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Ash Ra Tempel

From Alfawiki
Ash Ra Tempel
Company typeMusical ensemble
IndustryMusic
Founded1970
FounderManuel Göttsching, Klaus Schulze, Hartmut Enke
Defunct2001
Headquarters
Berlin
,
Germany
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Ash Ra Tempel was a krautrock ensemble from Germany, fronted by guitarist Manuel Göttsching, active between 1970 and 1976. Their inaugural record, Ash Ra Tempel (1971), is widely regarded as a seminal krautrock release. Following the band's disbandment, Göttsching proceeded with his musical career under the moniker Ashra.

History

Formed in 1971 by Göttsching alongside drummer Klaus Schulze and bassist Hartmut Enke after their tenure with Eruption, Ash Ra Tempel swiftly established a reputation. Prior to this, Schulze and Schnitzler had collaborated within Tangerine Dream.

Shortly after their first album, Schulze departed to focus on solo projects; later recordings featured a rotating lineup of drummers and guest musicians. In 1972, the group partnered with exiled psychologist and author Timothy Leary, resulting in the 1973 release Seven Up. On February 28, 1973, the original members reunited for a performance in Cologne, which led to the album Join Inn later that year, including contributions from vocalist Rosi Müller. Subsequently, Schulze and Enke exited the band; the 1974 album Starring Rosi credited only Göttsching and Müller, with drummer Harald Grosskopf and sound engineer Dieter Dierks participating.

In 1975, Göttsching issued his solo work Inventions for Electric Guitar, subtitled "Ash Ra Tempel VI," positioning it as the sixth installment in the band's discography. That same year, he collaborated on Philippe Garrel's film score Le berceau de cristal alongside Lütz Ülbrich of Agitation Free; this soundtrack saw an official release under Ash Ra Tempel only in 1993.

The 1976 album New Age of Earth, essentially a solo effort by Göttsching, was re-released in 1977 under the name Ashra, signaling the conclusion of Ash Ra Tempel. Ashra continued producing music into the early 2000s.

In April 2000, musician and writer Julian Cope invited Göttsching to perform at his Cornucopea festival. Although bassist Enke declined participation, Göttsching and Schulze revived the Ash Ra Tempel name for this event and subsequently released fresh material on the album Friendship later that year.

Musical style and influence

Ash Ra Tempel played a pivotal role in shaping genres such as space rock, krautrock, electronic music, and ambient soundscapes. Psychedelic groups like Acid Mothers Temple and Hash Jar Tempo drew inspiration from Ash Ra Tempel when naming themselves. The experimental rock band Al Berkowitz performed a cover of "Light: Look At Your Sun" from Schwingungen on their live record Apprenticeship and Attitude (2009). Additionally, Hungarian psychedelic hardcore act Galloping Coroners acknowledged Ash Ra Tempel as an influence during the late 1970s.

Members

  • Manuel Göttsching – guitar, synthesizers, vocals (1971–1976, 2000–2001; died 2022)
  • Hartmut Enke – bass guitar, guitar, synthesizers (1971–1973; died 2005)
  • Klaus Schulze – drums, synthesizers, vocals (1971, 1972–1973, 2000–2001; died 2022)
  • Wolfgang Müller – drums, percussion (1972)
  • Rosi Müller – vocals (1973–1976)

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Gin Rosé (2000) – recorded live at Royal Festival Hall, London
  • Ash Ra Tempel Experience (2017) – live performance in Melbourne, M.G Art

Compilations

  • The Best of the Private Tapes 2xCD (1998) – collection of demo sessions
  • Schwingungen/Seven Up (1998) – combines two original LPs on a single CD
  • Join Inn/Starring Rosi (1998) – compilation of two original LPs on one CD

Other releases

  • Inventions for Electric Guitar (1975) – released under "Ash Ra Tempel, Manuel Göttsching," subtitled Ash Ra Tempel VI; widely regarded as Göttsching’s debut solo record

Ashra

Ash Ra Tempel Experience

  • Ash Ra Tempel Experience (2017, live album) released by M.G Art

External links

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