Tangerine Dream – The Sessions IV
There are certain names in music that carry a weight far beyond personnel changes, fashion, or even time itself. Tangerine Dream is one of those names.
So let’s address the elephant in the room straight away.
Yes, there are no original members left in Tangerine Dream. And yes, I know some of you will be waiting for me to say that. But here’s the thing: every musician in the current line-up worked alongside Edgar Froese, and every release since his passing has carried his presence, his philosophy, and—dare I say it—his DNA.
Edgar Froese may no longer be with us, but his spirit absolutely is.
And The Sessions IV proves that beyond any doubt.
What are The Sessions albums?
Historically, Tangerine Dream were never about recreating albums on stage. In the ’70s especially, the studio releases were almost separate worlds to the live experience—concerts were improvised journeys, unrepeatable and untamed.
The Sessions series captures that ethos for the modern era.
These albums are built from live improvisations recorded during concerts, later shaped into cohesive, flowing releases. What’s remarkable about The Sessions IV is that you would never guess it’s live—there’s no crowd noise until the very end of side four on the vinyl. It feels immersive, intentional, and deeply considered.
The listening experience
I first played this album during a yoga session—Tangerine Dream has always been perfect for filling a space and shifting your headspace—and almost immediately I knew this was something special.
The opening piece, Four Degrees Parallax (Part One), recorded in Italy in October 2018, instantly transported me back to the spirit of Phaedra and Rubycon. Mellotron-like textures, slow-burning synth layers, and that unmistakable sense of melancholy—music that doesn’t demand attention, but rewards it deeply.
As the side progresses, sequencers begin to pulse, gently at first, then with hypnotic insistence. It’s classic Tangerine Dream language, spoken fluently.
Side Two continues seamlessly, adding a subtle Eastern and mystical feel, while Side Three—recorded in Oslo—leans into atmosphere and emotional weight. By the time we reach the Gothenburg recording on Side Four, everything feels fully realised: cinematic, reflective, and quietly powerful.
At no point did I think, “Oh, they’re still doing this.”
Instead, I thought, “They’re doing this perfectly.”
Vinyl, format, and active listening
This is an 80-minute journey, so yes, the CD version is undoubtedly practical. But the vinyl? It’s absolutely gorgeous. Silent pressing, beautiful colour, and one of those records that reminds you why we stand up, turn sides over, and actively listen.
I also want to mention how much I love the violin textures within this era of Tangerine Dream—it adds an organic, human edge that works beautifully within the electronic framework.
The current Tangerine Dream line-up
The band today consists of:
- Thorsten Quaeschning – musical director, synths
- Hoshiko Yamane – violin, electronics
- Paul Frick – synths, piano, electronics
All three worked closely with Edgar Froese and continue to honour his vision while allowing the music to breathe and evolve.
If you love Tangerine Dream, I feel completely confident saying you will love The Sessions IV. From the first minute to the eightieth, it’s immersive, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
I didn’t own the previous volumes before this. I do now—or at least, I will very soon.
This is Tangerine Dream doing what Tangerine Dream have always done best:
creating soundtracks for inner and outer journeys alike.
