I began my career in a record store during the 80's and bacme interested in "new age" music through the rock door of Genesis, Pink Floyd and on to Tangerine Dream. Although much of the 80's releases were pablum, there are a few which i still listen to, and consider indispensable...
Tangerine Dream - Tangents(boxed set)73-83 - Collection of tracks from, IMHO, their most creative period. Initially starting out as ambient, this period showcases their elaborate compositions, using the sequencer as a center piece. Remastered and virtually "re-recorded" using more modern equipment with the same programming. Worth owning, even if you have all the albums. Comes with an interesting book with Monique's out-of-this-world photography and a history of the "box-of-frogs" that has been their line-up.
Suzanne Ciani - Neverland - combination of acoustic piano and synthesizer that entertains with terrific melody. Good sonics.
Dancing Fantasy - Midnight Blvd - Deep Bass, rolling rhythms that work well as driving music, and sexual noises! ;)
Edgar Froese - Stuntman - TD founder solo albums definitely reveal the dominant composer status. Stuntman is more melodic than the ambient works such as Aqua.
David Hayes - Sunbathing in Leningrad - very atmospheric guitar with a haunting coldness to the album. Takes you on a trip to a very unique neighborhood. I received this as a promotional cassette from the record label when it was released in 1988. It has been out of print for sometime, but my periodical visits to Amoeba in SF finally unearthed a copy on CD.
Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries - Does anything have to be said about this one? Ragamuffin is worth the price of the disc, alone.
Max Lasser's Ark - Earthwalk - Another atmospheric acoustic guitar gem. Another that is out of print. Another dug out of the dollar bins at Amoeba. Just remember to stop the disc before the last track. Somehow the wife ended up reciting a poem. If you are anywhere near the SF bay area, head in to Amoeba with a list and prepare to spend hours there. Probably the best place on earth to explore this genre of music, and to locate a basketfull of out of print classics.
Adrian Legg - Guitars and Other Cathedrals - Guitars for Mortals - These two albums mix the old english folk with a completely unique brain pattern exclusive to Mr. Legg. The first album displays an effortless mastery of the guitar. Very intricate & meticulous (although not quite "Fripp"ian). After some comments about his technical prowess on display, he released the second album with a decidedly melodic bent ranging from some comparably aggressive strumming to civil war era nostalgia (after the gig) all the while tapping the progressive vein.
Happy Rhodes - Many Worlds are Born Tonight - A progression from her earlier works, this album displays a wide array of electronic style only surpassed by her inhuman vocal range. These compositions are well rounded, melodic and address fundamental emotional issues. Full Range sonics.
David Sylvian/Holger Czukay - Plight & Premonition - Spooky! Eerie! Listen to this one with the lights off and be completely freaked out by your own imagination. Track 1 - "Giant Empty Iron Vessel" leaves you stranded on a moonless night in the middle of a dead-calm ocean. Track 2 - "The Spiralling of Winter Ghosts" sounds just like it reads... icy, chilled to the bones. Perfect soundtrack to REALLY scare the trick-or-treaters, and the entire neighborhood.
Synergy (Larry Fast) - Metropolitan Suite - One man orchestra, Larry Fast, composes melodic arrangements during the period when synthesized orchestral works seemed self indulgent and amazed at their ability to be something they are not. Metropolitan Suite is music first, and only as an aside, is it entertaining to know that this is one man creating this soundscape.
Favorite TD albums - Stratosfear, Force Majeur, Exit, Tangram, Sorcerer (sdtrk), Livemiles, LeParc, and even Lily on the Beach for the track "Too Hot for My Chinchilla".
Andreas Vollenweider - White Winds just edging out Down to the Moon.
George Winston - Autumn - Definitely the stand-out for me and usually the one i recommend first. December is also 80% strong.
Quite a few more to mention at a later time from Jean-Michel Jarre, Serge Blenner, and others.
Good Hunting!
patrick &B-{>
