E2-E4

E2-E4 was the late Manuel Göttsching's most popular work, and for good reason. The entire album was recorded in one, free improvised take for each instruments such as a keyboard, sequencers, dual guitars, and drums. This album was a part of one giant song. Every track does not have an extra second to their minute, it is a perfect set of minutes-long tracks. I don't see the whole point in this, though - as we transition to another track, they sound the same as the previous track, with the only difference being the keyboards and the guitar. Everything else remains constant, with lack of variety separating the tracks next to each other. When I compare some of Manuel's work - such as the self-titled Ash Ra Tempel album or 'Inventions for Electric Guitar', the albums there have similar atmospheres but change overtime, but this one has the most steady field. The title track 'E2-E4', is a reference to a chess opening, suggesting that Manuel’s approach to the music is methodical and strategic, like a chess game. The reason for the name is not only because the album is about a game of chess, the harmonic pitch of Manuel's guitar strings were E2 and E4, two octaves apart from each other. Overall, 'E2-E4' was deeply introspective, purity, meditative, immersive, atmospheric, and japanese-sounding with the masterclass in restraint, patience, and sonic explorational dance music. Had Manuel messed up, you got to wonder if he had patience to restart those 54 minutes, or if there was an error in the tracks that were missed. Rest In Peace, Manuel.