A Revolutionary Impact of Ashra’s ‘New Age of Earth’ on the Electronic Music Landscape
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Ashra, a German musician known for his groundbreaking work in electronic music, redefined the genre with resonant production, powerful compositions and truly inventive record-making. His 1976 musical beacon, ‘New Age of Earth’, served as a pivotal moment in the development of ambient music, indeed being attributed as the birth of ‘new age’ music. The guitarist cum synthesizer player, Manuel Göttsching, propelled the project forward after the disbandment of Ash Ra Tempel, his former band. Göttsching’s shift from psychedelic rock music towards a more electronic-oriented sound created a distinctive brand, also marking the trailblazer’s transition as a solo artist.
Ashra’s revolutionary adaptation and visionary work in ambient and electronica begun soon after the concluding performance of Ash Ra Tempel in February 1973. Following a short interlude from the music scene, Göttsching wielded his creativity to release his debut solo album Inventions for Electric Guitar in 1975. This record established Göttsching’s elemental effects that would appear later in Ashra’s groundbreaking works. His commission to produce a film soundtrack the same year resulted in the 1993 album Le Berceau de Cristal, released under the name Ash Ra Tempel, despite the absence of other original members.
The rarity of Ashra’s ‘New Age of Earth’ in the realm of electronica, was characterized by Göttsching’s role as the sole instrumentalist on all tracks. His solo works, including the 1977 album ‘Blackouts’, offered an undiluted representation of his creativity and cemented his mastery in the electronic music genre. The reign of Ashra was embellished with the addition of renowned guitarist and keyboardist, Lutz Ulbrich, who was an integral part of the band’s musical evolution. Ulbrich had earlier collaborated with Göttsching for the recording of Le Berceau de Cristal soundtrack.
It was in 1979, that the third Ashra album,’ Correlations’, saw the light of day. It featured music from both Göttsching and Ulbrich, alongside ex-Wallenstein and Cosmic Couriers drummer Harald Grosskopf, who had previously participated in Ash Ra Tempel’s final depository. They would release one more album, ‘Belle Alliance’, under this new line-up. Spanish television also got a glimpse of their electrifying performance in 1981 during the “Musical Express” program.
Ashra’s influence in the world of electronic music grew in the mid-80s, while teaming up with the likes of Steve Baltes and Neuronium for albums like ‘@shra’, ‘Tropical Heat’ and ‘Sauce Hollandaise’, which embodied a more techno-oriented sound. With these releases, Ashra’s music extended its reach, furthering its influence in the ever-evolving electronic music landscape. Despite Göttsching’s death in December 2022, his monumental contributions to the genre, as manifested with ‘New Age of Earth’ and his longstanding career, continue to inspire and echo in the works of many musicians today.
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