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Ash Ra Tempel are one of the most notable German Krautrock groups of the 1970s, and are a notable example of cosmic or space rock.
History
The group was originally founded by guitarist Manuel Göttsching, keyboardist/drummer Klaus Schulze, and bassist Hartmut Enke in 1971. All three founding members had previously played together as part of the short-lived group Eruption founded by Conrad Schnitzler. Prior to that Schnitzler and Schulze had worked together in Tangerine Dream.
Ash Ra Tempel released its self-titled debut album in June of 1971. This release is considered by critics to be a classic of the genre; Schulze temporarily departed for a solo career shortly after its release. Schwingungen (1972), Seven Up (w/ Timothy Leary) (1972), and Join Inn (1973) are all considered key works from the band. Pop-oriented 1973 album Starring Rosi was thusly named because it featured lead vocals by Rosi Mueller.
Their music is widely characterized as cosmic and atmospheric. The early albums were more psychedelic-oriented and all had one lengthy track per side: one more powerful and dramatic, the other of a more atmospheric nature.
ART's last concert performance took place in Cologne in February 1973[1].
Later, after recording the soundtrack Le Berceau de Cristal (1975; unreleased until the 90's) Ash Ra Tempel shortened its name to Ashra, making a more melodic, synthesizer-based music. In 2000 the band was reborn. Joined by longtime colleague Klaus Schulze, the album Friendship was released.
Influence
Ash Ra Tempel has exerted a relatively large influence on later space rock and krautrock bands. The psychedelic bands Acid Mothers Temple and Hash Jar Tempo named themselves in reference to Ash Ra Tempel.
Discography
[] Albums
Compilations
- The Best Of The Private Tapes 2xCD (1998) (rare demo recordings)
- Schwingungen/ Seven Up (1998) (Two orig. LP's on one CD)
- Join Inn/ Starring Rosi (1998) (Two orig. LP's on one CD)
References
External links
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