DELUXE

A some sort of a classic pre-Ambient album from the 70's German electronic scene, featuring the (yet to be-) CLUSTER duo Roedelius & Moebius, who later caught Brian ENO's interest and worked with him. There must have been influence going both ways between them; one can hear some ENO-ish atmosphere even in the intendedly monotonous vocals on two tracks. Harmonia's third member was multi-instrumentalist Michael Rother, and for this album they invited GURU GURU drummer Mani Neumeier.

The nature of this music is floating, atmospheric, poppy, naiive, sunny and hilarious. Listened today, it sounds rather dated and somehow toyish, or "cheap", in synths. I guess that those who listened to it - or the music of this scene in general - already three decades ago, will enjoy this with warm nostalgia. But for newcomers I don't think it makes a big impression. Maybe the best tracks are in the end, the ones with shorter length. 'Kekse' (does it mean Biscuits perhaps?) ends nicely with sounds from a duck pond and a charming piano melody.

For the connoisseurs this album probably has a notable value, but two stars will be enough from me.