Clara Mondshine – Luna Africana

Walter Bachauer’s solo debut under the alias Clara Mondshine is a brilliant example of early ambient music born out of the 70’s Berlin School movement, an offshoot of krautrock pioneered by Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and Manuel Göttsching on the west side of the Berlin Wall. Released on Schulze’s own label Innovative Communication, the album is a mysterious cosmic dream that combines the kraut “motorik” style of simple, repetitive rhythmic patterns with world influenced tones and melodies. A1 Die Drachentrommler (Dragon Drummers) features someone named “Sloto Olatunye” (possibly an alias of Schulze) creating a galloping rhythm pattern that sets the foundation for Bachauer to compose complex layers of hypnotic electronic synthesis. B2 Raga Des Aufgehenden Planeten (Raga Of The Rising Planet) is another beautiful track that borrows from classical Indian instrumentation with a mesmerizing tanpura drone… We recommend creating the right atmosphere to give this one a proper deep listen: lay back, turn the lights off, maybe light a candle or two, and let Luna Africana take you away.

– Tana Yonas

Recommended – Full Listen, A1 Die Drachentrommler, B2 Raga Des Aufgehenden Planeten