SOLO TRIP

Lutz Rahn was the excellent keyboardplayer from known German progressive rock band Novalis. Between 1971 and 1985 he delivered 10 albums with the band. In 1978 Lutz Rahn made a solo effort entitled Solo Trip. Don't expect music in the vein of Novalis, Lutz Rhan must have been inspired by JM Jarre his pivotal progressive electronic pop music in those days: lost of pleasant mid-tempo songs featuring mellow synthesizer flights, bleeps and beeps and a tight beat by the drum machine and guest drummer Helge Tillman. Some songs sound more original like Galaxy Taxi (build upon a slow rhythm and omnipresent flute- Mellotron), September (a bit melancholical atmosphere with varied kebyoards like wonderful choir-Mellotron), Drakula`s Kuss (swinging Fender Rhodes piano solo, pleasant synthesizer runs and wonderful choir-Mellotron waves) and the final track Ausklang (dreamy with beautiful Grand piano arpeggios and slow synthesizer fights). This LP often borders pop and electronic, if you like that kind of music this is a fine album. My rating: 2,5 stars.

Keyboard player Lutz Rahn of Novalis fame put out this very short album of progressive electronic during 1978, in the middle of the 'mother' band's Brandung & Veilliecht bist du ein Clown ? releases. The songs here are quite good, the moods can be quite dark and mysterious, and fully armed with most of the classic analogue gear we prog-heads adore so much. The downside to this album is the cold sounding 'diverse rhythmusmachinen' which sound like the cocktail rhythms on Uncle Arthur's Yamaha organ, and that slightly cheapens the music (and dates it, too) but the actual keyboarding is superb, oozing with Moog synth, Hammond, Mellotron, Rhodes and so on. Not a bad album by any means, but there are more important albums out there to discover before this one.

One of the better and most inventive keyboard players Germany ever had in progressive rock realm past and present is for sure the talented Lutz Rahn - known from legendary symphonic prog act Novalis.

He joining Novalis since the begginig of their career in 1971 and stay with them in thier most glorious period 1973-1979, offering his contribution with some magnific keyboards arrangements over the years.

After Novalis released Brandung in late 1977, Lutz Rahn decided to go solo, but remaining with the band, and in 1978 he released the evocative title Solo trip issued in 1978.

Well, his aproach here is diffrent then on Novalis albums, the pieces, first of all are less symphonic and lenghty then on his mother band and second, the music is more towards electronic prog with some lets say pop elements thrown in, but overall the album is quite pleasent prog symphonic electronic album with nice synthesizers and mellotron flights on all pieces .

His manner of composing and interpretation is similar in places with Peter Bardens from Camel fame, Jurgen Fritz from Triumvirat, and Jean Michel Jarre amomg others.

Solo trip desearves attention for sure, from my side 3.5 stars, nothing is groundbreaking, but in same time all is pleasent and enjoyble from start to finish. There is some funny intresting story behind the cover art of the album mentioned by Lutz himself, writings can be found in the re issue of the album on CD by MIG label in 2012.