EINSTIEG

The first Between album is in a pure traditional vein. A world music precursor, which blends traditional instruments with tribal percussions, organ and oboe, this last intrument makes this fusion somehow similar to the « Oregon » band in sound, without the eastern ragga side. The music is sometimes illustrated by various odd sound effects, giving a light psychedelic hint to the whole, like in the opener « Katakomben », which also features beautiful mystic Christian Hymns. The organ contributes to create a deeper cerebral dimension with a slight avant-garde, contemporary flavour, such as in the « Space trip » suite, one of the most progressive pieces of the album. Overall, this intriguing debut album is not as intense as the dark esoteric and mystic follower «And the waters opened ».

Debut album from a rather uncommon group of musicians from Munich, but probably the first one to delve into what would one day become World music, lead by German P-M Hamel, even if the Munich-based sextet comprised musicians from four different nations (2 Germans, 2 Americans, 1 Argentinean and an Irish) is hardly typical of the style in regard with their entire discography. Indeed musically, Between presented a psych-ethnic-classical mostly acoustic and almost entirely instrumental (the odd scats and chants) fusion that also delves in Musique Concrete and cosmic realm, the whole thing being terribly avant- garde. It wouldn't be too surprising to find out that this album wouldn't have helped Magma, Univers Zero, Art Zoyd and even Henry Cow in their own coming times.

From the Gregorian chants put to psychey congas and crumhorn (and ending in pure Cosmic nightmarish terror, just saved by a gong) of Katakomben to the four-part Space Trip, this album will sweep you from your feet and set you in another world. The feeling is often medieval (as in the awesome and spine- chilling Volkstanz and the solemn Triumphzug) reminding of an easier Third Ear Band, but sometimes veering in a dissonant Indian music (Primary Stage) where Vander's Kobaian Guru Guru (you following? ;- ) friends passed by. Some Kosmik passages like Flight Of Ideas are almost improvised, yet the music is incredibly descriptive of the forest at dawn (my take on it). The four-part monster 28-min Space Trip track is not any different, but has some incredibly haunting ambiances that can go from joys to angst always flirting with the dissonant and almost with the atonal

Einstig is a stunning debut album (at times reminding of Oregon), one that probably influenced a difficult- to-assess number of bands throughout the 70's and it is the first in a line of 6 aesthetically impeccable oeuvres, as Between always resisted commercial temptations. This album received a recent re-issue (as did the following ATWO album) with extensive liner notes (very helpful too) and bonus material on the Wergo label, and it's a must-listen for all progheads loving a challenge.

BETWEEN's first album called "Einstieg"(embarkment) released in 1971 is a multi-national affair with 2 Germans, 2 Americans, an Irishman and an Argentinian making up the group. Peter Hamel the leader and keyboard player guested on AGITATION FREE's debut record, while Robert Eliscu the aboe player played on a few POPOL VUH and AMON DUUL II records. Flautist James Galway from Ireland would only play on this the debut record for BETWEEN, he would later become world famous as a classical flautist. This album was groundbreaking at the time blending World music, Psychedelic, Experimental, Raga, Chamber music and Classical. This is unique to say the least. The bands goal was to explore all possibilities when it came to music and that was done by continually improvising.They loved to experiment, and there were no boundries. The result is often difficult to digest, let alone enjoy. A lot of sounds with no melody on one hand, and then a lot of percussion and flute on the other.This is mostly acoustic as well.

"Katakomben" opens with vocal melodies that are joined by percussion a minute in. Aboe and flute come in around 2 1/2 minutes. Then we get some weird sounds. "Song For Two" features some pleasant acoustic guitar. Flute, percussion and cello are added. "Volkstanz" features heavy sounds from the kettle drums as flute and ethnic sounds come and go. Weird vocal sounds also can be heard. "Primary Stage" is mostly percussion and whistling-like sounds. "Flight Of Ideas" opens with the sound of a jet taking off followed by a pastoral soundscape including birds chirping. We also get some strange squeeky noises and flute 2 minutes in. A very experimental track. "Triumphzug Kaizser Maximilian I" actually has a melody ! Percussion, flute and other sounds. Guitar before 2 minutes is a welcomed sound.

"Barcelona Rain" opens with acoustic guitar before aboe,flute and percussion take over. A storm arrives of thunder and rain followed quickly by dissonant sounds. Back to acoustic guitar as themes are repeated. "Memories" is chamber music like UNIVERS ZERO or HENRY COW would do. "Space Trip" on my remastered version is expanded by almost 20 minutes. Like the previous song we get different sounds coming and going but this one is spacey, a real trip. During the final section(8 1/2 minutes) it sounds like your in a freaking zoo with all the whistling sounds going on. The final track "Try Bach" is fortunately only a minute long. It just doesn't work for me. Yikes.

A tough one for me to rate because this was groundbreaking in many ways and very well played. It's just the enjoyment level overall isn't too high. 3.5 stars.