Manuel Göttsching ‎- E2–E4 (LP Album)

Description

The album “Manuel Göttsching – E2-E4” is much more than just an album of electronic music . It is a complex and refined work of art, a sonic journey that opened new avenues for future generations of musicians.

Manuel Göttsching, German guitarist and composer, is best known for his work with the krautrock band Ash Ra Tempel. Towards the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, he moved towards a deeper exploration of electronic music, influenced by technological developments and new instruments available at the time, notably synthesizers and sequencers.

The album’s title refers to the most common opening move in chess (E2 to E4), symbolizing the start of a strategic and methodical journey, an apt metaphor for the album’s musical structure. In addition to its explicit reference to the classical chess opening, the title of the album “E2–E4” by Manuel Göttsching could also allude to the guitar, a central instrument in Göttsching’s career. The notes E2 and E4 effectively correspond to the lowest (low E) and highest (high E) strings of the guitar, respectively.

“Manuel Göttsching – E2-E4” is designed to be a continuous musical piece, divided into segments that flow together, creating an immersive and evolving listening experience.

The production of “Manuel Göttsching ‎- E2-E4” relies heavily on the innovative use of musical technologies of the time. Göttsching used a sequencer, Minimoog synthesizers, and a guitar, among other equipment. The sequencer plays a central role, generating repetitive patterns that form the rhythmic backbone of the song. The Minimoog, with its sound modulation possibilities, adds varied textures and rich harmonies.

One of the most impressive aspects of the album is the way Göttsching integrated the guitar into an electronic context. Rather than playing flamboyant solos, he uses effects like delay and reverb to create loops and ambiences, merging the sounds of the guitar with those of the synthesizers.

“Manuel Göttsching ‎- E2-E4” is often described as a meditative and introspective work. The repetitive and evolving nature of the music invites the listener to enter a trance-like state, where time seems to expand and contract. Listening to “E2–E4” can be compared to an inner journey. Each segment introduces new textures and patterns, while maintaining a continuity that guides the listener through an ever-changing soundscape. This immersive experience has been praised for its ability to induce deep concentration and relaxation.

The ability of “E2-E4” to remain relevant and influential more than four decades after its creation is a testament to its artistic quality and innovation. He continues to be a source of inspiration not only for electronic music musicians like Carl Craig or LCD Soundsystem, but also for those of many other genres, attesting to his the avant-garde vision of Manuel Göttsching.

Several period accounts and accounts from regular Paradise Garage clubbers mention the use of “E2-E4” in Larry Levan‘s sets. François Kevorkian, another influential DJ and contemporary of Levan, also confirmed the influence of Göttsching’s album on the New York dance scene and the way in which it was integrated into the sets of the time.