SOLAR MUSIC - LIVE

Do you hear solar music? Do you hear solar musc? is the musical question being asked here and if this Grobsschnitt live album doesn`t space you right out it`s time to call up NASA and rent a space shuttle.

Taken from the second half of a show in Mulhiem, West Germany in 1978 , the album showcases an excellent live interpretation loosely based on the original Solar Music composition which appeared on their second studio album, Ballerman. Grobschnitt were known for their extravagant high-energy stage shows which featured pyrotechnics, humour, choreographed dancers and performers and LONG sets. It was almost like a mini-circus minus the tigers and elephants. Eccentrics such as hysterical laughter and a wacky German-language musings can be heard every where in this largely instrumental meltdown. Although it can sound like an improvised piece at times don`t expect a free for all blowout jam. It takes a few minutes to get underway ( the band even cracks some jokes at the beginning ), but flares up into spacey, ambient keyboard sections some heavy trippy soloing on guitars and splashes of vocal humour courtesy of drummer EROC. Everything paints itself nicely into one of the most unusual musical trips I`ve ever experienced. If you haven`t witnessed them live, as this reviewer has, a lot might blow over your head because it`s the visual aspect of Grobschnitt`s live presentations combined with the music which make them all the more exciting, but the album is totally freaky just the same. A DVD recording of Solar Music would be very welcome indeed!

This album is way in the red on the freakout meter and a must for fans of the Krautrock genre. The original vinyl as well as early CD releases had to be cut down about 13 minutes so be sure to get a copy with the "missing 13 minutes". One of the greatest live prog albums ever. Strap yourself into the ejection seat for this 5 star space excursion.