LET IT OUT

Let It Out is a pleasant easy flowing Kraut album with cool funk grooves and modern synths that sound almost new wave. The vocals add a pleasant kraut-rock vibe to it. The album is never overwhelming but it's a very consistent listen that was years ahead of its time.

Bandits in the Woods is an upbeat art-funk track that sits somewhere between Bowie and Roxy Music but that somehow sounds more 'punk' then those artists. Maybe Talking Heads is an even better reference. Luftpost and Prima Klima are more fusion oriented, the beat remains swinging and funky though. Great tunes. Degado sounds like one of Santana's more pop moments.

Songs like Prima Klima show how Kraan has shifted from Kraut to fusion. The title track isn't the best tune for me, it's probably a bit too poppy for my taste. Die Machine offers a welcome variation with highly psychedelic electronic experimentation. Heimweh takes a turn to innocent soft-porn grooves and also Picnic International remains fairly feathery.

If you like this album but miss some bite, I can sure recommend the earlier Kraan albums or the debut of Altona (the Kraut band) which brings a similar type of swinging jazz-kraut-rock, but with more edge and energy. Let It Out is a simply a pleasant and swinging listen throughout. 3.5 stars