DR. AFTERSHAVE AND THE MIXED-PICKLES

One of the rare albums from which I still possess the original vinyl. I sold almost all the others about ten years ago. They used to be unhearable in the meanwhile because of my carelessness (oh - if I ever could withdraw that!). First of all - I'm not sure if band and album title have changed the places! The back cover contains such informations like 'produced by Dr. Aftershave And The Mixed-Pickles' and 'this record is dedicated to Missus Beastly'. But I don't want to enhance the confusion which the band must have intended for sure.

Nevermind - as I told before I kept it - this is still mine though as a vinyl. Maybe it was the crazy cover art - maybe because MISSUS BEASTLY hails from my little hometown. But this is still history in 1976 anyhow. The line-up which produced this album is totally differing from the original band. The only remaining Herford citizen Lutz Oldemeier (drums) had left and they were hold up furthermore by Norbert Dömling (bass), and the brass section consisting of Friedemann Josch and Jürgen Benz.

The musical style however hadn't changed quite much compared to the eponymous foreunner album. It's a special krautrock fusion which is also known from EMBRYO for example. And some members of this band are present here indeed - Roman Bunka, Christian Burkhard and Butze Fischer - the new drummer. It was the same year when both bands founded the music cooperative APRIL (later renamed to SCHNEEBALL) together with SPARIFANKAL and TON STEINE SCHERBEN. 'Dr. Aftershave And The Mixed-Pickles' is known as the first production of this label.

The first song Miles all along the Watchtower immediately brings up the unique style of the band. Dömling's extraordinary funky and deep toned bass playing and Fischer's impelling drums are serving a special drive. The jazzy note is worked out by saxophone and Burkhard Schmidl's keyboard. Roman Bunka adds an excellent decent rhythm guitar with a slight asian touch. Can't detect references to Jimi Hendrix - more to Miles Davis - but they also could have meant Buddy Miles RIP with the title. So far so good - this song is a wonderful opening act.

If one song ever could be recommended to be extra accessible for more people High Life seems to be a candidate. Nice floating composition near a ballad with vocals by Maria Archer but dominated by synthesizer and electric piano - unfortunately faded out because of the restricted vinyl length I assume. Morning Sun seems to be a passage from a longer band jam and is an example for the obvious krautrock leanings. The funky Gurus for sale contains a jazz rock guitar solo by Roman Bunka - again faded out - what a shame!

Nothing again is devided in two parts seperated by cosmic synth soundscapes. The first segement sounds like a reminiscence to RETURN TO FOREVER with acoustic guitar and the calm second part shines with a bass solo appearance. Funky ethnic with percussion, flute and wonderful sparkling e-pianoPatscha Menga underground follows. The short and modest For Erie closes the album with a classical touch only celebrated by bass and piano.

An album with an excellent mix of arranged and improvised elements. Until today not digitally released what I know and I'm quite sure this would have been done in the meanwhile if the original tapes were still existing. A great pity. Highly recommended to everyone who is looking for jazz rock/fusion albums keeping apart from the average and who is able to reach for one of the vinyl copies (but not mine!).

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