Blaine L. Reininger and Michael Belfer - Night Air Plus (2002)

Night Air on Sharebee

Night Air follows Reininger's and Belfer's personal journeys stranded in one of Europe's capitals. This sentiment is best captured in Birthday Song, where Reininger sings "There's Nothing, Nobody Home / Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to See."

Reininger, along with his other American band mates in Tuxedomoon, fled San Francisco in search of the Europe they admired. Everything turned out differently from what they hoped: they found themselves stuck in gray Brussels with little money, erratic touring schedules, expired visas, and many drugs.

Dissatisfied with working conditions, Reininger shortly left Tuxedomoon. A fortunate encounter with old friend and musician Michael Belfer set Reininger to begin work on the next "solo" album. Together they weave a tense mixture of light and dark textures: glimmers of optimism poking through the loneliness and cynicism. Before everything becomes too serious, Reininger's characteristic humor highlights the absurdity of the situation. Its beautiful melodies and haunting imagery will accompany you after listening.

This reissue includes the epic Crash from Tuxedomoon's What Use? 7" single. It also includes an alternate mix by The Residents.

You owe it to yourself to hop on over to Blaine's excellent Mundo Blaineo site for all things Reininger and Tuxedomoon. Also, check out the video for "Mystery And Confusion" on YouTube.

Release Info

Label: Les Disques Du Crépuscule (Les Temps Modernes)
Release: 1983 (2002 remaster)
Type: Album
Genre: 80s, ambient, electronic, experimental, rock, new wave, synth-pop
Length: 44:11 (1:14:11)

Alain Goutier - Bass and fretless bass
Blaine L. Reininger - vocals, violins, keyboards, piano, percussion, lyrics
Michael Belfer - guitar, electric guitar, lyrics
Steven Brown - organ, saxophone, and synths
Winston Tong - Backing vocals on (2)
Marc Hollander - Clarinets on (5)

Realized 1983 at Daylight Recording Studios, Brussels.

Track Listing
01. Night Air (4:01)
02. Birthday Song (4:10)
03. Beak People (4:47)
04. Mystery And Confusion (4:15)
05. Intermission (2:06)
06. Ash And Bone (6:19)
07. L'Entree De L'Hierophante (3:26)
08. Un Café Au Lait For Mr. Mxyzptlk (5:22)
09. Miraculous Absence (3:47)
10. El Mensajero Divino (5:36)

2002 Remaster Bonus Tracks
11. Mystery And Confusion (7" Mix) (4:01)
12. Bizarre Bizarre (3:58)
13. Windy Outside (6:42)
14. Broken Fingers (4:57)
15. Crash (5:29)
16. Crash (Remix) (4:38) / Remix - The Residents