ELECTRONIC MEDITATION

The title of this album is so ironic. This isn't the meditative Electronic music that TANGERINE DREAM would be come famous for, this is dark, spacey, experimental and at times it sounds like rock music from hell. This is such an influential record that really belongs in the Krautrock genre. It was recorded in 1969 in an old factory in Berlin, once you hear the music this fact will make all the sense in the world. Bleak, sparse, industrial, cold and at times metallic. Before the album was even released Schulze left to work with ASH RA TEMPEL and eventually began his long solo career. Schnitzler plays cello and would go back to KLUSTER. There is also some great flute work from Keyserling, and Jackson (who would later play on EMBRYO's "Steig Aus" and "Rache" albums, as well as on AMON DUUL II's "Wolf City" and "Tanz Der Lemminge") offers up some amazing organ passages. The surprise is Froese's guitar playing and Schulze's drum work. These guys let it all hang out at times.The theme of the album is birth followed by death and then rebirth. No lyrics.

"Genesis" opens with electronic sounds that hover and pulse in the darkness. Cello arrives 2 1/2 minutes in as drums, flute and other sounds also join in. Pounding drums 4 minutes in as cello scrapes away. Flute is back. It all sounds great. "Journey Through A Burning Brain" is one crazy song title. Sharp sounds come and go along with other experimental sounds. Flute a minute in as it settles down. The organ before 2 minutes sounds awesome. The organ becomes more powerful 4 1/2 minutes in, it's quite moving actually. After 5 minutes the guitar and drums start to rise up and build. Froese is wailing away as Schulze pounds away relentlessly. Incredible ! These two electronic pioneers are rocking out with reckless abandonment. My God check it out after 10 minutes ! The chaos ends after 11 minutes as organ and flute bring calm.

"Cold Smoke" opens with spacey sounds that are broken by sudden and random outbursts of sounds. Heavy drums after 3 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up 6 1/2 minutes as guitar starts to solo. Great sound after 10 minutes. The song stops suddenly and all you can hear is some guy breathing heavily to end it. "Ashes To Ashes" has a good rhythm to it as Froese solos over top. The experimental sounds continue. "Resurrection" opens with heavy organ as spoken words come in. It changes to a haunting mood 1 1/2 minutes in. Very spacey as the album ends just like it began.

A must have for all you Krautrock fans out there. And thankyou once again Tom Ozric for the recommendation.