FANTASTIC PARTY

Well, this is one of the most obscure releases I know from the German music history in general. The front cover of the original Maritim vinyl release shows some young (futuristically) fashioned people, and promises the ultimate dance album provided for some hot hours. Okay, I was 14 at that time, this might have been an interesting item for my parents though. But hey, they would have been appalled for sure after buying this by accident. While, for example, expecting a common song collection interpreted by the James Last Orchestra or similar. The credits for all tracks are going to somebody named Paul Bucher, and, to make the mystery perfect, using the alias Carpenborg on top of it. But who is really responsible for that?

Unfortunately, concerning this issue, there is nothing substantial given. A lot of rumours are circulating moreover. Consequently it's nearly impossible to keep my nose out, not to speculate, when listening to this. No chance. Is this a remnant or follow-up of the film music recordings for the German sci-fi series Raumpatrouille Orion? Otherwise, for example I possibly could give Achim Reichel and some like-minded friends credit for that, this prior to the A. R. & Machines phase. Or maybe it happened in the following way. Studio musicians sometimes feel limited, uninspired, when playing pre-confirmed stuff over and over again. Just imagine some jazz orchestra members experimenting during a period of time, challenged by upcoming krautrock bands like Can, Organisation, Amon Düül 2 ...

... this probably within several breaks between recording sessions, the brass division having breakfast, dinner or finishing time. Presumably at least they themselves had a fantastic party on every occasion. Whatever, for me this does not appear solely intuitively played, moreover organized due to some pre-conditions. Prepared by the aforementioned so-called Paul Bucher, or Staff Carpenborg if you will. Prolific jazz educated musicians are at work here it seems, just breaking all chains. The result sounds like proto kraut somehow. Not simple or aimless noodling at all, but it's weird, still today. A mystical virtuoso affair by all means. Besides some quirky vocals the involved instruments are bass, contrabass, organ, guitar, drums, percussion, flute and tambourine, what I can hear.

So at first, obviously a mock fight, they are leading the listener on a wrong track with the famous riff taken from Beethoven's 5th symphony. What follows is completely different anyhow, and not easy to describe. A monotonic, tambourine caused beat is backing lively organ and guitar, this decorated with some effects. Initiated by percussion generated machine gun fire The Every Days Way Down To The Suburbs now shows bass and drums in a very cheerful mood, a male singer is somewhat improvising in a whacked out manner moreover. Wow! Let The Thing Comin' Up soley could be played in this way due to some mind-expanding substances, I'm sure. And we're not missing a (proper?) blues song too regarding this P.A.R.T.Y.

Shummy Poor Clessford Idea In Troody Taprest Noodles by the way is part of the famous unofficial Blumenkraft compilation 'Kraut! Demons! Kraut!' Overall this is definitely a more krautish curiosity than 'The Vampires Of Dartmore', priorly produced by Schlager and jazz music composer Horst Ackermann and Heribert Thusek. I will repeat myself now, prolific musicians are involved. What an unique attitude! I have been listening to this over and over again, completely puzzled to this day! You may find the rare vinyl gem somewhere, but it doesn't come cheaply. The CD reissue is still available too, alternatively the songs are part of a compilation issued on Gear Fab Records.