| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Grobschnitt | Drummer's Dream | Ballerman | 1974 | Metronome/Brain |
|
Gronschnitt's second album is a double album, one of which comprises the
two part "Solar-Music". The music is a combination of symphonic and
space-rock ideals. Space-rock jams in a Gong/Hawkwind/Ash Ra Tempel/Pink
Floyd mold, mixed with a little Yes influence. This album is probably
the best place to start checking out Grobschnitt.
Grobschnitt | |||||
| 2 | Popul Vuh | Selig sind, die da hungern... | Seligpreisung | 1974 | Zyx |
|
Popol Vuh is basically Florian Fricke, although Daniel Fichelscher is also
on a large portion of the PV catalog. Daniel was previously a member of a
Amon Duul II, primarily as a percussionist. On this album he plays percussion
as well as guitar. On subsequent albums, he becomes the sole guitarist, but
on this album he is joined by Conny Veit of Gila on guitars. It should also
be noted that the second Gila album _Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee_ is
basically the same line-up as this Popol Vuh album with Conny, Florian,
and Daniel. Seligpreisung is a very nice album of floating guitars,
ethereal vocals, and romantic piano. Although it is not one of their
top albums, it is a very worthy recording.
Popol Vuh | |||||
| 3 | Release Music Orchestra | Morgen Gabe | Life | 1974 | Germanofon (boot) |
| Release Music Orchestra is the same band as Tomorrow's Gift with the addition of clarinetist Norbet Jacobsen. This, their first album, is a live recording of jazz-influenced progressive rock. Comparable items are Tomorrow's Gift, Eiliff, and Soft Machine. Recommended if you like the jazzier side of krautrock. | |||||
| 4 | Cosmic Jokers | Kinder des Alls (excerpt) | Galactic Supermarket | 1974 | Spalax |
|
The Cosmic Jokers is a super-session, of sorts, including guitarist Manuel
Gottsching of Ash Ra Tempel, keyboardist Jurgen Dollase and drummer Harald
Grosskopf of Wallenstein, Dieter Dierks on bass, and Klaus Schulze on
electronics. These recordings, along with the material on the self-titled
Cosmic Jokers album & _Planeten Sit-In_, were all done during a 4 month
studio session. They were not intended for release by the musicians, but
shortly after the recordings, they were released as The Cosmic Jokers
without their knowledge or permission. Nonetheless, it is some great
cosmic music that is perhaps the epitomy of Krautrock. The first couple
of Ash Ra Tempel albums mixed with Tangerine Dream & Wallenstein is
probably the best comparison.
Manuel Göttsching - Ashra Klaus Schulze Official Website | |||||
| 5 | Uli Trepte | United Dish | Guru Guru + Uli Trepte - Live & Unreleased | 1974 | Spalax |
|
After leaving Guru Guru, Uli Trepte had some short stints with other German
musicians and bands, but, never really settling down into a regular gig
for very long. In 1974, he recorded a fine 1/2 albums worth of material
which was released as _Hot On Spot / In Between_ in 1986. The "Hot on Spot"
side is one long track by Guru Guru, with Uli. The CD re-issue includes
an additional 20 minute song Guru Guru live track. The Uli Trepte studio
material is very good featuring Christian Burchard and Roman Bunka of
Embryo. The Guru Guru material is prime stuff recorded at their peak.
Guru Guru - the Official Site | |||||
| 6 | Eberhard Weber | The Colours of Chloe | The Colours of Chloe | 1974 | ECM Records |
|
Eberhard Weber is a bassist/cellist extraordinaire. His discography of
collaborations would take up several pages. But, he is not simply a
studio musician that performs basic musical functions in a hired hand
situation. Every piece of music that I have ever heard him participate on,
has his un-mistakable unique style evident. While listening to this
album, I was reminded mostly of Pat Metheny's late 70's albums, especially
the self-titled _Pat Metheny Group_. In fact, the year before that album
was recorded, Eberhard Weber collaborated with Pat Metheny on the album
Watercolors. Eberhard undoubtedly had a large influence on the direction
that Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays followed for several years afterwards.
_Colours of Chloe_ also features keyboardist Rainer Bruninghaus of Eiliff
and percussionist Peter Giger of Dzyan. This album is very highly for
those who like the ECM jazz sound of the 70's. And if you don't know
what that is, then this is a great place to start.
ECM Records: Eberhard Weber Eberhard Weber Tribute Pages Eberhard Weber Discography | |||||