EINSTIEG

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.