On their last trip to Silberland, Bureau B hurtled along the chrome highways and glass skyways of the kosmische landscape, powered ever onwards in perpetual motorik motion. This time, however, the Hamburg imprint opt for an unhurried itinerary, coasting far beyond the familiar rhythmic terrain to explore crystal caverns and emerald pastures, immersing listeners in the ambient side of this alternative Allemagne. Building on the tape loops, tone poems, and minimalist compositions of the 60’s avant-garde, these musicians utilised the sweeping scope of the synthesiser to create expansive meditations on outer-planetary escapism, human connection, and the natural world. This compilation offers a survey of this singular era, blending pioneering voices with lesser-known artists for an immersive sonic experience.

Taken from Cluster & Eno’s self-titled 1977 album, “Ho Renomo” opens the set with a profound minimalism. The tracks swaying bassline and textural guitar carry listeners through a tranquil and meditative space, capturing a spirit of collaboration and simplicity that became a hallmark of the era. Roedelius Veilchenwurzeln follows, evoking pastoral scenes in a multi-layered and undulating composition, where synths flow gently, conjuring images of open fields and embodying an organic warmth. Der Plans Die Wste delves into darker territories, translating the visual world of Rainer Kirberg’s cult film into a stark soundscape, while Rolf Trostels Hope Is The Answer sees a steady sequence rise and fall beneath the filter, mutating a recurring refrain from his ‘Two Faces’ LP into a melancholic torch song from the stars. The koto-like plucks and piercing drones of Vono’s Hitze create a mysterious and hypnotic experience which draws on both ancient and futuristic tones before giving way to “E-Night”, a recording from the sessions of You’s 1980 LP ‘Electric Days’, which only emerged via later expanded-editions. Reverb-laden synths and delicate pulses evoke vast open spaces in this arpeggiated journey through the stars. As the album progresses, Serge Blenners Phrase IV beguiles with minimalist yet celestial synth lines, while Moebius Falsche Ruhe offers a quiet, haunting meditation on solitude. From there, Harald Grosskopfs Oceanheart, envelops listeners in aquatic ambient textures that suggest serene, moonlit waters – a perfect surface to reflect the starry sky portrayed by Lapres acoustic guitar and wistful synths.

The glimmering, crystalline, landscape of Riechmanns Abendlicht finds a heartbeat amongst the tranquility, leading seamlessly into the unhurried progression of shimmering chords and chiming synths which make up Adalbert von Deyen’s “Per Aspera Ad Astra”. Unreleased until Bureau B’s recent retrospective set, Fausts Lampe An, Tr Zu, Leute Rein! channels a darker, introspective, energy, marked by drones and field recordings while Conrad Schnitzlers Electric Garden creates an electronic biosphere buzzing with synthetic life. Moebius & Planks Nordstliches Gefhl pairs calm percussion and rhythm guitar with pastoral, swirling electronics, resulting in a lush, stately piece that captures the spirit of a vast, open landscape.

Blurring fast-paced sequences into a shimmering haze, Deutsche Wertabeit delivers hypnotic minimalism reminiscent of Philip Glass at his mesmeric best, before Asmus Tietchens Ruschlinge pulls the listener into an eerie atmosphere of deep disquiet. Pyrolators Minimal Tape 1/8 offers an immersive wall of sound, a dense electronic tapestry that feels tactile and sculptural. The wintry Southland by Rdiger Lorenz evokes the isolation of frozen landscapes, a fitting prologue for Alleewalzer by Thomas Dinger, an icy yet delicate waltz, which rounds out this collection with a haunting, fragile beauty. This collection is a testament to the evocative power of early electronic music. Each track serves as a portal, guiding us into a realm where sound becomes landscape, emotion, and narrative.

This compilation invites you to explore the quiet revolutions, serene spaces, and deep introspection at the heart of German electronic music’s formative years.

1.Cluster & Brian Eno – Ho Renomo
2.Hans-Joachim Roedelius – Veilchenwurzeln
3.Der Plan – Die Wste
4.Rolf Trostel – Hope Is the Answer
5.Vono – Hitze
6.You – E-Night (Bureau B Edit)
7.Serge Blenner – Phrase IV
8.Moebius – Falsche Ruhe
9.Harald Grosskopf – Oceanheart
10.LaPre – Tedan (Bureau B Edit)
11.Wolfgang Riechmann – Abendlicht
12.Adelbert von Deyen – Per Aspera Ad Astra (Mental Voyage) (Bureau B Edit)
13.Faust – Lampe an, tr zu, leute rein! (Bureau B Edit)
14.Conrad Schnitzler – Electric Garden (Bureau B Edit)
15.Moebius & Plank – Nordstliches Gefhl (Bureau B Edit)
16.Dorothea Raukes – Unter Tage (Bureau B Edit)
17.Asmus Tietchens – Rauschlinge
18.Pyrolator – Minimal Tape 1/8
19.Rdiger Lorenz – Southland (Bureau B Edit)
20.Thomas Dinger – Alleewalzer