KRAAN

Items ordered by ending time | Showing only 20
Show all KRAAN Kraan items on eBay

Visit eBay search:'prog rock' for items
Sell your KRAAN items on eBay !

Best selling order | Results cached

Visit Amazon tag:'Progressive Rock' for more prog rock

The band are still feeling their way around on their debut disc, but for the most part they came out of the box fully-formed. Two obvious classics here: the sprightly and rhythmically quirky "Sarah's Ritt durch den Schwarzwald" (Sarah's Ride throught the Black Forest)-which does indeed have a galloping, equestrian feel about it-and the funky and intense "Kraan Arabia". Both wound up, understandably, being live favourites. On the other hand, I guess the temptation to fill a side of vinyl with a jam oriented piece proved too great for the band.

I recommend getting KRAAN LIVE before this, but this is by no means a bad album, just a little formative.

Kraan holds a special place in German rock history and they are a tough choice between Jazz-rock and Krautrock, as they might be the perfect link between those distinct styles. When I talk of Krautrock, understand Amon Duul II or Guru Guru (rather than Kraftwerk of Neu!) with a typical raw and rough power that suited those afore-mentioned groups so well but also having a slight cosmic touch when needed and unashamedly-talented grooves. Must guess that Stuttgart-based Kraan might have given a good try at the Amon Duul tribe but in a definitely more percussive, brassier and less psychedelic manner. (OK?)

Only five tracks on this debut album, and four of them leaving plenty of room for great interplay between good musician out to do interesting music for just the sake of.. music! Needless to say that the almost mandatory-of-that-era drum solo also gets its share of minutes, but some great jazzed-up jam-filled tracks that rocks you quite enough to just ask for your next dose more-of-the-same. (you following me so far?)

Kraan Arabia is more starting on a Caribbean-African beats to build subtly into Moroccan-type ambiances to a slightly more sax-led raga along a long ROCKY way taking advantage of taking all the detours they wish or see fit. (you still with me?) And one can also be slightly aware that this music as pleasant and exhilarating as it may be, is nothing that has not been done afterwards, but also maybe what was just happening around those superb early-70's that no progheads can deny loving. But you might think that by this time some of that same type of MANY groups of that era. (OK, so far?) The least we can say is that Kraan was hardly the only group doing this type of, but this is in

Of course you might guess that the almost 19 minute- centrepiece Head will trip right through your avid ears, sometimes fulfilling superbly to orgiastic peaks, but never to orgasmic heights either. (where are you? L) But they do get close at times if you are enjoying an occasional Jamaican cigarillo, and no-one around to even know you still exist because you isolated yourself from the rest of the planet you live on. Yes , they do get close to it sometimes, but I am not sure the record company's financial director was listening to the discs his record label (the legendary Spiegelei which could eventually be compared to Dawn label in the UK) was putting out. But the group probably did record one short track to tell him it was a potential hit. (you sure you are with me?)

I cannot picture this kind of record with one or two less interesting moments (lengths?) Because not every musical detour always lead to the summit or across the border, but may just you back to where you came from. (Oh!!! Over Here!! Yes).

I just bought the CD version and it has almost the same album as bonus track but in a demo state, but from the quality of the demo would also show you why these guys were signed-up and had a consequent career that almost went to the 90's. (OK, now?) But however talented they are, the utmost Kraan-partisan must be careful not to think that they are really adventurous, all that particularly groundbreaking. Just on a jam-level that a proghead loves, anyway!!!! (see when you want to? ;-) And to think this is only a debut and there are a few more to come, so much more ecstatic times ahead, that you just settle back into your armchair in the sun- drenched launchpad to paradise right next to your pool, and roll another goodie. (was that so difficult? ;-(

So whether you are into MusiC or just plain music, might just make the difference after reading these utterances. Run for it, you progheads!!! (you just got there !-)

How cool does this sound : music with a Krautrock flair, strong song-writing ability, instrumental virtuosity, and a degree of free-spirited jamming ??????? KRAAN are just that (and more) !!! My first encounter with Kraan was during a lunch-break where I went to a nearby 2nd-hand LP shop and heard 'Bandits In The Wood' (from 'Let It Out') and I thought it sounded quite droll (silly me), I eventually purchased 'Andy Nogger' ( which was also available but had weaker cover-art...) and discovered a wonderfully entertaining LP. KRAAN was/is an incredibly strong instrumental combo to this day, amazing bass playing being the first and foremost trait of their music. They released one of *the best* live albums in the history of music (Live '75) - full of distinctive character and fantastic playing/jamming/improvising. On this debut LP, all the pieces were in place, it even sounds almost like a 'live-in-studio' recording - Peter Wolbrandt's funky guitaring, Johannes Pappert's snakey Sax playing (with a unique sound), a tight, jazz-inflected style to Jan Fride's Drumming along with excellent conga-work and Hellmut Hattler's Rickenbacker Bass - already demonstrating he can rip it up (and down) the fretboard in seconds flat. Songs are built around creative riffs and jamming, and incorporate Middle-Eastern scales. Side 1 - 'Sarah's Ritt durch den Schwarzwald' (6.23) opens up with cosmic sounds and breaks into a rumbling riff with a rather obscure progression, some vocals (courtesy of PW) great sax play and the rhythm section simmering along nicely. 'M.C. Escher' (6.14) has some Hammond Organ (credited to Romi) and is again an energetic, groovy jam. The first section has a killer riff and some Arabic tones, especially where the sax is concerned. We get more of that with 'Kraan Arabia' (9.54) - as its title suggests, where a mysterious phrygian mode is crafted into a Krauty work-out. The Saxophone here is sheer delight. The song picks up a few minutes in for some jamming. Hellhat manages a bass-solo, and the opening pattern is returned to, this time around with congas. Side 2 is largely taken up by 'Head' (18.36) which is again jammy, no doubt lots of improvising, great riffs, heavy parts, softer parts, it does all the right moves, and I must say the final riff which slowly builds from a lagging tempo to pure adrenalin, is a real buzz. The album closes with 'Sarah auf der Ganswies' (2.01) a light and delicate piece of music (totally lost within a cloud) complete with some manipulated sax sounds. A wonderful waffle of unique sounds and top-notch musicianship - 4.5 stars, easy.

KRAAN is led by mastermind Helmut Hattler who is one of the best bass players on the planet.In the early days they were fortunate enough to be able to live on an estate free of charge and with no conditions by one Lord Mettermich, a patron to the arts.It was formerly a stud farm and was located in the country.It was at this place that the band lived with up to 13 people, rehearsing for up to seven hours every day.There are some great pictures of the band and of this place in the liner notes.They were very much influenced by world music before they came to live in this place,having previously lived above an oriental folk club that subjected them to arabic music almost 24 hours a day on the weekends.They also listened to a lot of foriegn radio stations which is how they came to get their name when an announcer said a word that sounded like "kraan".They liked it and named themselves KRAAN.My first taste of KRAAN came when i bought their "Kraan Live" cd which is one of the best live records i've ever heard.Encouraged by Tom Ozric i started to dig deeper into this bands discography and it has been so rewarding for me.A perfect blend of krautrock and jazz. "Sarah's Ritt Durch Den Schwarzwald" has this spacey intro that is replaced a minute in by this fantastic melody that is led by these rumbling bass lines.Nice.Love this song.The vocals come in but they're brief.You have to hear the bass in this one! A tasteful guitar solo 3 minutes in.A cool section a minute later as it gets dark and experimental with some sax.Then back to the previous melody with vocals 5 minutes in.Great tune. "M.C. Escher" has an incredible rhythm to it with some organ and lots of sax.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as the drums become prominant.The bass is huge! Some killer organ and sax 3 minutes in.Back to original melody 4 1/2 minutes in.Sax solo to follow.Excellent tune. "Kraan Arabia" is a great title.Percussion to open with congas joining in.Sax follows as the arabic mood has been set.Bass comes in throbbing.Guitar and drums arrive as they just seem to jam after 5 minutes.Some laughing and carrying on after 7 minutes as bass continues.Percussion 8 1/2 minutes in brings back that arabic flavour. "Head" is an 18 1/2 minute track that took up most of the second side of the original album.This sounds so good as vocals join in around a minute as the sound becomes fuller.Cool guitar after 1 1/2 minutes.Some fantastic drumming in this one,especially 4 1/2 minutes in.A calm 8 minutes in is one of my favourite parts.Check out the guitar solo before 11 1/2 minutes that goes on and on as organ and sax come and go.Nice.The bass continues to be ground shaking by the way.Sax takes over 13 1/2 minutes in.Drums and bass start to build after 15 1/2 minutes as sax continues.The tempo picks up to a big climax to end it. "Sarah Auf Der Gansewies" is the 2 minute closing track.Gentle guitar and sax create beauty.Some deep bass lines and sax conclude this song and album. As a bonus they add 4 tracks that were the actual demos that they had sent to the record label that signed them.It's all the songs that would end up on this studio album except for "Kraan Arabia".They sound excellent by the way and differ little from what ended up on this record.This is highly recommended to krautrock fans.4.5 stars.

KRAAN's beginnings date back in 1967 in Ulm with the meeting of teenagers Peter Wolbrandt,Helmut Hattler,Johannes Pappert and Jan Friede.The four young guys started jamming in a free jazz form,before getting serious about music and move to the small town of Wintrup.There is when they adapt the name KRAAN around 1970 and devote themselves to the success of their band.1972 sees the release of their debut self-titled LP on Spiegelei (the same album succeeded several re-issues in the future).

From the very first notes you will realize that you have to do with a hell of a talented band here! The first couple of songs is a haunting and rich mix of deep bass,strong drumming, very complex guitars,some light organ sounds and melodic saxes,which works extremely well.Classic rock meets psych meets jazz rock!''Kraan Arabia'' is even more attractive:here the track is built around furious Arabic tones through Pappert's sax and you should notice the fantastic rhythm section with great pounding bass by Hattler and energetic drumming by Friede.The style of the previous songs returns on the long ''Head'',a 18-min. psych/jazz paradise with a very spacey atmosphere at moments.Here a distinctive drum/bass duo and some light organ sounds support the magnificent work of Wolbrandt,who's style alternates between jazzy chords and rockier solos, and the unique sax parts of Pappert,which maintain a smooth Arabic feeling.Not that experimental but certainly an intricate piece of music.The album closes with a short psych 2-min. track,featuring every instrument in its smoothest sound,definitely a good way to close such a dynamic work.

The EMI re-issue on CD features also four out of the five compositions in their demo version,mainly with shorter running time,which have a historical importance,as with these tracks KRAAN achieved to gain their first contract,along with a short story about the band from the very beginning to the release of their first album.At the end I find myself surprised with this original blending of rock,psych,jazz and ethnic music by KRAAN and ,though I'm not a devoted fan of the German kraut/jazz scene,I can only recommend this album highly to every serious music fan out there.A great release indeed which deserves 4 stars!