RABENTEUER

4.5 stars. I seem to be in the minority with my great appreciation of this Jazz/ Rock album from Germany's own MORPHEUS. Mind you it took several spins and a closer listen from yours truly to finally unlock it's treasures. Released in 1976 this all-instrumental album is a jammy affair with sax and guitar usually leading the way but man that bass player kills on here. He's so upfront and you know I thought of KRAAN fairly early on as I listened to this and he certainly brought to mind the great KRAAN bass player Hellmut Hattler. Interesting as well that the flute which there isn't a lot of isn't played by the sax player but by the bassist.

"Rabenteuer" apparently in German combines the words "raven" and "adventure" and we see the raven on the album cover with other things that I'm sure have something to do with the song titles. Man this sounds pretty amazing to start the way they seem to tease us with that oh so moving melody that comes and goes. It settles in around a minute with the sax playing over top. The guitar takes the lead a minute later followed by a calm before 4 minutes as the bass and picked guitar take over with drums as it builds. So good! The sax is back quickly though and KRAAN comes to mind here. Some nice bass as well again reminding me of KRAAN. The sax and guitar take turns the rest of the way.

"Brandung" has simply a breath-taking intro with that bass, guitar and drums before it kicks in to a faster pace with sax joining in. Back to that more atmospheric sound from the intro but with melancholic sax this time. Themes are repeated and check out the bass solo late as it speeds up. Great track! "Breitmaulfrosch" allows each member to strut their stuff. It's catchy with some tempo and mood shifts and again the bass is prominent, especially after 3 minutes. Love the calm that follows with guitar leading the way as the sax returns as well. "Oktober '74" is a brighter piece but it's also the shortest at around 2 1/2 minutes. Such a feel good tune with the sax leading the way but the bass jumps out at me a minute in as well.

"Tanz Der Morphine" opens with guitar as we get some high hat sounds before everyone joins in. The tempo changes often and I love the sound before 1 1/2 minutes. I'm not big on the short outbursts but they only happen a couple of times. "Abflug" is the over 15 minute closer. This is where they jam and I'm surprised at the lack of sax in this one. Some atmosphere to start as flute and guitar join in. Clashing cymbals follow before it kicks into gear before 3 1/2 minutes with deep bass lines. The guitar returns as the drums continue. Sax after 11 1/2 minutes and it calms down before 14 minutes to the end. My edition has a 20 minute bonus track called simply "Morpheus Jam" which it certainly is but it's more dynamic than the last track and a nice edition to the recording.

For me this is an outstanding release and one I'm thankful to own. KRAAN fans should check it out.