Tangerine Dream

Tangerine Dream formed in Germany in the late 1960s, starting as an experimental rock group with founding members Edgar Froese, Klaus Schulze, and Conrad Schnitzler. They moved away from traditional song structures fairly quickly, using synthesizers and sequencers to create extended compositions that focused on sonic textures. Their 1974 album 'Phaedra' became a classic example of this approach, with tracks like 'Rising Runner Missed By Endless Sender' building ambient soundscapes over long durations.

Over the decades, the band's lineup changed frequently, though Froese remained a constant presence. Other notable members included Peter Baumann, who joined in 1971 and contributed to albums like 'Rubycon' and 'Stratosfear,' and Christopher Franke, who played keyboards and synthesizers through many of their recordings. Edgar's son Jerome Froese also joined in 1990 and stayed with the group until 2014.

Their discography grew to over 100 albums, including soundtrack work like 1981's 'Exit' for the film of the same name. Songs such as 'The Feathered Tiger' and 'Tyger' show their continued exploration of electronic textures across different periods. While they collaborated with artists like Brian Eno and David Gilmour, their core sound remained rooted in instrumental electronic compositions that avoided conventional pop structures.