1. Catalog & Identification

• Artist: Tangerine Dream (with additional music by Craig Safan)

• Album Title: Thief (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

• Label: Elektra Records

• Catalog Number: 5E-521 (or 5E 521 / 9 5E-521-1)

• Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo

• Country: US Original Pressing

• Release Year: 1981

• Genre/Style: Electronic / Berlin School / Ambient / Synth-Wave / Film Score

2. Film, Cast & Musical Significance

Directed by Michael Mann in his feature film debut, Thief (1981) is a seminal neo-noir crime thriller. The film stars James Caan as Frank, an expert jewel thief attempting to break free from the mob and go straight, alongside Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson, James Belushi (in his film debut), and Dennis Farina.

The hypnotic, pulsating synthesizer score composed by German electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream perfectly complemented Michael Mann’s slick, neon-drenched visual aesthetics. It remains one of the most iconic, influential electronic film scores of the 1980s, laying the foundation for synth-wave and modern cinematic scoring.

• Musical Lineup & Artists on Album:

  • Edgar Froese – Synthesizers, Keyboards, Guitars

  • Christopher Franke – Synthesizers, Keyboards, Electronic Percussion

  • Johannes Schmoelling – Synthesizers, Keyboards

  • Craig Safan – Composer & Performer on "Confrontation" (re-scoring the climactic final shootout)

• Production: Produced by Tangerine Dream; engineered by Tangerine Dream and Robert Fernandez.

3. Complete Tracklist

Side One

1. Beach Theme (Tangerine Dream) – 3:44

2. Dr. Destructo (Tangerine Dream) – 3:18

3. Diamond Diary (Tangerine Dream) – 10:48

4. Burning Bar (Tangerine Dream) – 3:02

Side Two

LISTEN   "Beach Theme"

• 1981 Original Soundtrack LP Released on Elektra Records # 5E-521 (Stereo).
  
  
  
• This is a Sealed Album and will perform with the Ultimate Sound Possible from this Recording. Saw mark by lower left edge. Peeled off shrink at same area.

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