E2-E4, released in 1984, is the first solo recording album by Ash Ra Tempel

Ash Ra Tempel

Ash Ra Tempel are a German krautrock group of the 1970s, and are an example of cosmic or space rock.-History:The group was originally founded by guitarist Manuel Göttsching, keyboardist/drummer Klaus Schulze, and bassist Hartmut Enke in 1971. All three founding members had previously played...

 / Ashra

Ashra (band)

Ashra is a project begun by Manuel Gottsching in 1976, initially to facilitate his solo career although other members were included later on. The band's name is an abbreviation of the name of Gottsching's previous band, Ash Ra Tempel...

 guitarist, Manuel Göttsching

Manuel Göttsching

Manuel Göttsching is a German musician and composer.As the leader of the group Ash Ra Tempel or Ashra, one of the most notable German groups of the 1970s and 80s, as well as a solo artist, he is one of the most important guitarists of the Kosmische Musik genre. He also participated in the Cosmic...

. The album consists of a minimalistic hour-long progressive electronic track that is subdivided into single tracks according to the stage of the song. The second half of the record is notable for Göttsching's guitar playing. The album is named after the most popular opening chess move, 1. e4.

Track listing

• all songs written by Manuel Göttsching
  Manuel Göttsching
  Manuel Göttsching is a German musician and composer.As the leader of the group Ash Ra Tempel or Ashra, one of the most notable German groups of the 1970s and 80s, as well as a solo artist, he is one of the most important guitarists of the Kosmische Musik genre. He also participated in the Cosmic...
  
  

1. "Quiet Nervousness" - 13:00
2. "Moderate Start" - 10:00
3. "And Central Game" - 7:00
4. "Promise" - 6:00
5. "Queen a Pawn" - 5:00
6. "Glorious Fight" - 3:00
7. "H.R.H. Retreats (With a Swing)" - 9:00
8. "And Sovereignty" - 3:00
9. "Draw" - 3:00

Influence

It has been named as one of the best '80s albums for its important role on the development of late '80s and early '90s house music

House music

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...

 genre. Sueño Latino

Sueño Latino

Sueño Latino is an Italo House band from Italy: Andrea Gemolotto, Claudio Collino, Davide Rizzatti, Riccardo Persi.In 1989 they released the Ambient House classic, "Sueño Latino". The track is based on Manuel Göttsching's "E2-E4"...

 sampled E2-E4 on their 1989 song, "Sueño Latino".

LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem was a prominent American dance-punk band from New York City. It was fronted by American singer-songwriter and producer James Murphy, co-founder of record label DFA Records...

's "45:33

45:33

-CD reissue:Note: The first six tracks are listed simply as "45:33".-eMusic release:-Personnel:* James Murphy – drums, percussion, drum programming, handclaps, bass guitar, guitar, vocals, glockenspiel, clavinet, organ, synthesizer, vocoder...

" recording from 2006 was inspired conceptually by E2-E4 as indicated by the accompanying artwork and the lengthy duration of the piece.