Wahnfried: Trancelation (1994)

Wahnfried - Trancelation

Wahnfried 5

Klaus Schulze (keyboards)
Georg Stettner (keyboards)
U. W. Überschall (sampling)
Michael Bölter (guitar, track 6)
Mark Figge (saxophone, track 8)
Hanz Marathon (guitar, track 8)
Marian Gold (vocals, track 10)

Track Listing:

1.	Intrance	04:49
2.	Future World	05:55
3.	I like to do something for you	04:22
4.	Crazy About	04:12
5.	Abyss	08:22
6.	Mental Atmosphere	05:03
7.	Wahnfried's Dream	04:05
8.	Future World 2	12:14
9.	Transistor Radio	04:53
10.	Duel	03:51
11.	Oriental 1	05:41
12.	Oriental 2	06:19
13.	The End - Someday	04:12

Rating: 5 Stars

This is the fifth album that Klaus Schulze made using the pseudonym Richard Wahnfried. On the cover the album's artist is merely Wahnfried, but on the track "Wahnfried's Dream" the computer voice says "Yes, it's me. I am Richard Wahnfried". It was only released on CD, as was typical in 1994. After being out of print for 20 years, it was finally re-released this year.

The tracks are distinct pieces of music, each with its own identity, but they're connected to one another in a single mix.

At the time it was released the album was described as "Klaus Schulze does Techno". I found that description rather trashy, but if it was intended to attract Techno fans who didn't know Klaus Schulze's music I'll let it stand. For me the album is far removed from the Techno of the 1990's, but it's very beat-oriented. In fact, the weakest tracks on the album are the ones which are less rhythmic, such as "Abyss" and "Duel". All the rest are pure Schulze brilliance, making this the best Wahnfried album so far.