Time is the Key is the fourth album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong. It was released in late 1979 by Arista Records.[2]

Time is the Key
Studio album by
ReleasedLate 1979 (Late 1979)
RecordedKonk studios, August 1979
GenreJazz rock, progressive rock[1]
Length43:39
LabelArista
ProducerPierre Moerlen
Pierre Moerlen's Gong chronology
Downwind
(1979)
Time is the Key
(1979)
Leave It Open
(1981)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Featuring an all-instrumental jazz-driven sound, notable for the prominent use of vibraphone, it has little to do with the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen's Gong, even though the two bands share a common history.

It features the English jazz keyboard player Peter Lemer on most tracks, their only album to do so, and Allmusic notes that there is also a progressive rock influence on the album, particularly on the first two tracks.[1]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Pierre Moerlen, except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Ard Na Greine" (Irish for "Height of the Sun")6:10
2."Earthrise"2:25
3."Supermarket"3:35
4."Faerie Steps"5:33
5."An American in England" (Hansford Rowe)2:57
6."The Organ Grinder"3:56
7."Sugar Street"2:22
8."The Bender"3:16
9."Arabesque Intro & Arabesque"5:18
10."Esnuria Two"5:34
11."Time is the Key"2:29

Personnel

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Pierre Moerlen's Gong
Former Pierre Moerlen's Gong
Additional personnel
  • Darryl Way – violin (1)
  • Joe Kirby – double bass (1, 2)
  • Peter Lemer – keyboards (3 - 11), Polymoog (6 - 10)
  • Nico Ramsden – lead and rhythm guitar (8)

Produced by Pierre Moerlen

Production credits

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  • Engineering – John Rollo
  • Mastering – Ray Staff at Trident
  • Photography – Jay Myrdal and Sheila Rock
  • Sleeve layout and design – Steve Ridgeway and Julie Harris
  • Additional engineer – Brian Risner
  • Studio co-ordination – Brian Risner

References

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  1. ^ a b c "allmusic ((( Time Is the Key > Overview )))". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Pierre Moerlen's Gong: Time Is The Key". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  • Macan, E. L., Macan, E. (1997). Rocking the Classics: English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture. Germany: Oxford University Press. p. 243