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In the year 2000, Manikin label-owner Mario Schönwälder released this fine, fully instrumental album. Klaus Schulze and his Ashra Tempel bandmate Manuel Göttsching go back a long way, belonging to the league that started the so-called Kosmische, Kraut, and Prog-Rock wave in Germany. Three long, slowly evolving tracks are featured on the 78-minute “Friendship”, all containing the most pleasant and emotive music. The outcome echoes the thrill and vibe of the ’70’s with great spacy synth textures, electronic percussion, all nicely complemented by Manuel’s characteristic acoustic and e-guitar playing. The arrangement of warm, synthetic sounds, pads, and percussive ingredients is a joy to listen to, which strengthens me in the belief that the slow evolving and slightly groovy music making up “Friendship” is most of all a Schulzian affair with a dash of classic Pink Floyd thrown in. Many of these same warm pads and groovy bass lines would return on Schulze’s forthcoming studio and live albums. The collaboration of the two musicians reaches its pinnacle on the stellar 26-minute title track, where all magical things just fall into place in a most harmonic and touching way. Here, Mr. Gottsching delivers some emotional guitar soloing and soundscaping, complementing Mr. Schulze’s fine synth-work. |
| In 2014, the album was re-released on Göttschings own label MG.ART.
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