Name: Force Majeure
Brand: Tangerine Dream

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

7747884

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2019-06-14

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0602577478840

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Tangerine Dream

Genre GB

Krautrock

Label GB

Founded by the late Edgar Froese, Tangerine Dream is a German group that played a significant role in introducing synthesizer- and sequencer-based electronic music to the Western rock world. They started as a "free-rock" band in the krautrock scene before evolving into a synthesizer-based trio signed to Virgin Records. During the mid to late 1970s, their spacey, pulsing music gained them a devoted cult following. In the late Seventies, their lineup and musical style changed towards more conventional rock music. By the early 1980s, they focused on releasing influential soundtracks before transitioning into New Age content.

Tangerine Dream was formed in Berlin in 1967 with an initial lineup that included Edgar Froese, Conrad Schnitzler (cello), and Klaus Schulze (drums). Their experimental improvisations were influenced by London's psychedelia but had a unique krautrock twist. The addition of Christopher Franke replaced Schulze for their second album, Alpha Centauri, while Peter Baumann joined for Zeit. Their signature style emerged with Phaedra released under Virgin Records in 1973 - long melodic pieces featuring understated keyboard and guitar melodies intertwined with ambient electronic textures created using synthesizers and sequencers.

The band went through various lineup changes over the years but maintained their focus on rhythmic textures during the first half of the 1980s. This shift divided fans as Tanger

UMC, short for Universal Music Catalogue, is a prominent label under the UK branch of Universal Music. Established around 2016, UMC has been dedicated to preserving and promoting an extensive collection of music from various genres and eras. With its rich catalogue, UMC offers music enthusiasts a diverse range of timeless classics and hidden gems.

In 2023, UMC underwent a rebranding process and emerged as Universal Music Recordings. This new identity further solidifies their position as a leading force in the music industry. As Universal Music Recordings, they continue to curate and release exceptional music that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Whether you're seeking iconic hits or discovering lesser-known treasures, UMC (now known as Universal Music Recordings) ensures that the power of music remains accessible to all who appreciate its magic.

Newly remastered in Stereo from first generation master tapes. Force Majeure saw Tangerine Dream close the 70s with one of their most enduring Virgin masterpieces, paving the way for yet another decade of innovation. For Force Majeure, Tangerine Dream nucleus Froese and Christopher Franke chose to collaborate with cellist Eduard Meyer and drummer Klaus Kruger, who later departed to join Iggy Pop's band.

Pieced together from sessions at Hansa Ton Studio (a stone’s throw from the notorious Berlin Wall), Force Majeure repositioned Tangerine Dream in their familiar, all-instrumental terrain. Akin to Rubycon, the album was dominated by two lengthy explorations, though on this occasion, the towering titular track and the closing Thru Metamorphic Rocks were punctuated by the relatively succinct Cloudburst Flight, which incorporated an intense, squalling guitar solo from Froese.

Force Majeure, however, was undoubtedly the record’s tour de force. Perpetually nomadic and unerringly melodic, its undulating 18 minutes took in everything from to spatial ambience to arena-rock bombast and, eventually, icy, Kraftwerk-esque synth-pop minimalism – and not a second was superfluous.

Force Majeure

Music GB