Peter Baumann – Organ, Electric Piano, VCS3 Synthesiser
Disc Four & Five:
Edgar Froese – Mellotron Mark V (Double Keyboard), Mellotron M400, Farfisa PP/282 Professional Piano, Farfisa VIP-400 Organ (Double Keyboard), EMS VCS3 MKII Synthesiser (with Keyboard & Sequencer), EMS Synthesiser DK2.
Chris Franke – 2 x Moog IIIP Modular System (plus 960 Sequencers), Moog 951 Keyboard Controller, Moog 1125 Sample-Hold Controller, MiniMoog Model D Synthesiser, EMS Synth A Synthesiser, EMA Prototype Queg Quadrophonic Effects Generator, Elka Rhapsody 610 String Synthesiser, Farfisa Compact Organ.
Michael Hoenig – 2 x Custom Modified MiniMoogs with Additional Control Inputs, 2 x 960 Moog Sequential Controller, Moog 961 Sequencer Interface, 2 x Moog 962 Sequential Switch Module, Yamaha YC45D Organ, Custom Modified AMS Synth A
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records
Country of Origin: Germany
Date of Release: 28th November 2025
LINKS
Tangerine Dream – Website | Facebook | Info at Cherry Red Records | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
