Originally conceived as a one off, for fun project, "The Dream Mixes" has expanded to 3 titles so far. While the 1st contained mostly re-mixes of titles from their previous 3 albums, the 2nd volume signalled a new direction for Tangerine Dream, with only 1 song being noted as a re-mix, the others being so thoroughly de-constructed they were given new titles. On "The Past Hundred Moons" 2 songs are noted. Also here TD did something which was previously unthinkable - as source music they went to pieces composed before the Froese/Froese era began! Edgar Froese has long been criticized for adding new sounds to old tracks on compilations (in his defense he says that since all the music was previously released, he may as well do something different with it so fans aren't paying money for the same thing twice - you be the judge), but here it gets the "Dream Mixes" treatment. Tracks fron "Poland" and "Logos" are prominent, and Jerome (aka TDJ Rome) turns "Astrophobia" into a drum n' bass romp. The sequences, even when (seemingly) new, harken back to the old days as well, and those simple little melodies that TD has produced of late are prominent (especially on "Meng Tian"). The biggest cringe I get is reading the liner notes, where they "extend some extra loud shouts", presumably to their homeys. Since it is customary to note which era of TD you follow closest, I should say that I like the Scmoelling era (especially 1980-84) and The Millenium Years (1995-present) the best, which probably explains why I'm so enthusiastic about this album.

Another fine production from the mixmasters at TD labs. Dream Mixes are fun for long-time TD fans, because they rename the tracks after they remix them. Thus, you have to listen carefully for clues -- licks, hooks, certain familiar sound effects -- to figure out which track it is that's being remixed. On this collection Froese & Co. cover almost their entire history, from "Great Wall of China" all the way back to "Poland," "Logos" and even "Thief." Won't break any new ground, but it's solid danceable electronica with a little more going on harmonically and a nice addition to your collection.

I like this set of remixes from Froese and Froese. I have Dream Mixes 1, 2 and (recently) 3. Whereas I would rank Vol. 2 as first on my list, it focuses mostly on remixing and embellishing the TD 90's output (which is not my personal favorite period of the band, but the re-imaginings of those pieces is wonderful). In contrast, my new second favorite, DM Vol. 3, is a remix "romp" through their 80's output, mostly taking themes from their longer 80s live pieces (I believe from Pergamon and Logos albums, maybe also from Livemiles) and giving them an updated treatment. For me, these are themes I know well, and they were immediately recognizable to me when I heard their treatment on DM Vol. 3. (I have not sat down and catalogued which DM-3 selection is from which 80s live disc, so maybe someone else with more time and a better memory has done so...that would be a great post here, or for the Yahoo TD forum.) Highly recommended!