LIFE

Significant German progressive Jazz-Rockers from Hamburg,Release Music Orchestra was actually the jazzy reincarnation of Tommorow's Gift.By the disbanding of the later the main core,that is keyboardist Manfred Rürup, bassist Bernd Kiefer and drummer Wolfgang "Zabba" Lindner, remained stable, while wind-instrumentalist Norbert Jacobsen (formerly on Achim Reichel's projects A.R.Machines and Frankie Dymon Jr.) joined for the recordings of ''Life''.This debut saw the light in 1974 on Brain Records,with a CD re-issue following some 20 years later on Germanofon.

While most of Kraut/Jazz-Rock bands of the time were tending to deliver one-dimensional improvisations and sometimes monotonous solo performances, ''Life'' remains on a great balance from the very first to very last minute.Yes,the sound is typical of jazz-tinged 70's German bands with KRAAN and PASSPORT being the closest reference points,yet what simply amazes the listener here is the endless number of fantastic interplays and the constant alternation of instrumental sections. Lovely work by Jacobsen on clarinet and even better performance by Rürup on his electric piano, which has almost a Canterbury-edge at moments.What is even greater is the majestic use of Mellotron in a couple of tracks,offering a haunting atmospheric background, rarely met in the typical Kraut-Jazz releases.The rhythm section delivers a series of furious and strong grooves and often some very complex individual performances.The whole package is more than attractive,compared to the best works of KRAAN, EMBRYO or PASSPORT.

An impressive mix of Kraut Rock, Jazz and Progressive Rock, ''Life'' is a monstrous work with a variety of moods, different passages and professional interplays and a great starting point into an endless Kraut Rock journey.Highly recommended.

RELEASE MUSIC ORCHESTRA are from Germany and they rose from the ashes of TOMORROW'S GIFT. In fact the trio that was on TOMORROW'S GIFT second and final album called "Goodbye Future" are all part of this along with clarinet player Norbert Jacobsen who had played clarinet on A.R. & MACHINES' "Echo" album. Now I would describe "Goodbye Future" as a Krautrock album with a jazzy flavour while here on "Life" we get pretty much a straight up Jazz Rock affair. Oh I forgot to mention that Tommy Goldschmidt formerly from IKARUS played percussion with this band as well.

"Eroffnung-Tippa Tibana" opens with the band being introduced in a live setting followed by mellow music. A fuller sound before 2 minutes and we get some excellent drum work here as the clarinet plays over the top. There's a CAMEL vibe here. It settles late to end it. "Revue In Blau" starts to build early with the drums and clarinet leading. It settles back 3 minutes in then kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes. It settles again 5 1/2 minutes in as that nice groove retruns. "Damaskus" is a top two for me. A catchy rhythm to start with the clarinet playing over top along with electric piano sounds oh so good. The drumming here is great as they seem to jam away. Some distorted organ before 4 1/2 minutes. Nice.

"Rot Wild" opens with atmosphere along with electric piano. It becomes psychedelic sounding as it echoes. It kicks in before 4 minutes with drums and more. "Der Traum Des Herrn P." has these repetitive drum patterns as the keyboards help out. Distorted organ joins in. A fuller sound before 3 1/2 minutes and the drumming as usual is so impressive. Dissonant horn before 4 minutes and vocal melodies after 6 minutes. "Zemas Rutan" is my other top two. This has some laid back guitar and floating organ. It's so different from the rest and I love it. "Morgengabe" has some energy as we get more of that fantastic drumming along with electric piano, bass and horns standing out.

Just some killer instrumental work on this record making it an easy 4 stars for me.