OUT OF FOCUS

Tasteful jamming is the spine of the album; ''Whispering'' and ''Television Programme'' are pristine examples of excellent ''build a crescendo'' jamming. It works particularly well with the latter as the vocal sections get slightly more powerful until the powerful shuffle at the end makes every other moment in the song worthwhile. The album does have its great quiet, laidback moments like ''Fly Bird Fly'' (feelings of Jethro Tull here), and the monster Hammond fueled opener is hard to resist.

Vocally, OUT OF FOCUS is not that strong. ''Blue Sunday Morning'' suffers from a weak Cantebury sound. Taken as a whole, if you love bands like Nucleus and Chicago (or even Amon Duul II), give this album a test run.

The tunes on "Wake Up' , are pretty good and each member holds things together very well. I've certainly no beef with their ability to play. The guitars are brilliant, reminiscent in a way of the 'Flower Travellin Band' "Satori" era.

Clearly, these guys were gifted. Unfortunately, 'Out of Focus' sound like a lot of bands from this time, and I would strongly advise any newcomer of this group to check out 'Four letter Afternoon' before this recording. It was was their masterpiece recorded two years later, incorporating many more musicians, instruments and versatility, also sounding a lot bigger, more urgent and important than this reasonable but forgettable album.

Forget the first two albums. This is where it's at. An entirely uplifting and energetic album that doesn't let up for an hour and a half. Despite the English vocals from a Germanic tongue which otherwise might sound really tacky, it had me and my pals singing boisterously in the back seat of a car going on a camping holiday!

The first disc is a real foot stomper in a Germanic Krautrock way with Tuetonic voices and heavy keyboards and bass. The thing that prevents this being a 5 star is the 2nd disc. I think it's the lack of vocals which were so brilliant on the first.

It's still pretty damn good but doesn't have the same playfulness ' as what went before. A superbly clear recording, and one of the best Kraut albums I've heard.

On LP it was a double album running over some 94 minutes, and is reissued here by Esoteric's Reactive imprint as a double CD. The original concept is preserved, and the first CD consists of the album `proper'. More interesting though, is the 3 part rolling improvisation `Huchen 55' which occupies the entire 48 minutes of CD2.

Based in Munich, Out Of Focus were a lesser known name in Krautrock circles, but their work stands up extremely well to modern ears. From psychedelic beginnings they end up here as a band determined to explore the furthest reaches of their music. The addition of a multitude of extra players brings to mind at times the original Keith Tippett Group and their subsequent contribution to a short-lived expanded Soft Machine, and whilst it's fair to say that the Softs influence is felt here, these musicians are accomplished enough to over-ride any direct comparisons and to tread their own path.

The original first LP begins with the 18 minute `L.S.B.' which moves through a variety of well constructed changes without ever getting boring, the added instrumentation making a welcome improvement to the Out Of Focus sound. `When I'm Sleeping' somehow manages vocally to conjure up images of Peter Banks era Yes, although the vocal sweetness on display here is rather an exception to the rule. `Tsajama' for example, suffers rather badly from some ill-advised scat vocals, there won't be too many people buying this album for the singing, which like previous OOF albums is somewhat secondary to the music. It's really all about the instrumental interplay, and the rolling, evolving compositions which have never sounded better than here.

The second disc `Huchen 55' is one extended piece which most fully realises the vision. The three sections are woven together and bookended by a recurring thread played on flutes and ushering in open-ended group performances which sound like they come from a jam session which is quite possibly still going on to this day. It probably reflects most what the band was like live with no time restrictions. What is very appealing about it, is that it moves and transforms magically through various satisfying musical evolutions without ever losing momentum or becoming dull. I am reminded of Xhol Caravan's epic work here, music which was elusive, sublime, yet immensely satisfying. It is this disc to which I am likely to return time and time again and I urge you to do so too.

Out Of Focus recorded more material at these sessions much of which was subsequently issued and was found to be of a very high standard too. This however completes the sequence of the three albums issued in the band's existence, and which are all newly reissued by Reactive. For many is their finest hour. `Huchen 55' is one of those pieces you can have on repeat all day as it melts into the room, and for this alone it is unreservedly recommended.

They have flautist on board, and flute soloing adds to music very folksy (or Jethro Tull-like) flavour. Other important components - heavy Hammond passages, psychedelic guitars and social-critical lyrics. Possibly, vocal is not for everyone taste, but it's ok for me.

Jazzy arrangements are presented, but in all album's music couldn't be named jazz-rock. I like their melodic compositions, organ passages, heavy guitars and a bit naive sound in whole. Nice atmosphere of early 70-s. Only some repetitive songs structure reminds their origin and some connection with krautrock.

My rating is 3+.

"I'd Like To Be Free" opens with a guitar melody then a fuller sound arrives before a minute. Nice organ and bass section follows.Vocals join in too then sax. Great sound before 4 minutes with the guitar and sax standing out. Bass and organ lead briefly around 6 minutes again. Piano late. "Table Talk" opens with horns with no real melody as they come and go. Drums and bass join in for support. Organ before 4 1/2 minutes. Horns dominate before 7 minutes. This sounds incredible ! "Rat Roads" builds with horns and drums but it settles back quickly as the organ floats in the background. It picks up before 4 minutes then kicks in with gusto. "Fallen Apples" is a short mellow tune with horns,keys and gentle guitar.

"Straight Ahead" has a good rhythm to it with organ playing over top. Horns join in and dominate. "Tell Me What I'm Thinking Of" is led by vocals, drums, organ and bass.The chorus just sweeps me away. So good. Guitar before 1 1/2 minutes then the horns join in. Just a gorgeous track. "Climax" opens with the horns sounding like they're warming up (haha). We start to get a melody before 5 minutes and they seem to jam the rest of the way. "Kitchen Blues" is 30 seconds of mainly horns while "Good-Bye Honey" is a minute of the guitar, bass and drums standing out.

Another exceptional release from these talented Germans. Well worth checking out.

The drums and sax standout early on the opening track "That's Very Easy".This is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer's day. Flute 2 minutes in followed by guitar then vocals as it settles. It picks up before settling again with flute. It kicks in before 6 1/2 minutes with guitar. Nice. Vocals are back late. Great tune. "X" is an instrumental and it's such an incredible track. The sax, flute and guitar all sound so good. They seem to simply jam in a tasteful yet passionate manner. The opening soundscape is reprised before 7 minutes. Drum solo 8 1/2 minutes in. "The Way I Know Her" is a short tune with vocals, strummed guitar and some flute. "Y" is another long instrumental. Sax, gentle guitar and cymbals to start. It kicks in at 2 minutes with sax leading.The guitar before 4 minutes is excellent. "Spanish Lines" features a foundation of bass and drums as guitar and sax play over top. A change 2 minutes in as it becomes more intense before settling back later.

Easily 4 stars and a must if your into any of their first 3 studio albums.

I must say I was moved on two different tracks by the singers passion as he sang about human rights. He pleads on the first song "Please treat us right, please". And on "Fly Bird Fly" the over 20 minute political track where I completey agree with his views he gives a performance worthy of "Woodstock". The music here is absolutely incredible. The extended jams with sax, then guitar, then flute, it's all the kind of music I love. The Krautrock spirit is alive and well here on these Jazzy jams. All but one of the tracks blends into one another. They just played.

I would give 5 stars but the drum and organ solos go on too long for my tastes. I still dig them though. How about the fuzzed out organ on "Cafe Stiletto" where he solos for over 5 minutes. Each member though gets his turn to take the spotlight at some point. Even the singer on the final track screams and carries on. What a show !

The album spins off with ''L.S.B.'' and this track has it all...Jazz rock improvisations,folky flute moments,classic rock influences,even a symphonic touch feel...excellent start...Next comes ''When I'M sleeping'',a beautiful track which lies between classic rock and jazz/blues rock with nice vocals...''Tsajama'' shows another face of the band...weird vocalization with improvisations,a psychedelic feel blendid with jazz/blues.a really strange piece of music...The 2 tracks that close CD 1 are rather weak in my opinion...Clearly influenced by JIM MORRISSON and THE DOORS these tracks seem like a fish out of the water in prog terms...Should fit better in a DOORS album,they aren't bad at all,but they also spoil the prog image of the band...

What about CD 2?...It consist of three lengthy tracks between 10 and 24 minutes which seem like a jazz rock suite,full of improvisations with tons of sax,flute and piano!...The question is:Can anyone listen to 45 minutes of improvisatiob?The answer is yes and no...Yes,because the whole thing seems like heading to somewhere,it's not just abstract music,they seem like complete arrangements with changing moods and climates...No simply because 45 minutes of music improvisations are just too long...

Closing this review I'll rate this release with 3.5 stars and I highly recommend this album to anyone who loves jazz/prog rock or to somebody who wants to broaden his collection with another decent prog rock disc...

"L.S.B." opens dramatically with blasting sax and pounding drums before settling down a minute in with sax leading the way. THE DOORS-like organ 3 minutes in. It gets very chaotic after 4 1/2 minutes with lots of brass and loud thunder. A calm with flute 6 minutes in. The tempo picks up with sax again leading the way before 8 minutes. The bass is prominant.The tempo continues to change. Vocals for the first time 13 1/2 minutes in with piano. Guitar after 15 minutes. "When I'm Sleeping" is actually a bonus track and one of my favourites. It's a laid back, smooth song with vocals. Tasteful guitar as sax, piano, bass and drums stand out. "Tsajama" would then be my favourite original song on this double album. A flute intro before a full sound comes quickly. Guitar and organ 2 minutes in are great. They then jam for a while before vocals come in before 6 minutes. Cool vocal melodies follow. The tempo picks up 8 minutes in as vocal melodies continue. "Black Cards" is mellow with flute, percussion and gentle guitar to start. Vocals and sax a minute in. Organ takes the lead 4 minutes in as they just jam. Great section before the vocals come back. "Where Have You Been" is another mellow song with reserved vocals and acoustic guitar leading the way. Flute does join in but that's all. He drops an f-bomb 2 minutes in for good measure.

The second disc is really one song divided into 3 parts. It's called "Huchen". Like i said earlier it's a sort of nod to SOFT MACHINE. In the first part sax,flute and bass dominate. The second part has some experimental passages where we just get flute sounds without any melody. It gets aggressive for the first time before 10 minutes. The guitar goes on for 2 minutes starting at 12 minutes. Then flute takes over and it blends into the final and longest part of the song. Not much in the way of a melody until the guitar comes in before 6 minutes. Lots of sax later as the mood and tempo continues to change and shift. Impressive second disc but not as enjoyable as the first for me.

Check out "Wake Up !" or their self titled release for some excellent Krautrock.This one blends Krautrock with Jazz / Rock quite well.