The Best of the Private Tapes is a two-CD set made up of experimental tracks that were found in guitarist Manuel Gottsching's tape files by keyboard player and Ash Ra Temple member Klause Schulze. Without any changes added or taken away, this lengthy double disc is an overdose of soundscapes and electronic passages that requires the utmost patience and assertiveness to wallow through. In its finer moments, tracks like "Whoopee" and "Ice Train" cast wonderment and intrigue by way of Gottsching's interesting guitar motifs. Gottsching uses both slide and rhythm guitar, gongs, a vibraphone, and even a harp on both "Begleitmusik" tracks, and it does make for some extravagant excerpts. The difficulty in warming up to the music will result in a loss of complete regard for the numerous styles of guitar playing, which is what is being spotlighted on the album. Keep in mind that this is only an experimental effort, so interested fans of Ash Ra Temple will want to give this album a listen.