Ash Ra Tempel

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ash Ra Tempel


Img_capt =
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Berlin, Germany
Genre = Krautrock
Space rock
Years_active = 1970–1976
2000–2001
Label = Ohr
Virgin
Komische
King
Cleopatra
Associated_acts = Ashra
Eruption
Tangerine Dream
The Cosmic Jokers
URL = [http://www.ashra.com Official site]
Current_members = Manuel Göttsching
Klaus Schulze
Past_members = Hartmut Enke
Timothy Leary
Rosi Mueller
Lutz Ulbrich

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 [ [http://www.higgs1.demon.co.uk/barritt/mojo.htm The Making of 7-Up ] ] .

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

*"Ash Ra Tempel" (1971)
*"Schwingungen" (1972)
*"Seven Up" (credited to: Timothy Leary & Ash Ra Tempel) (1972)
*"Join Inn" (1973)
*"Starring Rosi" (1973)
*"Inventions For Electric Guitar" (1974)
*"Le Berceau de Cristal" (soundtrack) (1975)
*"Friendship" (2000)

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

* [http://www.ashra.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/feature/ash_ra_tempel "Unsung: Ash Ra Tempel"]
* [http://www.myspace.com/ashratempel Myspace]
* [http://www.higgs1.demon.co.uk/barritt/mojo.htm The Making Of "Seven Up"] from April 2003 issue of "Mojo" magazine:
*Last.fm|Ash+Ra+Tempel