Edgar Froese

by Linda KohanovThe only continuing member of the pioneering synthesizer group Tangerine Dream, Edgar Froese also proved to be one of the most ambitious in releasing solo albums alongside the voluminous output of the band. Considered a master of the Mellotron, the early keyboard device (made famous by the Moody Blues) that produced its sound through key-activated tape loops of actual recordings of orchestras, choirs and other acoustic sounds. Though it still drew from TDs trademark sequencer sound, Froeses solo recordings have a more direct and personal quality, and often feature his penchant for rock-style guitar work.Even while Tangerine Dream was releasing career classics Phaedra and Rubycon during 1974-75, Froese began his solo career with the two records Aqua and Epsilon in Malaysian Pale, quite similar in style to contemporary work by Tangerine Dream. During the rest of the 70s, Froese released four more solo albums during TDs breaks, followed in 1983 by Pinnacles. By that point, Froese was the undisputed leader of Tangerine Dream and could release material which would have appeared as solo work during the previous decade. The 1995 Virgin collection Beyond the Storm summed up his solo career.