Christopher Franke was a member of Tangerine Dream from Alpha Centauri (1971) through Canyon Dreams (1987). He originally joined the Dream as an 18-year-old drummer, having previously played with Agitation Free. Along with founder Edgar Froese, Franke was a principal architect of the Tangerine Dream sound through the 70s and early 80s. His sequencer work on Rubycon and after changed the sound and shape of electronic music.
Disenchanted with what he felt was the band’s increasingly formulaic approach to making music (no argument there), Franke left Tangerine Dream to pursue a solo career. You would be right for thinking that his solo music would be less productized than Tangerine Dream. But you would be wrong, dead wrong. Franke’s first official release, Pacific Coast Highway, was frothy new age music that made the mid-80s Tangerine Dream sound like Zeit. Over the years, Franke would split his time between soundtracks (including the television sci-fi series, Babylon 5) and new age releases.
If you enjoy new age electronic music, I would recommend checking out Pacific Coast Highway, The London Concert and The Celestine Prophecy (yeah, I know, right?). But on the off chance that you’re expecting a return to the dark corridors of the old Dream, you won’t find it among the works of Franke.
The Discography
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (1991)
Black Garden View / Mountain Heights / Lontano Mystery / Big Sur Romance / Driving Into Blue / Purple Waves / Malibu Avenue / Cinnamon City Cliff / Wheels On Beach Park / Sunset Destination / Crystal Tree / Electric Becomes Eclectic. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in 1991 in the UK (Virgin, V/TCV/CDV 2661), the US (Sonic Images, 82094) and Japan (Virgin, VJCP-28050). Re-issued on compact disc in 1996 in the US (Sonic Images, SID-6507) and on February 24, 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, SI-8507).
UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (1992)
Vietnam Jungle / The Explosion / Unisols On Fire / McGregor / Grand Canyon / I’m Already Dead / The Truck / Escape From Airfield / Hoover Dam Takeover / Security Deposit / Going Home / The Fight / Back From Dead / Finale. Soundtrack released on compact disc and cassette in 1992 (Varese Sarabande, VSD/VSC-5373).
THE LONDON CONCERT (1992)
Circular Signs Suite Part 1: Empire of Light / Circular Signs Suite Part 2: Purple Waves / Circular Signs Suite Part 3: Cloudburst Flight / Circular Signs Suite Part 4: Black Garden View / Circular Signs Suite Part 5: Vermillion Sands / Mountain Heights / Dolphin Dance / Private Diaries. Released on compact disc and cassette in 1992 in the US (Varese Sarabande, VSD/VSC-5399); reached #7 on the US New Age charts. Re-issued on compact disc in 1996 in the US (Sonic Images, 8508).
NEW MUSIC FOR FILMS, VOL. 1 (1993)
Main Title / Big Country / Dramatic Ride / The Run / Getting Ready To Attack / Memories of Maria / The Attack / Will He Return? / Quiet Ocean / The Battle Begins / The Victory / Hidden Tears / The Fight / Romance Becomes Pain / The Battle Continues / Mysterious Discovery / Lurking Shadow / The Shock / Dream Sequence / Doomed / Threatening / Quiet Ocean Reprise / Creepy / Steven Stole It. Released on compact disc in 1993 in the US (Varese Sarabande, VSD-5393). Re-issued on compact disc in 1996 in the US (Sonic Images, SID-6509) and on February 24, 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, SI-8509).
KLEMANIA (1993)
Scattered Thoughts of a Canyon Flight / Inside The Morphing Space / Silent Waves. Released on compact disc on November 20, 1993 in Germany (Sonic Images, SICD 8110). Re-issued on compact disc in May 1995 in the US (Sonic Images, SI 8504). Re-issued on compact disc on February 24, 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, SID-6504).
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FROM THE TV SERIES RAVEN (1994)
Raven Theme / Wisdom of Love / Island Spirit / Don’t Walk Away / Change My Skin / Palm Beach / See The Light / House of the Sun / Haleakala / Black Dragons / Secret Memories / Rain Forest Chase / Mental Images / Yakuza / Guardians of the Night / Ski And The Big Kahuna. Soundtrack released on compact disc in 1994 in the US (Sonic Images, 6112). Re-issued on compact disc in July 1996 in the US (Sonic Images, 8112).
BABYLON 5 (1995)
Chrysalis / Mind War / Parliament of Dreams / Geometry of Shadows. Released on compact disc on May 18, 1995 in the US (Sonic Images, 8502). Re-issued on compact disc on November 18, 1997 in the US (Sonic Images).
Morphing Space (NAC Groove) (1995)
b/w Morphing Space (radio edit) + Morphing Space (ambient mix). Released on cmopact disc single in 1995 in Canada (Sonic Images).
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FROM “TENCHI THE MOVIE” – TENCHI MUYO IN LOVE (1996)
Prologue / The Opening / The Rhythm of Cause And Effect / First Encounter With Achika / Operative A / A Change In Tenchi / The Future House / Kain’s Image Analyses / Nobuyaki And Achika / Ryoko’s Chase / Tenchi’s Decision / Achika And Tenchi / Power Booster / The Battle Against Kain / Sadness / Come To The Rescue / The Power of Love / Kain’s Return / Achika’s Theme / Epilogue / Alchemy of Love / Achika In Rage. Soundtrack released on compact disc in July 1996 (Pioneer, 95060).
ENCHANTING NATURE (1996)
Gate of the Shimmering Cave / Song of the Creek / Dancing Over Pools / Celtic Mist / When The Sun Loves Trees / Silence of the Eclipse / Stream Garden / Purple Waves / Malibu Trail / Beach Park / Big Sur Romance / Silent Waves / Woodland Watercolors / Inside The Cave. Released on compact disc on August 15, 1996 in the US (Earth Tone, ET-7401).
PERRY RHODAN PAX TERRA (1996)
Bridge To Eternity / Wonders of Estartu / Atlan The Solitary Spirit of Time / Third Question / Mountain of Creation / Frost Ruby / Bridge To Eternity. Released on compact disc in 1996 in the US (Sonic Images).
THE CELESTINE PROPHECY: A MUSICAL VOYAGE (1996)
The Celestine Theme / Guided Dream To The Manuscript / Viciente / A Radiant Band of Light / Jensen – The Energy Thief / Mystical Experience On The Mountain / The Mission of Father Sanchez / Illumination / Scene At The Crossroads / The Quest For Unity / Confrontation / The Mystery of the Ruins – Wil’s Transfiguration. Released on compact disc on June 25, 1996 in the US (Priority, P2-50571); reached #5 on the US New Age charts.
BABYLON 5, VOL. 2: MESSAGES FROM EARTH (1997)
Main Title 1st Season / Messages From Earth / Main Title 2nd Season / Z’ha’dum / Main Title 3rd Season / Severed Dreams / Main Title 4th Season / Voices of Authority. Released on compact disc in March 1997 in the US (Sonic Images, 8602).
PACIFIC BLUE (1997)
Main Theme: Just Another Day In L.A. / Sky / Anymore / Mind’s Eye / In A Pot of Clay / Turn To Stone / Wicked Waves / Runaway / Dominique / Over The Falls / Black Sky / T.C. And Chris Roll / Palermo’s Revenge / Baby I’m Gone / Blackbird / We Do It Like This / Victor Victorious / Come Tuesday / Venice Pier Strut / Cory’s Big Chase / End Theme: Just Another Day In L.A. Released on compact disc in August 1997 in the US (Sonic Images, 8700) and Germany (Bellaphon, 290.25.008).
TRANSFORMATION OF MIND (1997)
Mind Space / Lens of Perception / Glory of Life / Change The World / Unconditional Love / Object of Referral / Magical Thinking / All Pervasive / Natural Scheme of Things. Released on compact disc on November 4, 1997 in the US (Earth Tone, 7704).
BABYLON 5: Z’HA’DUM (1997)
Destiny Awaits/Delenn At The Gray Council/Main Title / G’Kar & Ivanova/In Medlab/Sheridan Questions Delenn/Transitions In Space/I’ll Go / Anna Tells Her Story/Sheridan Gives In/Determined To Go / Toward Z’Ha’Dum/Arrival On Z’Ha’Dum/Meeting The Enemy / Into The Abyss / Epilog/What The Future May Hold/End Title. Released on compact disc on November 18, 1997 in the US (Sonic Images).
BABYLON 5: NO SURRENDER NO RETREAT (1998)
Enough Is Enough/Earth Stands Alone/Main Title / Marcus En Route/Vir’s Wakeup Call/Preparations For Battle / Sheridan’s Plan/Proxima III/Start Ground Attack/Londo And G’Kar In Trouble/Departure of the Fleet / Tensions Rising/The Battle Begins / No Surrender, No Retreat / Aftermath Moments/Winners And Losers/End Title. Released on compact disc on April 28, 1998 in the US (Sonic Images).
BABYLON 5: INTO THE FIRE (1998)
A Human Strategy/Main Title / No Two Cents For Chance/Bad News For Morden/An Undignified Position/First One’s Philosophy / The Weapon of Patience/Blowing Up The Island / A Wakeup Call/Calling In The First Ones/Vorions Spare Minbari / The Cycle of History/Beyond The Rim / The Dawning of the Third Age/End Title. Released on compact disc on April 28, 1998 in the US (Sonic Images).
BABYLON 5: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MR. GARIBALDI? (EP) (1998)
Franklin’s Log-Sheridan, The Living Dead-Main Title / Between Moments-Tic Toc-Bar Source-G’Kar Picks A Fight-Delenn’s Grief / Hiding Place-Friendship-Marcus Investigates-Tape Confessions-G’Kar Ambushed / Delenn Addresses Rangers-G’Kar, The Present / G’Lar & Londo Bargain-The First One / Lorien’s Explanation-Lorien’s Advice-End Title. Released on CDEP in 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, 0402).
BABYLON 5: FALLING TOWARD APOTHEOSIS (EP) (1998)
Our Greatest Enemy Is Fear-Main Title / Garibaldi Reviews Videos-Garibaldi Is Concerned-Cartagia’s Madness / Garibaldi’s Physical Exam-Interplanetary Emergency-A Reason To Come Back-Plan To Attack Kosh 2 / The Team Enters Kosh’s Quarters-The Vorlon Fights Back-Team Retreat-Fighting Evil / Light Against Darkness-G’Kar’s Execution Scheduled / Gathering of the Fleet-The Engagement Ring-G’Kar Loses His Eye-End Title. Released on CDEP in 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, 0404).
BABYLON 5: DARKNESS ASCENDING (1998)
Released on compact disc in 1988 in the US (Sonic Images, 0516).
BABYLON 5: SLEEPING IN LIGHT (EP) (1998)
Sheridan’s Dream-Sunrise / I Have A Message-Come To Minbar / How Long Do I Have?-Old Friends-I Am Going To Miss Him-Sheridan’s Last Wish / It’s Sunday On Earth-Good Night, My Love-Only Memory-Computer… Set Course / The White Light-Echoes From The Past-Dying Station-Delenn’s Sunrise / End Title. Released on CDEP in 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, 0523).
BABYLON 5: THIRDSPACE (1998)
Battle To Survive-Back To The Station-Telepathic Mindflash-Vision of a Shade-Hearing The Sound-The Bizarre Object / The Monstrous Artifact Arrives-Truth Is Inconvenient-There Is Danger-We Have A Deal-Lyta’s Nightmare-Bots Take Off / Bots Destroyed-You Have To Stop It-Lyta’s History-A Distant World-It Could Change Everything-The Black Tower-Ivanova’s Wild Dream-It’s Calling All of Us-The Vision of Thirdspace-We Have Contact / Activated Artifact-Under Outside Control-Launch The Fighters-The Vorlon Legacy-Ivanova Arrests Dr. Trent / Mobilization-Start The Attack-Vir’s Fight-Inside The Artifact-Sheridan Drifting In Space-One Mistake Out of So Many-End Credits. Released on compact disc in 1998 in the US (Sonic Images, SID-8900).
EPIC (1999)
A Radiant Band of Light / Morphing Space / Mental Images / Malibu Avenue / Love Scene / Dance Lesson / Woodland Watercolors / Flower Hill Trail / Viciente / Morning Ride / Sensual Persuasion / Silent Waves / Haleakala / Illumination / Sunset Destination / Mind Space / Stream Garden / Finale. Released on compact disc on April 2o, 1999 in the US (Sonic Images, 7907).
MUSIC FOR FILMS, VOL. 2 (2000)
Opening / Morning Ride / Attack On The Village / Damaged Goods / Jane’s Arrival / The Dam Breaks / Broken Dreams / Escape / A New Friendship / The Chase / Deadly Flight / Near Death / Dance Lesson / The Race / Flight For Opar / Finale. Released on compact disc on September 26, 2000 in the US (Sonic Images, SID-4906).
THE BEST OF BABYLON 5 (2001)
Main Title 2nd Season / The Geometry of Shadows III / Severed Dreams: Sheridan & Father / Severed Dreams: Mobilization / Severed Dreams: The Big Battle / Shadow Dancing: The Signal / A Late Delivery From Avalon: Awakening / Shadow Dancing: Countdown / Main Title 3rd Season / Z’Ha’Dum: Into The Abyss / Walkabout: Begin To Attack The Shadows / Shadow Dancing: Emergency Treatment / The Geometry of Shadows II / The Geometry of Shadows I / Main Title 4th Season / Main Title 5th Season / Sleeping In Light: Dying Station / Bonus Theme. Released on compact disc on September 11, 2001 in the US (Sonic Images).
BABYLON 5: THE LOST TALES (2007)
Intro 1 / Main Title / Opening / The Priest / Exorcism / The Stench / Your Name / Energy / Devil Threat / The Dream / Log Search / Send Back / Epilogue 1 / Intro 2 / Londo / G’Kar / Hyperspace / Destruction / Kill / I’m Save / Describe / The Station / Starfury / Prepare / Landing / Party / Epilogue 2 / End Credits. Released on compact disc on June 24, 2007 in the US (Varese Sarabande).
