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Embryo - Steig Aus [also released as: This Is Embryo] CD (album) cover

STEIG AUS [ALSO RELEASED AS: THIS IS EMBRYO]

Embryo

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.89 | 102 ratings

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apps79
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars As already mentioned, during the opening months of 72' Embryo had enough material to release a double album.They refused to do so by releasing ''Father, son and holy ghosts'', but at the second half of the year comes a second set of recordings under the title ''Steig aus''.With United Artists loosing interest in the band, they were picked up by the legendary Brain label.This release features a rather different core compared to ''Father, son and holy ghosts'' with Burchard and Hofmann now perfoming with both Dave King and Jorg Evers on bass, Roman Bunka was the guitarist, Jimmy Jackson played the Mellotron and organ next to American Jazz pianist Mal Waldron (with whom Burchard was jamming already since late-60's and the pre-Embryo days).

The 10-min. opener ''Radio Marrakesh / Orient Express'' is absolutely representative of its title, the Arabic and African echoes during the opening minutes set a mood for another Folk Fusion experience, however the following parts would proove to be much different.This one ended up to be a reckless jamming session by Embryo with schizophenic electric solos, fiery drumming, funky bass lines and some superb Mellotron grooves and organ smashing by Jackson, definitely one of the most dynamic executions ever recorded by the band.The 10-min. ''Dreaming girls'' is more of a Psych Fusion affair with the typical Kraut edges, Waldron now takes its place behind the hypnotic electric piano and Hofmann delivers crying, depressive, slow-motion violin solos over a muddy, narcotic rhythm section.The mood rarely changes from its initial melancholic basis, thus this sounds a bit overstretched and not overly convincing.The flipside is totally captured by the 17-min. ''Call'', which pretty much defines what Kraut/Jazz Rock is all about.From the 60's-sounding opening organs to the blistering rhythms with Hofmann's violin shining through and from the chaotic jamming sessions with the electric piano, Hammond organ and Mellotron all thrown in a long execution of abstract, rhythmic masturbations to the spacey farewell minutes with the light electric guitars and Bunka's saz soloing, this is impressive Jazz Rock with a strong psychedelic flavor and series of instrumental madness.

''Dreaming girls'' is the weak link of this release, the pair of other tracks is absolutely efficient, dominating and angular Kraut Fusion, which belongs among the classics of the genre.If you find ''Dreaming girls'' more interesting compared to my ears, then you should add an extra point and place this one at the top of Embryo's releases.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

apps79 | 3/5 |

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