Category Archives: Krautrock
IRMIN SCHMIDT-ELECTRO VIOLET BOX SET.
IRMIN SCHMIDT-ELECTRO VIOLET BOX SET. After eleven years and eleven studio albums, Can called time on their career in 1979. By then, Can were rightly regarded as one of the most innovative bands of the Krautrock era. They had enjoyed an almost unrivalled longevity. Can were formed in 1968, by Holger Czukay and Irmin Schmidt. …
ERLAND DAHLEN-BLOSSOM BELLS.
ERLAND DAHLEN-BLOSSOM BELLS. Back in 2012, drummer and percussionist Erland Dahlen released his long-awaited, and much-anticipated debut album Rolling Bomber. By then, the forty-one year old was a veteran of the vibrant Nordic music scene. When Rolling Bomber was released, Erland Dahlen was a veteran of countless bands, including HET, Boschamaz, Kiruna, Morris, Piston Ltd, …
FLORIAN FRICKE/POPOL VUH-KAILASH VINYL EDITION.
FLORIAN FRICKE/POPOL VUH-KAILASH VINYL EDITION. In music, the most overused word is legend. It’s a word thrown around like confetti at a Las Vegas wedding. Nowadays, every two-bit hip hopper, EDM star or Nu Soul singer is being referred to as a legend. That’s far removed from the truth. However, it’s nothing new. The overuse …
HARMONIA COMPLETE WORKS.
HARMONIA COMPLETE WORKS. All too often, groundbreaking music is overlooked upon its release. It’s only much later, that the music’s importance and innovation is recognised. Musical history is littered with examples. This includes Harmonia, Germany’s first supergroup. Harmonia featured members members of Neu! and Cluster. They decided to form a new group, and went on …
INTERVIEW WITH HANS-JOACHIM ROEDELIUS-A LIFE MAKING MUSIC.
INTERVIEW WITH HANS-JOACHIM ROEDELIUS- A LIFE MAKING MUSIC. The words pioneer and innovator are often overused. However, it is a fitting description of Hans-Joachim Roedelius. He is, without doubt, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of the past fifty years. His music has influenced several generation of musicians. And Hans-Joachim Roedelius has released more …
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ROTHER-50 YEARS MAKING MUSIC.
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ROTHER-50 YEARS MAKING MUSIC. During the early seventies, the German music scene was thriving. It was one of the most vibrant in Europe. Some of the most influential and innovative music was being released by German bands. This included the holy trinity of Can, Kraftwerk and Neu!. Along with Amon Düül II, …
FLORIAN FRICKE/POPOL VUH-KAILASH.
FLORIAN FRICKE/POPOL VUH-KAILASH. In music, the most overused word is legend. It’s a word thrown around like confetti at a Las Vegas wedding. Nowadays, every two-bit hip hopper, EDM star or Nu Soul singer is being referred to as a legend. That’s far removed from the truth. However, it’s nothing new. The overuse of the …
TANGERINE DREAM-RUBYCON.
TANGERINE DREAM-RUBYCON. Tangerine Dream are, without doubt, the original musical chameleons. Since forming in 1967, Tangerine Dream’s music has been constantly evolving. As a result, they can never be accused of standing still. Far from it. During the last six decades, Tangerine Dream have flitted between musical genres as they recorded over 125 studio albums. …
CAN-FUTURE DAYS.
CAN-FUTURE DAYS. Last year, I was fortunate enough to interview a true musical legend, Holger Czukay. He was part of Can, who were undoubtably, one of the most ambitious and innovative groups in the history of music. Their music was constantly groundbreaking. So much so, that it was always way ahead of the musical curve. …
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 1.
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 1. RODRIGO AMARANTE-CAVALO. Previously, Rodrigo Amarante was part of one of the most successful Brazilian bands of all time, Los Hermanos. However, this year, he embarked upon his solo career. His debut solo album Cavalo, was released in May 2014, on Mais Um Discos. Cavalo shows a new …
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 5.
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 5. SUPERSILENT-12. Four long years have passed, since Supersilent released their eighth album 11 on Rune Grammofon. Since 2010, Supersilent’s fans have eagerly awaited the next chapter in the Supersilent story. At last, the wait is over. Supersilent recently released their ninth album 12, on Rune Grammofon. 12 …
THE FIFTY BEST REISSUES OF 2014-PART 2.
THE FIFTY BEST REISSUES OF 2014-PART 2 CRYSTAL WINGS-FIRST FLIGHT. The story behind Crystal Wings began in 1981. That’s when Crystal Wings released their debut single, Signs Of Winter’s Time. This was a Paul Coleman and Joyce Alicia Lagrone composition. It was recorded at Chicago’s Streeterville Recording Studio. Producing Signs Of Winter’s Time was Paul …
THE FIFTY BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2014-PART 2.
THE FIFTY BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2014-PART 2. DISCO: A FINE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT DISCO, MODERN SOUL AND BOOGIE 1978-82. After the death of disco in 1979, boogie and Modern Soul provided the soundtrack to dance-floors. This includes the music on Soul Jazz Records’ compilation Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie …
RODION G.A.-BEHIND THE CURTAIN-THE LOST ALBUM.
RODION G.A.-BEHIND THE CURTAIN-THE LOST ALBUM. Earlier this year, I embarked upon a musical adventure. It all started just over a year ago, when I received an email. It was from Rodion Ladislau Rosca, who back in the seventies, formed Rodion G.A. Rodion had been surfing the net, and discovered my review of the …
ELECTRI CITY-ELEKTRONISCHE MUSIK AUS DUSSELDORF.
ELECTRI CITY-ELEKTRONISCHE MUSIK AUS DUSSELDORF. Some cities are synonymous with a musical genre. Mention Memphis, and it’s remembered as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll and later, Southern Soul. Philadelphia is famous for Philly Soul and disco. Chicago is synonymous with blues and house music. New Orleans gave us Dixieland and R&B, Seattle grunge, Plainfield …
CAN-SOON OVER BABALUMA.
CAN-SOON OVER BABALUMA. Forty years ago, in November 1974, Can released the sixth album of their career, Soon Over Babaluma. This marked the end of an era for Can. Soon Over Babaluma was the end of Can’s golden period. This golden period began with their debut album, 1969s Monster Movie and 1974s Soon Over Babaluma …
GULP-SEASON SUN.
GULP-SEASON SUN. It’s just over two years ago that Gulp released their debut single, Game Love. It was released to critical acclaim, and resulted in Gulp supporting Django Django on a tour of the UK and Ireland. This wasn’t end of the link with Django Django. No. Gulp were asked to contribute a track to …
INTERVIEW WITH HOLGER CZUKAY OF CAN.
INTERVIEW WITH HOLGER CZUKAY OF CAN. It’s not every day I get the opportunity to interview one of my musical heroes. Today I did. I was fortunate enough to spend forty minutes interviewing the legendary Holger Czukay, who cofounded Can in 1968. We spent forty minutes discussing all things Can, Holger’s solo career and even, …
THE WAR ON DRUGS-LOST IN THE DREAM.
THE WAR ON DRUGS-LOST IN THE DREAM. Philadelphia. Musically what does Philly mean to you? For many people, it’s Philly Soul. Back in the seventies, jump-suited groups like The O’Jays, The Detroit Spinners and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes flew the flag for Philly. However, there’ more to Philly than Philly Soul. Much more. …