Category Archives: Berlin School

COLOGNE CURIOSITIES-THE UNKNOWN KRAUTROCK UNDERGROUND 1972-1976.

COLOGNE CURIOSITIES-THE UNKNOWN KRAUTROCK UNDERGROUND 1972-1976. Within Krautrock circles, the words “Pyramid Records” are guaranteed to provoke debate. Especially since the rediscovery of the Pyramid Records’ tapes just over twenty years ago. This should’ve been an exciting discovery. After all, it wasn’t every day that a hitherto small, unknown private record label’s back-catalogue was discovered? …

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MANUEL GOTTSCHING-INVENTIONS FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR.

MANUEL GOTTSCHING-INVENTIONS FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR. When Manuel Göttsching released Inventions For Electric Guitar in 1975, it was regarded as a new chapter in his career. Inventions For Electric Guitar was Manuel Göttsching’s debut solo album, and first album post Ash Ra Tempel album. Or was it? Eagle eyed record buyers having bought Inventions For Electric …

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ARBEIT SCHICKERT SCHNEIDER-A S S.

ARBEIT SCHICKERT SCHNEIDER-A S S. For the best part of fifty years, Berlin has produced many truly innovative musicians.  This includes Can, Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra and Cluster. They consistently produced groundbreaking music which even today, is influencing a new generation of musicians. Since then, Berlin has consistently produced many more talented and inventive musicians.  …

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VENEZUELA 70-COSMIC VISIONS OF A LATIN AMERICAN EARTH-VENEZUELAN EXPERIMENTAL ROCK IN THE 70S.

VENEZUELA 70-COSMIC VISIONS OF A LATIN AMERICAN EARTH-VENEZUELAN EXPERIMENTAL ROCK IN THE 70S. Over the last twenty years, the compilation market has been totally transformed. Nowadays, the compilation market is bigger, with many more labels regularly releasing compilations.  A turning point was the mid to late nineties, when many small, independent labels began to release …

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ELECTRI CITY_2.

ELECTRI CITY_2. At this time of year, most people’s thoughts turn to holidays. Some people are easily pleased, while others struggle to find the perfect holiday. They spend an inordinate amount of time flicking through holiday brochures. Part of the problem though, is the amount of choice. However, one group of people seem to be …

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MOGWAI-SCOTLAND’S POST ROCK PIONEERS.

MOGWAI-SCOTLAND’S POST ROCK PIONEERS. Although Scotland have produced many successful bands over the past forty years, there aren’t many that have enjoyed the longevity, commercial success and critical acclaim that Mogwai have. They were founded in 1995, and since then, have released eight albums of pioneering post rock. That’s not forgetting the four soundtracks that …

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KLAUS SCHULZE-CYBORG.

KLAUS SCHULZE-CYBORG. By the time Klaus Schulze released his debut solo album Irrlicht in 1972, he had already been in what would prove to be two of the most important, innovative and influential Krautrock bands, Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel. Both groups would write their names into the history books. However, being in a …

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LANIAKEA-A POT OF POWDERED NETTLES.

LANIAKEA-A POT OF POWDERED NETTLES. It was Charlie Rich who once famously sang: “who knows what goes on behind closed doors?” Everyone has probably thought that, as they make their way across an unfamiliar city. Often though, the weary traveller won’t even see the doors. Instead, doors are hidden away by privet hedges. Privacy in …

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KLAUS SCHULZE-IRRLICHT.

KLAUS SCHULZE-IRRLICHT. In 1969, Berlin’s vibrant musical scene was thriving. At the heart of Berlin’s music scene was the Zodiak Free Arts Lab. It was the cultural centre of the city. This was where some of Germany’s top bands took their tentative steps towards greatness. However, the Zodiak Free Arts Lab was also a meeting …

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DIETER MOEBIUS-NURTON.

DIETER MOEBIUS-NURTON.  Although the late, great Dieter Moebius is best known for his groundbreaking work with Kluster, Cluster and Harmonia, he also enjoyed a successful solo career. However, Dieter Moebius’ solo career had to fit round his other musical commitments. So solo albums were sporadic. In total, Dieter Moebius released just five solo albums during …

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QLUSTER-ECHTZEIT-VINYL EDITION.

QLUSTER-ECHTZEIT-VINYL EDITION. Back in 1969, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Dieter Moebius and Conrad Schnitzler founded Kluster, which would become one of the most important groups in the nascent Krautrock movement. Kluster went on to release two albums between 1969 and 1971, Zwei-Ostere and Klopfzeichen. However, in 1971 Conrad Schnitzler announced that he was leaving Kluster. So Hans-Joachim …

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SULA BASSANA-SHIPWRECKED-VINYL EDITION.

SULA BASSANA-SHIPWRECKED-VINYL EDITION. Nowadays, most musicians are content to release an album every year or two. It’s a far cry from the sixties and seventies when bands would regularly release two albums a year. That most people thought, was a thing of the past. However, it’s not. Dave Schmidt is proof of this. His three …

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CLUSTER 1971-1981.

CLUSTER 1971-1981. The Cluster story began in the Zodiak Free Arts Lab in West Berlin. That’s where Hans-Joachim Roedelius first met Dieter Moebius. Little did they know that they were about to embark upon a musical journey that would last five decades.  During that period, Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius were part of three of …

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SØLYST-THE STEAM AGE.

SØLYST-THE STEAM AGE. Time management is important for any musician. Especially when they’re trying to juggle several projects at once. Some musicians struggle to do so, while others make it look ridiculously easy. This includes Düsseldorf based drummer Thomas Klein. He has been combining musical projects over the last three decades. Originally, Thomas Klein was …

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QLUSTER-ECHTZEIT.

QLUSTER-ECHTZEIT. Back in 1969, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Dieter Moebius and Conrad Schnitzler founded Kluster, which would become one of the most important groups in the nascent Krautrock movement. Kluster went on to release two albums between 1969 and 1971, Zwei-Ostere and Klopfzeichen. However, in 1971 Conrad Schnitzler announced that he was leaving Kluster. So Hans-Joachim Roedelius …

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NICKLAS SORENSEN-SOLO.

NICKLAS SORENSEN-SOLO. Back in late 2010, Copenhagen based instrumental rock trio Papir, released their eponymous debut album. Papir was released to critical acclaim, and in the process, launched the career of one of the rising stars of the Nordic music scene.  A year later, in 2011, Papir returned with their sophomore album Stundum. It was …

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SULA BASSANA-SHIPWRECKED.

SULA BASSANA-SHIPWRECKED. Nowadays, most musicians are content to release an album every year or two. It’s a far cry from the sixties and seventies when bands would regularly release two albums a year. That most people thought, was a thing of the past. However, it’s not. Dave Schmidt is proof of this. His three groups …

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BAUMAN/KOEK-BAUMAN/KOEK-VINYL EDITION.

BAUMAN/KOEK-BAUMAN/KOEK-VINYL EDITION. By 1978, German music was changing. The Krautrock era had ended in 1977, and there was a move towards electronic music. This wasn’t new.  The Berlin School had been around since the early seventies. It was also a precursor of ambient music, and went on to influence future generations of ambient musicians. Among the …

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BAUMAN/KOEK-BAUMAN/KOEK.

BAUMAN/KOEK-BAUMAN/KOEK. By 1978, German music was changing. The Krautrock era had ended in 1977, and there was a move towards electronic music. This wasn’t new.  The Berlin School had been around since the early seventies. It was also a precursor of ambient music, and went on to influence future generations of ambient musicians. Among the founding …

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