SCI-FI PARTY

Five COSMIC JOKERS albums were released in 1974 with all the music coming from the sessions they had from February to May in 1973. An all-star lineup with ASH RA TEMPEL members Klause Schulze and Manual Gottsching along with WALLENSTEIN members Jurgen Dollase and Harald Groskopf. Dieter Dierks who recorded the music in his studio adds some bass, while Rosi Muller adds vocal expressions. Certainly the first two albums are the best in my opinion but this one is right there as well. It just took me a while to appreciate it because it's a little different with the shorter tracks and lots of spoken words, but once I got used to that i've been so impressed with this recording.This is a sci-fi party alright ! There certainly was some controvery associated with these albums as Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser released these albums without telling the musicians or giving them royalties. On the other hand these musicians knew they were being recorded, in fact that's why they were there for the love of music and drugs.

"Im Reich Der Magier" opens with drums, keys and other sounds but It settles down quickly. It's spacey with atmosphere. Male and female spoken words come in after 2 minutes and they echo at times.The sound gets fuller before 5 1/2 minutes. Nice.This is amazing as drums pound and Schulze does his thing on the synths. It blends into "Der Herrscher" then the sound changes. I love this track. Check out Gottsching on the guitar. So good. Male spoken words come and go. "The Cosmic Curriers Meet South Philly Willy" opens with piano and drums. Guitar before a minute as the sound kicks in. An excellent instrumental where Gottsching and the boys impress with a surprisingly symphonic track.

"Kinder Des Alls I" is "out there" with the electronics. Some drums and female vocals that echo. Check out Schulze sounding very much like he did on his solo albums. A very spacey ending that blends into "The Electronic Scene". Male spoken words then Rosi's words come in and echo.This is haunting and draped in atmosphere. "Kinder Des Alls II" features mellotron-like sounds throughout and it's simply breath-takingly beautiful. "Interplay Of Forces" is spacey to start as female spoken words arrive before a minute. Strummed guitar 3 1/2 minutes in as the mood brightens. Electric guitar comes in over top along with drums and bass. Nice. "Planeten Sit-In" opens with electronics. Drums join in and there's lots of atmosphere before 2 minutes. Piano before 2 1/2 minutes as the atmosphere fades out.

This is an incredible trip from the masters. A must for Krautrock fans and space cadets.