A to Z of Classic German Prog

CYCLOPEAN     A classic Krautrock band for the modern age and with only one EP to their name so far, presumably having one eye on making a full album sometime. Meanwhile, Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson has one eye on his five bags of "heroin" (potentially worth £12 million on the streets of London, but actually worth about £5) which he somehow has to get through customs without anyone noticing, at the same time as smoking the biggest toke.... in the world (although he didn't inhale) and finding an alternative use for Viagra. Just another day on Top Gear. 

COZMIC CORRIDORS       A darkly atmospheric Krautrock classic shrouded in more mystery and mystique than the identity of Top Gear's Stig. 

Hi,

It may, for some performers, be a sad thing, but in the end, it showcased some talent and a few things that in many ways showcased the extent of the German "krautrock" thing, by taking it to what could be considered a little into the psychedelic side of things.

The Cosmic Jokers, had one side of it be the opening for Space Pirate Radio for many years. Both sides are far out, and they feel like an improvisation, though it is not quite clear ... it has a similar feeling to the MMSoundtrack by AD2. That kind of amazing touch ... pure "krautrock" improvisation!

Galactic Supermarket and Gilles Zeitschiff, might be a bit weird, but it feels like it is taking things into the psychedelic side some ... not sure how to otherwise characterize these pieces. They are interesting, and one of the seemingly appreciating Gilles, though we have no idea who some of these folks are ... my guess are that they were guests in the studio that happened to say something or help it all move along. I have a slightly different, less savory opinion of some of these moments, and how they took place, but everyone being very stoned and probably naked, is likely to have some interesting results. In those days, we didn't exactly do the stuff to just go walk around the street!!!!  

These two albums were also an advertising for the other albums by the same group and I believe it was Galactic Supermarket that also had a poster with all its members which was in my wall for a long time. The listing also included other groups and folks that were a part of these recordings, and Wallenstein was one of these. At the moment I can not remember any others.

Planeten Sit-In is more of a KS album, with some neat parts in it. I am not sure how to review this, other than there is a possibility that some new/newer equipment that KS did not have or had played on before, that gave him a chance to go crazy on it. There are really far out moments in this album that show some improvisational ability, and likely moments of discovery and turning a sound into something playable.

Not mentioned, but belonging in this group, is the album Tarot, which is credited to Walter Wegmuller, who  narrates descriptions of the Tarot's Major Arcana, with musical vignettes by KS, and sometimes, I think you and I would think that we want to hear KS in these moments, and not WW whose voice is tiresome, and not exactly special ... but for a record, I think that it might make for an interesting context, but the appreciation is going downhill with that voice. I, personally, do not find the voice has anything that could be considered "spiritual" or "magical" on it, other than a Hollywood styled presentation that is ... up to you ... but not quite special to me. But the album has some far out moments and the ORIGINAL was a box that included a small Tarot deck. 

COSMIC FALL      Zweifarbig bombers! Kick Out the Jams with Space Rock band Cosmic Fall, delivering three of the most unrelenting, pounding German sonic attacks since the Luftwaffe last appeared over Coventry, but will they last a thousand years? 

CHICKENCAGE EXPERIENCE     Unleash the chickens! An eggs-otic mind-blowing Space Rock eggs-perience for those who have a Black Belt in Karma Sutra. 

BACKSTREET ROMEOS      One of the most versatile Space Rock bands you're ever likely to hear, not just in Germany, but in the entire Solar System! Flight to Metaluna has it all, including Raga Rock, Jazz, Symphonic Prog and a tribute to Pink Floyd! Prepare for lift-off!! This album is incredible!!!     

Thanks for giving Cherubin and Tanned Leather a worthy mention. I'm now backtracking slightly on the A-Z list by adding all of the other great Psychedelic/Space Rock bands to the Krautrock mix. 

I know, but well done for noticing my deliberate error.