Tangerine Dream’s brilliant use of the sequencer is an outstanding compositional element of “Phaedra”. The patterns shift through different time signatures in linear progressions, creating sensations of depth, as if the listener is descending deep within a bottomless expanse. Delay effects are timed in unison with the sequenced notes, cascading them into more complex divisions. Lush synthesizer strings and a Mellotron are enhanced by phasers, morphing the tones with an elastic character that one might describe as “otherworldly”. Dark and surrealistic, “Phaedra” is a masterpiece of the era and sets a precedent for excellence. It should be noted that Phaedra is a character from Greek mythology, dramatized in the play “Hippolytus” by Euripides.

This is certainly one of the better early New Age/progressive synth-space LPs of it's time.
Definitely an important lp in the history of progressive synth music.

One listen to the title track and you'll be left in awe. Almost thirty years after it was released, it still defies definition, at least to this listener. 'Phaedra' is an amazing collection of rich synth textures, rigid sequenced and arpeggiated effects, and unusual repetative harmonies that would sound right at home on any Orb or Pole release. If Tangerine Dream conjures up images of stringy Prog music-listening hippies with long hair then understand that without their influence, Alex Patterson would have stayed put in some crappy UK indie paisley guitar band. Or an underpaid roadie.

In Holland they mean with a 'weird duck' something deviant from the others. Phaedra and Rubycon are the
weird ducks in my collection. I hardly believe these records are from 1974 and 1975!! When you hear the
sounds that were used it's almost impossible. Phaedra is timeless and the 'pill of inspiration' for many artists in
the future.. The quik'n'easy laptop producers generation have to hear Phaedra and....RESPECT it...