GELB

Old Conrad was really adventurous with some of his front covers wasn't he? Happily the sounds within are far more appealing. Proto industrial electronics are at play in this excellent instrumental recording from 1974 which finally saw the light of day in '81.

This is one of his more listener friendly albums if such a thing were possible. There's some sort of semblance of tune and construction on each of the tracks unlike a lot of his recordings which sound quite random in approach and execution. All are entirely electronic in nature, but more than likely, not in the way you've heard electronic music before if you're new to this type of sound.

Things kick off with a heavy and oppressive sequenced bunch of electronics - which pretty much sets out the stall of 'Gelb'. It's surprisingly heavy in atmosphere for a Schnitzler album. Antiquated drum machines phase in and out between tunes. You know the type - those 1973 ones that go: Tip, tip, thump, thump, tip, tip,thump, thump.

'Gelb' reminds me a lot of 'MB' - the Italian industrial artist from the early 80's. It's dark and oppressive throughout it's duration. Fans of Klaus Schulze's 'Cyborg' would do well to check this out.

Don't be put off by the sleeve, this is one of Schnitzler's best recordings amongst his huge catalogue.