Sophomore studio album from rock pioneer Brian Eno. Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) was originally recorded in 1974 and is somewhat of a concept album inspired by a series of postcards of a Chinese revolutionary opera with the same name. Eno worked with a core group of musicians that consisted of Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, Brian Turrington and Freddie Smith of The Winkies and former Soft Machine vocalist Robert Wyatt. This is also where Eno developed his now legendary Oblique Strategies instruction cards, along with his friend Peter Schmidt. The music is as varied as it is experimental. There's proto-punk, wacky lyrics and an overall upbeat feel to the album. Includes the songs: "Third Uncle," "Burning Airlines Give You So Much More," and "Back In Judy's Jungle." Ten tracks in all.

• black vinyl pressing
• remastered sound
• gatefold sleeve
• original release year: 1974
• music label: Astralwerks 2017

reviewed by lipstick and lashes 09/2017