Eloy - Inside (1973)

This is the first truly progressive album ELOY recorded. Frank Bornemann certainly wasn't too happy with the political direction the band was heading on their first album. Of course original member Erich Schriever was mostly responsible for that, but of course, Frank Bornemann didn't think music and politics should mix. So Schriever was given the boot, and original drummer Helmuth Draht left too. So Fritz Randow came in for drums, Manfred Wieczorke switched to organ and Frank Bornemann now started to sing as well as play guitar. Bassist Wolfgang Stöcker lasted long enough to appear on this album.

So of course, all the left-wing political statements are now gone, in place of sci-fi oriented lyrics, with a spacier sound, more in the PINK FLOYD realm. The album consists of four extended cuts, beginning with the side-length "Land of No Body". Lots of PINK FLOYD references here, but parts of it also remind me of CAMEL. I just love that experimental spacy organ in the middle, it really trips me out. "Future City" sounds a whole lot like JETHRO TULL, but without the flute. Apparently certain FM stations in America were flattered by that, and so they played it ( Inside did receive an American release, on the Janus label - the German version was on Harvest, which is their first album for the label), of course, if "Future City" was ever played on American radio, it was on "progressive free form" FM stations (the FM format that existed before the rise of AOR in the mid 1970s). The album closes with the mellow "Up and Down". It wasn't sung by Frank Bornemann, but by Manfred Wieczorke, which comes to prove that he shouldn't sing (and he never did afterwards). Plus there's some narration that sounds like a German Bob DYLAN. And while the vocals are the weak part of the song, the spacy organ and atmosphere more than makes up for it. Great stuff, especially if you like that underground early '70s guitar/organ-driven prog.Revew from progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing
1. Land Of No body (17:14)
2. Inside (6:35)
3. Future City (5:35)
4. Up And Down (8:23)

Remaster edition bonus tracks:
5. Daybreak (3:39)
6. On the road (2:30)

Total Time: 43:07

Line-up / Musicians
- Frank Bornemann / guitar, vocals, percussion
- Fritz Randow / drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, flute
- Wolfgang Stöcker / bass
- Manfred Wieczorke / organ, guitar, percussion, vocals

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Os Mundi - Latin Mass (1970)

First rate early eclectic German prog rock / krautrock band from Germany who's debut album is really excellent but was improved upon by there second release "43 Minuten".

Psychedelic moments one minute with rockier sections the next. One can hear some elements from "Tangerine Dreams" "Electronic Meditation" album, and there's more than a nod to some "Amon Duul II". I'm also reminded of some "Out Of Focus" with the lead guitar.

This is quite a heady mixture from an early Krautrock band. Well worth the listen.


OS MUNDI music, discography, MP3, videos and reviews

OS MUNDI Latin Mass music reviews and MP3

Os Mundi - 06 - Sanctus

Os Mundi - 07 - Agnus Dei

2066 & Then - Reflections Of The Future (1972)

One of the all time German Progressive Rock classics which veers more towards rock in places but is nonetheless outstanding.

With thick wedges of organ and guitar riffs/ solos you could be reminded of "Deep Purple" or "Vanilla fudge" and as good as if not better. Just listen to "Butterking" for instance which is an extraordinary track encompassing psychedelic , folk and progressive rock all rolled into one.

No bad song on here by the way and the vocals are excellent. This is a true classic. Incidentaly "Curt Cress" appears as guest - the drummer from "Passport"

Disclaimer: First of all- If you haven't already, then you NEED TO HEAR THIS ALBUM ON VINYL. It is the best way to hear this type of music. CD's (and YouTube, especially) do not do it proper justice. Music-Lovers: There is no excuse, not even the moderately higher price, to justify not listening to this music the way it sounds best. An inexpensive turntable and reissue will blow you away. Trust me.

Moving forward...Why doesn't this album have more reviews? More importantly; why is this album so "underground", when radio BS gets incessantly crammed down every hole in our body? Are most people really that shallow and fickle? Anyway, on to the album review....

Out of the hundreds of albums that I own, and regularly listen to, this is the first album I chose to review here. Maybe that says something, in itself..I own an original, mint-UA pressing (autographed by Konstatin Bommarius), and several vinyl reissues of this great album.

This album is a technical masterpiece of music. All of the songs are fast-paced and pretty heavy. Normally that's not what I'm all into, but I cannot deny the excellence of the music on this album. There really is no point to describing each song, individually, as they all sound very similar. That is, perfect. Without any harsh, or dull moments. Please know that when it comes to music, I am a very patient, and fastidious individual, who will not "hype" or overate the music I love. From one music critic, to another, do not pass this one up.

Geff Harrison has a wonderful (slightly raspy) voice, that fits this album, in every way. His voice, along with the rhythm, ebbs and flows in an almost haunting way. Next, it pains me to say this name in the same review with this album, but-Eddie Van Halen, would be put to shame by the guitar work of Gagey Mrozeck. And...did someone say Neil Peart can play drums? Hah! Mere child's play compared to Konstatin Bommarius' flawless drumming. The bass of Dieter Bauer is also exemplary. If all that's not enough for you, Steve Robinson and Veit Marvos are equally as proficient on the ivory. The whole damn album is practically a keyboard/guitar dualing solo, and once you think the heaviness of the vocals, drums, organ, bass, and guitar is about to be overwhelming, and about to make you explode with adrenaline-you get a soft, psych, break, before the finale.



Cutting to the chase: This is a dark, deep, heavy, progressive, and psychedelic album, all in one. Don't let that scare you. I haven't any doubts, that anyone who cares about music, in general; will have one of the following reactions; Really like/Probably love, and/or certainly appreciate this album. Without a shred of hesitation-this is one of the best albums ever made. This cannot be overstated. 2066 & Then-Reflections on the Future is flawless, and timeless music. 5 Stars!! Review from Progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. At my Home (5:12)

2. Autumn (9:24)

3. Butterking (7:24)

4. Reflections on the Future (16:17)

5. How do you feel (3:26)

Total Time: 41:43

Line-up / Musicians

- Geff Harrison (England)/ lead vocals / lyrics

- Gagey Mrozeck / guitars

- Veit Marvos / keyboards

- Dieter Bauer / bass

- Steve Robinson / keyboards

- Konstatin Bommarius / drums

Guests:

- Wolfgang Schönbrot / flute

- Curt Cress / drums

2066 & Then - 03 - Butterking

Electric Sandwich - Electric Sandwich (1972)

Yet again another classic one off Krautrock gem which will keep you coming back for repeated listens with it's superb mixture of psychedelic and bluesy tripped out krautyness. The parts with the saxophone as
on "Devils Canyon" remind me of fellow German band "Out Of Focus".

Excellent indeed especialy if you like bands such as "May Blitz"


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Songs / Tracks Listing

1. China (8:07)
2. Devil's Dream (6:20)
3. Nervous Creek (5:07)
4. It's No Use to Run (4:03)
5. I Want You (5:27)
6. Archie's Blues (4:55)
7. Material Darkness (5:04)
8. On My Mind (3:24)

bonus track on CD release:
9. China (single edit) (3:05)
Line-up / Musicians

Jörg Ohlert / guitar, organ, keyboards
Klaus Lormann / bass
Jochen Carthaus / sax, Harmonica
Wolf Fabian / drum

Electric Sandwich - 02 - Devil's Dream

Electric Sandwich - 07 - Material Darkness

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Werwolf - Creation (1984)

Another one of those obscure German collectors items " Werwolfs" sole album "Creation" was a nice symphonic progressive krautrock mixture where one can hear elements of other more famous bands.

Take the opener for instance "flying high" which comes across as a blend of "Eloy" and"Jane". This is the odd track out though really. Elsewhere there's some nice female vocals (sung in english) which imparts a little "Renaissance" flavor and lots of intricate synth/guitar lines.

The folky elements and melodic symphonic rock are very well balanced overall with just the right amount of complexities which makes this album a success.

Track/Listing
1 Flying high
2 The Journey to the LandOf the Flying Pigs
3 Way To Paradise
4 Daydream
5 The Game Is Over
6 The Eighth Day

Dzyan - Time Machine (1973)

Although "Eectric silence" is usually considered "Dzyans" progressive krautrock masterpiece, i have to disagree personally. Of there 3 albums i rank "Time Machine" as there best. This to me sounds the most professional and is riveting stuff right from the start as we dive into the delights of the lengthy first track "Kabisrain". No real melodies or structure as such here, and definitely an indian / eastern influence pervades. One could say this track is quite dissonant and atonal , yet it flows superbly with it's strange melange of keyboards, guitars and drums / percussives.

"Majika" is different and more in the jazz/rock "Mahavishnu Orchestra" style, but more avant with fiery guitar and lots of complexitires. I'm also reminded of some "Terje Rypdal" in places and to a lesser extent some " King Crimson".

"Light shining out of darkness" is much lighter in mood with lots of acoustic guitar and once again recalls "Mahavishnu Orchestra"

"Time Machine" is the real tour deforce of this album. Beginning with lightning speed guitar and pyrotechnics galore we then shift moods into a more melancholic section and back again. Superb guitarwork throughout this piece with drums and bass battling it out is quite spectacular. If you love "Mahavishnu Orchestra" or "Terje Rypdals" "Odyssey" album then your in for a treat here! 17 minutes of it!!
A classic album!
Time Machine

Studio Album, released in 1973

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Kabisrain (7:59)
2. Magika (8:45)
3. Light shining out of darkness (3:13)
4. Time machine (17:47)

Total Time: 37:44
Line-up / Musicians

- Peter Giger / drums, percussion
- Reinhard Karwatky / bass, keyboards
- Eddy Marron / guitar, sitar, saxophone

Dzyan - 04 - Khali from "Electric Silence"

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Pancake - No Illusions ( 1979 )

Pancakes third and last album is a scorcher.

More rock based than previous albums but with a more polished and refined sound with touches of "Eloy" , "Jane" and even "Babe Ruth" maybe . Like "Babe Ruth " "Pancake's " "No Illusions" also has female vocals - albeit German accented by one "Biggi Zmierczak"

This is probably my favourite Pancake album which alternates between heavyish melodic / symphonic guitar based passages to lighter moments and many shifts in mood but still firmly rock based , but certainly not your average straight ahead rock. much more progressive / krautrock in that department. Excellent and quite unique sounding really, despite the obvious ELOY comparison and i find the female vocals very nice indeed!

Check out " I Try" ," Autumn Leaves" and the brilliant outro of " Dream Delta Land " for the "Eloy" sound taken to another level.

Once again a completely different line up here with only the original guitarist, who really excels himself on this one!

A fantastic obscurity from a sadly neglected band, of which all albums are really worthy of a listen for anyone into Krautrock / Progressive Rock music. A great pity they only released three albums , which leaves one wondering what delights may have followed !  


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Line Up / Musicians

Biggy Zmierczac - Vocals
Ralf Schibe - Bass 7 Vocals
Uli Franke - Keyboards & Vocals
Walter Negele - Guitar & Vocals
Hans Derer - Drums & Vocals

Track Listing
1 - Just Miss your Smile
2 - Fire And Rain song
3 - Dream Delta Land ( Prt 1 & 2 )
4 - No Touch Of Ilusions
5 - Autumn Leaves
6 - I Try

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Pancake- Out Of the Ashes

Different to there first album " Out Of the Ashes " is lesser psychedelic/krautrock styled with more of a "Pink Floyd" and dreamy "Pulsar" "Jane" "Novalis" type sound. Indeed, this is all so much more symphonic/progressive than the previous "Roxy Elephant".

Emphasis is more on vocals, keys and guitar, of which guitarist " Walter Negele" is the only original member here..

Favourite track is "Arctic Ocean" which has excellent melodic high fyling guitar from "Negele".This sounds very close to " Pulsar " to me in many respects. Superb stuff! Just to stir things up there's also a nice funky psychedelic number "Cakey Funk"

All in all another great album from Pancake.


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Track Listing:

Painted Rush Hour
Arctic Ocean- a. Fool's Nightmare- b. Back In The Reality
Cakey Funk
Rainbow - Suite- a. Introduction: Colors In The Rain- b. Winds of Thor (including the Appearnce Of Aeolos)- c. The New Day- d. Gone With the Wind
Out Of The Ashes

Line Up
Heinz BertschSynthesizer, Keyboards
Hans DererPercussion, Drums
Peter IndrakBass, Violin
Walter NegeleGuitar
Rainer RohmPercussion, Vocals

Lucifers Friend - Beggars Banquet ( 1974 )

Probably "Lucifers Friend"

best album, which is not really Krautrock, but far more 70's british prog rock sounding. In fact you'll find some "Beggars Opera" similarity, especially on the lengthy opener "Spanish Galleon" which is a fantastic mix of styles. One minute jazzy, then prog rock and amazingly almost breaking out into Santana .......... " Oye Como Va " no less!

Every track is great here except one "High Flying Lady-Goodbye", which is really a straight throw away rock number, when compared to the rest of the tracks.

The addition of brass / string and woodwinds really adds a lot of colour. This is true progressive rock at its best with lots of complex but flowing arrangements and the vocals are excellent.

A great prog rock album then, especially if you like " Beggars Opera " " Blood Sweat & Tears" early "Chicago" and " Santana "

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Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Spanish Galleon (11:50)
2. Thus Spoke Oberon (6:44)
3. High Flying Lady-Goodbye (3:40)
4. Sorrow (11:36)
5. Dirty Old Town (4:46)

Total Time: 38:36

Line-up / Musicians - John Lawton / vocal
- Peter Hecht / piano, organ, mood, synthesizer, Fender Rhodes
- Dieter Horns / bass, backing vocals
- Peter Hesslein / guitar, 12 string guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals
- Herbert Bornhold / drums, percussion, backing vocals
Guest musician:
- Herb Geller / Soprano saxophone solo on (1) and flute on (4)

Lucifer's Friend - Spanish Galleon