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Guru Guru - Hey Du CD (album) cover

HEY DU

Guru Guru

Krautrock


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3 stars Do not expect the psychedelic Guru Guru of the early 1970's from this one. Even Mani Nuemeier was flowing with the times as they were musically at the end of 70's.The title track ( Hey You ) is sung in German and resembles more than anything, Guru Guru`s attempt at a pop song, but a good pop song with humourous tinges. Other tracks are in the jazz rock vein, the stylings that were favoured by Guru Guru towards the late seventies. However, There is a suprise at the end of the album in the form of the extended Atomolch which explores the bizarre and freaked out immagination of Mani Nuemier. A worthwhile purchase for hardcore fans who have been following the band through it`s carreer of changing musical ideas.
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Posted Thursday, June 23, 2005 | Review Permalink
Tom Ozric
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars The album 'Heydu !' is Guru Guru's last offering from the fantastic 70's decade. This time around we have a diverse mix of styles from Jazz-Rock to straight ahead Rock/Pop and even some honest attempts at keeping the 'Krautrock' torch aflame. Even if the album plays through a little uneven, it tends to draw the listener in with its fascinating array of ideas. Starting off with an Ingo Bischof song (Ingo, splitting Keyboard duties and Composition between KRAAN and Guru Guru) 'Starway', almost suggests the band have taken on a distinctively late-70's Disco direction, but beneath the surface, a very cosmic vibe can be felt. A very clear and faithful production to the track is immediately discernable, giving the impression of a band keeping up with the times. This opening track is quite deceiving, granted that it's more a tightly performed 'song' rather than a complex instrumental statement. 'Dos War I' cranks up the 'funky' element a bit, and features guest Hellmut Hattler on Bass, going under the pseudonym of 'Karla Maria Von Sinnen'. This tune is very much in line with the style of music Kraan were offering, and features a fine Guitar solo from Roland Schaeffer (previously Sax player of Kraut-Jazz/Canterbury band 'BRAINSTORM'). 'Was Fur 'Ne Welt' carries on with the funky baton, but extends it into a lovely, jazzy jam with interesting melodies and great interplay between the Sax and Electric Piano. First side finishes up with the exotic sounding 'Giri Fushi', an engaging piece relying heavily on percussion. It also incorporates tropical bird sounds/jungle noises and some ethereal Guitaring - here's a thought ; this tune sounds like a Kraut version of Osibisa !! The 2nd side kicks off with the title song 'Heydu !' - a commercial sounding, German Pop-song with up-lifting melodies and a positive aura. The song also displays a degree of humour. 'Taoma' is a lengthy instrumental with a laid-back Jazz-Rock styling, reminding me of the later Ashra grooves (circa 'Correlations') and shows-off some blissful Soprano Sax playing and tasteful E-Piano and Mini-Moog solos from Bischof, which wouldn't be out-of-place on a Return To Forever album. The final 'monster' track 'Atommolch', is a trippy, spaced-out extravaganza - a faithful Krautrock creation with a strobe-like rhythm, distorted, slowed-down vocals (which may tend to give off a rather unsettling effect on the listener, but it's this unpredictability in which its strength lies) quite aerial Guitaring throughout its 9.46 duration, with some heavy double-kick drumming toward the end build-up. It really is a composition that feels out of place, out of time and out of context with most things going on at the time, but remains a very inspired piece of Prog. This is a quality, 4 star album in my mind, do try.
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Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 | Review Permalink
Kazuhiro
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars The secession of Uli Trepte of the Bass player who was taking charge of respect of seriousness as a charm of the music character of initial Guru Guru might surely have given the revolution and the conversion of directionality to the directionality of the band. "Kanguru" that they announced in 1973 will have been time that the band exactly revolutionized in various meanings if it thought oppositely. It might have been a moment when the sensibility of the content and Mani Neumeier of the album appeared gradually.

"Dance of the Flames" might be able to be enumerated as a flow that produces atmosphere that gradually gives a sense of relief and a stateless impression from Heavy Rock as a revolution of the band. And, the approach since "Mani und seine Freunde" announced in 1975 to Jazz Rock might be connected with the content in the following 90's.

Good work of Houschang Nejadepour from Iran that participated in "Dance of the Flames". Or, the existence of Ingo Bischof of the keyboard player who had been participating in "Mani und seine Freunde" might have influenced the directionality of Guru Guru.

Music is expressed in shape to have promoted those routes further in this album. Existence of Ingo Bischof that joins formally as band at that time. And, the member who supports a band at that time. The role of Luciano Hartwig and Butze Fischer might be also large. And, it is detailed of the participation of Helmut Hattler that appoints the false name of the problem of the contract. These might be very interesting as the situation of a band at that time. Music progresses original music that is to which the atmosphere of Jazz Rock is taken when the age is considered. It might be near the mode of expression of the music of Kraan where it goes to a simultaneous period.

The music that they had been doing as a situation of music at that time in the flow at a prosperous period of Punk Rock and New Wave in the age might have had originality. Mani Neumeier makes remarks, "It was difficult time" on the situation of the music at this time. They might have thought that they were going to break down a state of saturation a little and blockaded situation as the humour and the theme hung in the situation. They had appointed the name that was called "Guru Guru Sun Band" in at that time live as a supplementation. Live frequently done might have exactly told zeal to their revolutions at that time and music.

"Starway" is a flow of the sequence with the synthesizer. And, the part of Funk and Pop is expressed by an original interpretation. As for the sound, I feel the age very much. And, it is said that a religious shade of meaning will be put as for lyrics.

As for "Dos War I", Funk Rock that takes the element of the age and the humour is developed. Atmosphere that playing the clavinet by Ingo Bischof is good is produced.

"Was Fur 'Ne Welt" continues complete Groove. And, development to which the part and the Horn section that introduces an original chorus who is are taken might be Funk/Jazz Rock of fine quality. Power of expression and the humour of the song are the music for them.

As for "Giri Fushi", the atmosphere of the Africa music twines round the rhythm that the percussion instrument emphasizes. The development of an original song that is and a bright chorus is impressive. The part of Funk and the construction of the rhythm give a stateless impression.

"Hey Du" is perfect Funk Rock. A bright song gets on the rhythm of Rock. The progress of Chord has both expression of feelings at the same time as catching the age. Busy of the sense of relief and Syncopation that the keyboard is good is complete.

"Taoma" completely continues an anacatesthesia and a transparent feeling. The sound and the melody that flows in the space continue good atmosphere. Part of melody of glossy Sax. The sound of the rhythm and the keyboard that flows gently completely has originality.

Atmosphere that there is a tension in the voice processed by the effect twines round "Atommolch". Sound of guitar that continues anacatesthesia. And, the tension by the keyboard. They progress with heavy atmosphere attended with the rhythm.

"I Am Rolling Through The City" is a sound source by live. Part of introduction of member who gets on atmosphere of Funk. The band completely piles up live. The tune advances with the dash feeling on the way. It is likely to succeed as complete Jazz Rock.

It is possible to catch as an album to establish the age and originality very much as albums of men who boldly accomplished the revolution by the turning point of ten years after it debuts.

Report this review (#272251)
Posted Monday, March 15, 2010 | Review Permalink

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