TRANS HARMONIC NIGHTS

by PETER BAUMANN
Reviewed by Pieter Uys

Peter Baumann was a member of Tangerine Dream, a German band

that was amongst the pioneers in the use synthesizers to explore new

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soundscapes. His first solo album was titled Romance 76 and the
following year he left TD for a solo career. Trans Harmonic Nights
was released in 1979. Besides a modular synthesizer, drums, horns
and recorders contribute to the beautiful, atmospheric sounds. THN is
entirely instrumental; Baumann would later release vocal albums
such as Repeat Repeat and Strangers In The night.

Unlike the long meandering pieces that Tangerine Dream is known

for, the tracks on Trans Harmonic Nights are relatively short, rhythmic
and buoyant, embellished with a breathtaking array of sound effects.
There is no evidence of voices in the sleeve notes thus one has to
assume that the sequences resembling vocals were creating by
synths, for example the title of the first track This Day appear in the
mix in a form that sounds like a vocoderized voice.

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A sense of loneliness and desolation permeates White Bench And
Black Beach, a downtempo number with mournful synths
occasionally punctuated by emphatic clusters of drumbeats. The
tempo escalates on the bouncy Chasing The Dream, an inspiring
tune where appealing warbling and tinkling crystalline textures weave
in and out of the mix. The melodious Biking Up The Strand is even
more appealing in the lilting flow of its rhythms and symphonic
trajectory.

Equally tuneful, Phaseday has more of a melancholic quality as the

synths approach the sound of organs and the recorder flutes achieve
prominence; it also has a “mood break” in the middle where the
drums cease and a spectacular variety of sound effects create a

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haunting interlude. What sounds like whispered vocals introduce
Meridian Moorland, a gently undulating excursion that evokes visions
of marshes, reeds and mists; a rhythm break leads into a series of
spooky drones, further whispers and SFX before the flowing texture
resumes for a brief outro.

The Third Site is a different animal altogether, with an edgy uptempo

beat and almost “industrial” flavor punctuated my reverberating beeps
and boings and whooshes and more of those choir-like “vocal’
infusions.

Trans Harmonic Nights concludes with the majestic Dance At Dawn

where the synths approximate trumpets and which definitely contains

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harmonic vocal samples. Its complex arrangement includes marching
beats and jungle drums and this track has a profoundly spiritual
undertone, much like Nosferatu by Popol Vuh.

It would not surprise me if a band like Autechre and those 1990s

purveyors of intelligent techno like Beaumont Hannant drew
inspiration from this masterpiece.

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Although nothing compares to Trans Harmonic Nights, there are
some moments of great beauty on Romance 76 and as for
Baumann’s vocal work, I recommend Repeat Repeat for the
unforgettable songs Home Sweet Home and Realtimes.