FEELING

This was a German group by students, formed sometime in 1974 in the town of Emmerich in the lower Rhein area.Their surnames were never revealed, the guys were Joe (vocals, lead guitar), Wolfgang (bass, vocals), Ulli (guitar, flute, vocals) and Egon (drums), while later they were joined by Olli on synthesizer.After playing a number of gigs they recorded some tracks and knocked the doors of Sky Records and Phonogram for a contract without success.They decided to press the album by themselves and in 1976 ''Feeling'' was stored in a number of 500 copies.

It doesn't get much more Kraut-styled Rock than this one, music that is very psychedelic, powerful and jamming, featuring mood changes and energetic soloing as well as some very haunting vocals.Tons of fuzz guitar playing, lots of flute in the vein of RUFUS ZUPHALL and marching bass and drumming.The short opening pieces are typical of the style with great guitar tricks in a Heavy/Psych style and some light Folk influences, while the longer ones showcase a wider palette of influences.Despite the sinister title of ''Nightmare'', this 10-min. cut comes in an ethereal package of rockin' and psychedelic sounds, introducing the synthesizers into the style of the band, adding romantic choirs and storytelling vocals in the process and reducing the guitar pounds in some slow-motion, almost PINK FLOYD-ian solos, which still have this standard Teutonic touch.The 13-min. ''King and queen'' is the absolute definition of Kraut Rock, not flawless by any means, but surely an interesting piece of art, kickin' off with slow gears on guitar, which sound a bit bluesy, the singing lines are very melancholic and the atmosphere is pretty dramatic and epic, while the closing minutes offer tireless electric soloing and reckless drumming.Same structure for the 7-min. title-track, dreamy and psychedelic opening minutes with soft guitars, discreet synths and lyrics before the upcoming explosion, which gets the band back on the Kraut van, some great electric solos over psychedelic sound effects and vocal distortions.

The album was repressed in another 500 copies later and Lightshine played about 200 more gigs, sometimes next to big names such as Hoelderlin, Jane, Scorprions and Colosseum II.The big break never came and in 1977 they split up due to internal disagreements.

Interesting Kraut Rock from the mid-70's.Psychedelic, lyrical and intense, having often a cosmic aura.Recommended, original issue is only for big wallets, several LP and CD issues out.