Departure From The Northern Wasteland

Synthesist Michael Hoenig had his start in the German group Agitation Free, alongside drummer Chris Franke. That connection was renewed when he filled in for a vacationing Peter Baumann on some of Tangerine Dream's 1974-5 tours, obviously learning a bit of their craft along the way. In 1976, he worked with Ashra's Manuel Göttsching, but recordings would not surface until decades later. In 1977, Hoenig became one of the first German musicians to sign an international deal, inking with US label Warner Brothers. It's easy to see why: Departure From The Northern Wasteland is a classic example of the "Berlin" school of electronic music, as it's been said, "even more Tangerine Dream than Tangerine Dream". Hoenig uses repetition to great end: pulsing, trance-inducing sequencer lines percolate, bubble and carry the listener throughout the sonic journey. He adds significant texture with a variety of keyboards, while former Agitation Free guitarist Lutz Ulbrich lays down some thick guitar lines as well. "Hanging Garden" offers up some solid sequencer lines in a bold arrangement, while "Voices of Where" is more ethereal, layering treated vocal loops. "Sun and Moon" closes the album succinctly, recapping Hoenig's sonic journey. Throughout, he presents one of the most listenable albums of electronic music. Hoenig never really recorded a follow-up to this album, eventually immigrating to the United States to find work in the movie soundtrack business. Along with Tangerine Dream's synchronous adventures, this brand of electronic music would see some degree of commercial acceptance over the next few years, even outside the confines of new age music.