Tangerine Dream
Underwater Sunlight
- Studio, released July 1986 -
Covers
CD release UK 1986
Photo: Monique Froese
CD release Germany 1986
Photo: Monique Froese
CD release Europe 1996
Photo: Monique Froese
Tracks
[a] [b]
Total running time 40:09 45:15
Details
Recording date April 1986
Recording site(s) Dream Studios (Berlin)
Producer(s) Edgar Froese, Chris Franke, Paul Haslinger
Notes
"You can produce the sound of two hands clapping. Now, how does one hand sound?"
- Zen question Shortly after
Johannes Schmoelling had left TD, friends of Edgar Froese pointed out a keyboard player who was earning his daily bread in the Vienna jazz club scene: Paul Haslinger, who was only 23 when Edgar Froese invited him to join a studio session in Vienna along with Chris Franke. At first it didn't appear likely that Paul -- who was mainly a funk jazz pianist -- could replace Johannes. TD was a completely different musical concept for Paul and it meant a lot of hard work before he could musically orientate himself for the spring 1986 UK and USA tours. Paul was used to working hard and Edgar and Chris were patient, so that both tours were successfully completed, and Paul became a regular member for the next four years. The first album featuring Paul Haslinger was
Underwater Sunlight, released in summer 1986.
As Haslinger recalls, "I came to Tangerine Dream's Berlin studio and there were all the instruments I'd ever dreamed of. You didn't see me for a year because I was always behind them, working out things. Since Underwater Sunlight was the first album I was involved in, it was also the most spontaneous one -- at least from my perspective. After completing the '86 UK tour, we went straight back into the studio and recorded it in little more than three months. It happened with ease and I think you can hear that in the music." For his part, Haslinger admirably conceded, "I don't think Tangerine Dream was changed by me. The mastermind and leader has always been Edgar."
Re-Releases
Underwater Sunlight saw several re-releases in CD format throughout the years.
In August 2011 the album was re-released by Esoteric Records on their Reactive label as part of a re-issue of the TD back catalogue of the Pink and Blue Years. The album was completely remastered and comes with a nice 16-page booklet including numerous photos plus an essay written by journalist Malcolm Dome. Like most of the albums of this re-release series
Underwater Sunlight comes with a bonus track,
Dolphin Smile, that originally had been released on the 12" US single
Dolphin Dance only. While previous re-releases of this album missed the opportunity to include this composition, Esoteric did a fine job in releasing this ultra-rare track on an official CD for the very first time.
Releases
Benelux
- 1986: Jive/CNR
- LP [a]: 656.080; blue labels
Canada
- 1986: Jive/RCA/Ariola
- LP [a]: HIP 40; world map labels with printing 'RCA/Ariola'
- LP [a]: HIP 40; world map labels with printing 'BMG'
Europe
- 1996: Essential/Castle
- CD [a]: ESMCD366
- 2003: Sanctuary/Castle
- CD [a]: CMRCD654; standard jewel case with additional cardboard wrapper
- 2011: Reactive/Esoteric
- CD [b]: EREACD 1020; multicoloured disc
Germany
- 1986: Jive/Teldec
- Promo-LP [a]: 6.26377 AP; world map labels; promo insert
- LP [a]: 6.26377 AP; world map labels
- CD [a]: 8.26377 ZP
- 1992: Jive/BMG
- CD [a]: WD 75216
Greece
- 1986: Jive
- LP [a]: 40015; blue labels
Italy
- 1986: Jive
- LP [a]: HIP 26
Japan
- 1988: Alfa
- CD [a]: 32 XB-223
Portugal
- 1986: Jive/Edisom
- LP [a]: 614 420; blue labels
UK
- 1986: Jive
- LP [a]: HIP 40; world map labels
- LP [a]: HIP 40; blue labels
- CD [a]: CHIP 40
USA
- 1986: Relativity
- Promo-LP [a]: EMC 8113; picture labels, gsc
- LP [a]: EMC 8113; picture labels
- LP [a]: 88561-8113-1; picture labels
- LP [a]: 88561-8113-1; black labels
- CD [a]: 88561-8113-2
- 1996: Sequel/Castle
- CD [a]: 1046-2
- 2000: Castle
- CD [a]: CMACD579
- 2003: Sanctuary
- CD [a]: 06076-81297-2