GROTESK

Grotesk evolved in 1980 out of the collaboration of ex-Aera's Muck Groh and Wolfgang Teske, also a former member of Aera and also of Prosper, in the first's album ''Muckefuck''.The name of the band, where Groh played bass and guitar and Teske handled both drums and guitars, came from the surnames of the two musicians: Gro(h)tesk.They were joined by Theo Joergensmann on clarinet, an early member of Contact Trio, and Ulrich Lask on tenor and alto saxophone.Their self-produced debut was pressed in about 500 copies.

Grotesk similarities with AERA are undoubtful, but their music evokes more to early KRAAN, filled with psychedelic, jazzy jams and plenty of ethnic references, led by the loose rhythmic lines, the somewhat funky guitars of Groh and Teske and the dual executions on saxes and clarinet.They came up with an inventive atmosphere, which sometimes combined pleasant tunes over dark-sounding sax and clarinet soloing, while there are also some very interesting acoustic crescendos to be found among the electric moves.It's not of course all about neverending solos, the duo of Joergensmann and Lask will often explore more melodic aspects of their instruments and they sure are the leading forces of the album.Despite the presence of both Groh and Teske on guitars, these are often left in the background, second side contains a more pronounced guitar flavor and definitely a more balanced sound with interesting, jazzy solos.Overall the atmosphere is pleasant and the music alternates between psychedelic abnormalities and smooth Jazz with comfort.

Produced in 1980, but sounding like an early-70's album.KRAAN-influenced Kraut/Jazz Rock with emphasis on sax and clarinet, having a discreet Funk edge in some of its parts.Interesting and recommended.