RABENTEUER

Out of the ashes of the Kraut/Psych/Jazz-Rock act Opposum came to life this German Kraut/Jazz-Rock band from Warburg in 1975.Actually Morpheus was just a shorter version of Opossum, as bassist/flutist Peter Blömeke, guitarist Gerold Adler, sax player Heinrich Holtgreve and drummer Alfred Franke shared time with both bands.Morpheus released a private LP in 1976 entitled ''Rabenteuer''.

This an equal-sounding effort along the lines of KRAAN, ALTONA, MISSUS BEASTLY and AERA with the tracks being all-instrumental and split between guitar-driven workouts and sax-based light improvisations.A good example of jazzy Kraut-Rock, ''Rabenteuer'' has unfortunately a very dated production and a very mediocre sound quality, like if the band played all pieces live, but the musicianship is satisfying, characterized by a great number of funky beats, psych-sounding guitar parts, a groovy rhythm section and a huge amount of sax leads.All compositions have good structures with a semi-loose feeling and a positive aura, where the listener can listen to plenty of solos and nice breaks.The only major flaw seems to be the similarity between the tracks, especially on the interplays.The Garden of Delights CD reissue seems even more interesting, as it contains a 2o-min. live jamming of the band, typical of the Jazz-Rock style in Germany around the 70's with some nice guitar and sax solos to be discovered.

Not better but also not worse compared to the mass of German Jazz/Kraut-Rock bands.Lots of energy, improvisations and interesting grooves based on guitars and sax, which will leave pleased all fans of the Kraut movement.Recommended.