Rubycon Audio CD – January 1, 2005

It is probably fair to say that Rubycon still captures the ambient atmospheric background in a way much more similar to Alpha Centauri, Zeit, Atem and Phaedra, then to following it Ricochet, Stratosfear and later albums, when ambient sections were becoming movements adding meaning to and slowing the overall flow of songs. Rubycon also has more melodic rhythm periods in common with Ricochet, Stratosfear, Encore, Cyclone and Force Majeure than any of the above mentioned earlier albums of Tangerine Dream do. In that sense Rubycon could be considered a perfect middle of the road album of the golden decade of Tangerine Dream.Rubycon is one huge texture of sound consisting of interchanging ambient and rhythmic segments. This album is a perfect variation on a theme by three gifted and well connected players who introduce their ideas and elaborate on them in various ways. The beginning and closing minutes feel very classical in the way the composition is constructed with every key pressed as needed, to create this amazing mood. The music of the middle sections of the album does allow the players to be more spontaneous with the way they introduce their solo motifs and how they elaborate on them. However, all of them conform to the previously agreed upon and clearly defined structure of harmony and rhythm. This music is almost completely synthesizer, organ, piano and mellotron created, with very slight guitar parts in it. Prior to recording of this album Edgar Froese's mellotron got equipped with orchestral instruments recorded by the BBC. The sounds of oboe, horns and string sections add to our experience. Christopher Franke's double Moog synthesizer is completely mastered by him by now, and it is in charge of the rhythmic parts of this composition. Peter Baumann's piano and organ solos can be recognized by their simple and playful charm.Atmospheric introduction and build-up of the first seven minutes, with its spectacular 'awakening motif' coming to expression repeatedly in the 3rd minute is the proof of Tangerine Dream's mastery of mood creation. Whenever I listen to Rubycon forgetting about this amazing upcoming motif I can hardly believe that the entire introduction to it takes only two minutes. That ambient build-up is so well structured and developed that it possesses an amazing ability of slowing down time. That obviously had been one of the main powers within the ambient sections of Tangerine Dream's 1970s music. The entire seven beginning minutes of this album (as well as seven ending minutes of it) are truly spectacular, but you will not know that while listening to it for the first or second time. This music really needs to sink into you deeper than that to reveal itself fully. Edgar Froese introduces a voice of choir for just 2 seconds at 5:50. The way the following section of sequenced rhythm loops starts at about 6:15 is again, very unique and memorable. After that the sequencer gradually takes over the loops of rhythm and for the following 9 minutes it is a fast pace environment which slowly comes down within the last 2 minutes of first part of Rubycon.The second part of Rubycon begins in ambient atmospheric way again with the inclusion of the choir sounds generated by Edgar Froese on mellotron. In the 5th minute the tempo of Christopher Franke's sequenced rhythm becomes very fast and vibrant. The synthesizer motif of the 10th minute is very interesting. Then everything slows down again, the sequenced rhythm loops quiet down and in the 12th minute we are taken back into the very atmospheric ambient and spectacular ending of this album. No wonder Tangerine Dream were asked over and over again to provide music for soundtracks. That ending six minutes of Rubycon carries a real power to move us instantly out of our surroundings and to position us somewhere else completely. Unfortunately, working for Hollywood couldn't have been done with the passion they expressed working for us and for themselves.

I'm so happy with my purchase! One of my favorite albums by Tangerine Dream. It arrived in perfect condition. Buy this album if you love Tangerine Dream. :)

I really like this album, but it doesn't have the immediate impact as "Phaedra" does. What I mean is that you can't really sit down and listen to this album as attentively as you can with "Phaedra." You have to be really relaxed to get the full effect...but what effect! I almost prefer this album to "Phaedra" because there are less songs, ergo less changes in mood, and the sound sort of drifts from one mood to the next. Also, this album is a lot more relaxed than thier previous. Listening to this album is like watching the times of day go by in a little over half an hour. Definatly not reccommended to those with a short attention span!

Tangerine Dream at its best. I discovered TD with Stratosfear and Rubycon. With these two albums I became a huge fan for life of electronic space experimental rock music. Stratosfear is more rock than Rubycon. Rubycon is a journey into space. The evolution of the melody is subtle and it slowly captivates your sense. Next thing you know, you are in the middle of an asteroid field with a strong rhythmic foundation. Listening to Rubycon while driving on the highway is the most relaxing musical experience ever. It brings me back to the 70s, in a good way. Thirty years later, I find TD's music as classic as it was avant-garde then, and I cannot be anymore grateful for the legacy they have left behind for us to enjoy. When music like that of Rubycon moves me, I feel as if in the presence of God. Sublime!

This CD has been remastered and has a new recorded track that has never been on any TangerineDream album.

Rubycon is the most relaxing out of all the Virgin Recordings. It is my goto CD for Kitaro. Only Underwater Sunlight surpasses the relaxing feel of the music.

Somehow I had thought there were more songs. Still a great album. Great band

Definitetly one of TG's best (along with Phaedra and Ricochet) from their IMO golden age (the mid seventies). This album consolidates the german band's somewhat dark approach towards "space rock" with it's ondulating moog sequences (probably a Moog modular V) and mellotron-driven melodies creating the style known today as "The Berlin School". Makes a nice contrast to the more melodic Vangelis and JM Jarre (masters in their own right too). A must have in your collection.

I have been listening to TD from the time I first heard John Peel introduce them on his late night radio programme in late 1974: Phaedra... I had not really heard anything quite like it at the time. I went back through their earlier albums like Zeit and Atem and followed them for many years having the pleasure of seeing Froese, Franke and Baumann at The Dome in Brighton. For me Rubycon has always been my favourite. I have the 1995 Definitive Remaster which to my ears is excellent. I am now listening to this 2019 Steve Wilson remaster and am delighted by the pure uncluttered sound he has achieved. The first two tracks are as we know them and they have never sounded better. I cannot hear any evidence of "loudness" that many people complain of these days. It really sounds so beautifully clear that it could have been recorded only yesterday. If you have the earlier "Definitive Edition" I am not sure you need to upgrade but you are getting a gorgeous sound, nice repackaging, the original Virgin logo from 1975 on the disc, and a nice BONUS of an extended intro track remixed (sympathetically) by Steve Wilson. Lovely though the new box set is (In Search Of Hades) I am happy to get one of the discs at a time and enjoy the sound and extras each copy has. I do think this is how remasters should be handled, sympathetically and with care. Well done to all involved :-))

This is a review of the 1995 remaster. This is an atmospheric recording. There is however some very faint background hiss which may be a hangover from the original 1975 recording.The recording feels very spacious and has a good dynamic range. The sound stage is reasonably broad which adds to the feeling of atmosphere.The recording’s channel separation is reasonable and there is no unintended spread between the channel which are well balanced. The male choir is clear and used to good effect as an instrument. The cymbals are a little “soft”.The tracks are not complex or layered. Each sound is well placed and identifiable. Once the beats start they pulse in the background without being overly deep or resonant.Initially the recording sounds a little flat but gradually comes alive despite the limited recording technology of the early 1970s. There is little reverberation or echo. There is no audible compression or distortion on the recording which sounds good for its age.I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.

This was bought for my husband, who loves this and is always playing it, he says it is a brilliant album, i have heard it and would agree, it is very relaxing with interesting electronic instrumental, that cascades into different sounds and tunes, and from his and my perspective well worth getting in.

I have all of their origanal albums on vinyl & to have more than half of them on CDs is absolutely great, it saves on ware and devaluing the vinyls. All the CDs that I have sounds fantastic, I've been to see them a good few times in thier concert's they are diamond geezers. Thanks team for the Dvd C U again soon!!!

Steven Wilson has improved on a fantastic album