UPGOER

HEDERSLEBEN are a new Krautrock band out of Germany named after a village in Germany where Nicky Garratt the brainchild of the project is from. He became interested in this style of music after jamming in Hedersleben with guitarist Uve Mulrich from EMBRYO. By the way this tradition of jamming with other musicians in Hedersleben continues to this day as a yearly event. Nicky and drummer Jason Willer were part of Nik Turner's band on the album "The Space Gypsey" which was released in 2013 just like this album. Nik actually guests on the final track here playing flute. Even more members of HEDERSLEBEN would be on Nik's latest album "Space Fusion Odyssey". Oh, by the way this band HEDERSLEBEN is now also part of BRAINTICKET, joining Joel in that endeavor.

"Upgoer(Part 1)" opens with what sounds like the wind blowing and birds making noise as the organ floats in. Whispered words after 2 1/2 minutes join in as well. Sounds like synths in this experimental and somewhat dark intro. It kicks into a groove before 5 1/2 minutes. Some interesting sounding guitar follows as the female vocals almost shimmer and the drums pound. I like the keyboards before 8 minutes. It's all about the percussion and atmosphere 9 minutes in. This reminds me of Raga music here. "Der Donner Voegel(Dreamstate)" opens with the thunder rumbling as intricate guitar melodies join in. Drums a minute in, synths too. Organ late as we get thunder one more time. Spoken words join in to end it. Beautiful stuff.

"Dark Nebula" has this catchy beat as spoken female words join in. This is very BRAINTICKET-like in my opinion. The beat and voices stop after 2 minutes as we get floating organ then piano joining in. The guitar joins in late. "Upgoer (Part 2)" opens with experimental sounds that come and go until around 4 1/2 minutes when a trippy groove kicks in. A minute later it's experimental again but it's brief this time as it kicks back in quickly. It's jazzy with paino 6 1/2 minutes in then we get a change after 8 minutes as female vocals take over as we get that trippy beat again. "End Of Love(Dreamstate)" has these relaxed guitar melodies as pastoral flute from Nik Turner joins in. Dreamstate indeed. Just a gorgeous soundscape that might be too long.

A great start for this young band and not much thrills me more these days then hearing new Krautrock, Zeuhl or Canterbury. Bring it on! A solid 4 stars.