What albums did you listen to today?

Dom - Edge Of Time. What really caught my attention was the band's name, which means "house" in Polish. This appeared quite interesting to me when I read this was a krautrock outfit with one of its members from Poland. So, I had to take the listen. As primitive and formal the cover looks, the music on Edge Of Time is nothing short of a futuristic journey. In fact, I had to check if the last track is not a modern remix - it sounded that futuristic! The acid folk elements placed on ambient, electronic "clouds" work perfectly well! Great listen!
Henry Cow - 40th Anniversary Box Set, Volume 6. Being a die-hard Henry Cow fan, I had to get to the second 40th Anniversary Box Set sometime, especially considering that I've really enjoyed the first one. The same story with this, at least volume 6. One of the highlights is the full version of "Erk Gah" and also an unexpected pop-like shanty "No More Songs". Recommended!
Heldon - Allez Teia. I had had the name "Heldon" in my mind for many months before checking their music out a month ago or so. I really like the electric electronic sound that they have, a mix of German-flavored electronic symphonies and Robert Fripp's guitar works. "In Wake Of King Fripp", the opener, is absolutely killer and one of the tracks that really sticks with you. BTW, I've managed to recreate the exact same guitar tone as on that piece today using a BOSS PH-2 Super Phaser and TC Hall Of Fame reverb through my 1960 Gibson GA-5 amp, if anyone is interested in that sort of tech stuff.
Cos - Viva Boma. The Belgian Canterbury, huh? At times, this really sounds close to National Health. And I mean really close. There are flavors of Quiet Sun, too. But, all in all this album is, in my book, just ok. Nothing really to write home about, besides a few really climax-y moments with juicy fuzz organ or Amanda Parsons-like singing in French. Excellent musicianship is one of the album's strongest points. I guess it will need a few more listens.
Harmonia - Live 1974. After really enjoying Harmonia's debut album, I wanted to check out their live performances from around that period. Once again, this is just good, but lacks this spark that makes Musik Von Harmonia such an enjoyable listen. But it's nice relaxing music! I like it nonetheless.

I've also watched the BBC Four documentary Krautrock: The Rebirth Of Germany and it was a really nice film. Even my mom, who is not all that much into Krautrock (besides Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk) took her time to watch the whole thing. I really appreciate it!

Monday...

Meltdowner wrote: Zacht Automaat - Normality Bias Zacht Automaat - We Can't Help You If We Can't Find You

How did you like Zacht Automaat?

^I've never even heard that name. Will have to check that one out! Thanks for the heads up!

Charles Mingus - Mingus at Carnegie Hall. I thought I would go back to this album. For many months, I've considered this as an absolute #1 when it comes to live-cut jazz albums. The whole band Mingus is playing with is STEAMIN'! On "C-Jam Blues" the improvisation goes from bebop, through cool jazz and hardbop, to free-jazz, while based on traditional jazz-blues changes. It seems to be the capstone of what jazz has achieved up to 1974, when this was recorded. The atmosphere on the entire album is just so exceptional! I can't recommend this enough.
Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia. I've really enjoyed this album at my first listen, so I gave it another one today. And this has confirmed to be an excellent album. I think it keeps perfect equilibrium between ambient and Kraftwerk or Neu!-like melodic parts. The electronic percussion gives this one a really "cute" taste, in my opinion. A very enjoyable listen!
Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk. For some stupid reason, I have dismissed Kraftwerk for many months, highly likely because I was associating them with their more pop/dance-oriented era. Their self-titled debut album is out-standing!!! The opener, "Ruckzuck" is extremely striking with it's distinctive feel. And that flute man! Gotta love it. "Von Himmel Hoch" closes with what sounds like an atomic eruption, which is in my opinion a really nice touch, especially considering the political situation in Germany back then. Looking forward to discovering more things like this in the future!
French TV - French TV. For some reason, I have not really got to listen to French TV until today. They undoubtedly have a very unique sound. The rhythmic meters seem quite unorthodox and far-out. Everything has a really neat avant-Canterburian piquancy to it. There is, however, something that really takes away from this album (for me). It sounds quite dated with its typical 80's avant-rock sound. It's a nice work, though!
Gong - Continental Circus. I was positively surprised, having expected the worst from this effort. It was actually qutie nice with its simple, single-layered flatness. This is mainly improvisation-based and I don't mean jazzy improv, but rather bluesy vamps with spacey toppings and Didier Malherbe's jazzy flute. Quite simple, yet pretty enjoyable!
Harmonia - Harmonia Deluxe. Quite unmemorable, I must say. I don't remember everything much from this album, although I've listened to it about two hours ago. I really like the addition of drums, they give Harmonia a really nice flavor that reminds me of... Neu! At times, this is quite similar to Neu!, at times more electronic and even dance-oriented. It's a nice album, but not as good as Musik von Harmonia, in my book.
Colosseum - Valentyne Suite. It's an album that I like to revisit once in a while. It is one of my favorites when it comes to brass/jazz-rock with proggy edge. These guys were pretty far out with that album in 1969 and very progressive. Actually, it was one of the first prog rock albums that I've checked out. Really good music!

That was my day. I've got to some new things to listen to. I need a new ear-shock! Kraftwerk was one, but not a lasting one. I'll maybe explore some more jazz-oriented krautrock territories tomorrow.

Tom Ozric wrote: ^ Dude, Harmonia - Deluxe .... It is a little lesser than the debut, but at least features Mani Neumeier on drums. You ought to check out Guru Guru. Kraftwerk's debut is BRILLIANT. True Kraut, not the electro stuff they did in a few years time. Classic ! Love Dom, another essential album. Love the Gong. Cool space-jams that hit the spot.

Harmonia Deluxe was very nice and more krauty than their debut. Of course, Guru Guru was probably the first kraut band I've listened to... Without knowing it! Even before I've discovered prog, I think. Kanguru is outstanding, but so is UFO (people hate it for some reason) and Live.
You know how much I love Gong, I know how much you love them, Tom!

ALotOfBottle wrote: Tom Ozric wrote: ^ Dude, Harmonia - Deluxe .... It is a little lesser than the debut, but at least features Mani Neumeier on drums. You ought to check out Guru Guru. Kraftwerk's debut is BRILLIANT. True Kraut, not the electro stuff they did in a few years time. Classic ! Love Dom, another essential album. Love the Gong. Cool space-jams that hit the spot. Harmonia Deluxe was very nice and more krauty than their debut. Of course, Guru Guru was probably the first kraut band I've listened to... Without knowing it! Even before I've discovered prog, I think. Kanguru is outstanding, but so is UFO (people hate it for some reason) and Live. You know how much I love Gong, I know how much you love them, Tom!

Tymon, how old you said you are - 17 !!??   Wow, you know what important music is. Not that I know much, but there's something that gravitates all us folks to this kind of music. Kanguru, UFO and Live are all outstanding from the band. In fact, there's nothing weak from Guru Guru Out of the 14 LP's I have from them. A magnificent band.
Not as 'special' as Henry C, but close. I wish you would try Hugh Hopper / Alan Gowen album 'Two Rainbows Daily'. Just keyboards (piano, e-piano, Minimoogs and Celeste) and Hopper's creative bass playing with all sorts of effects / techniques. So sincere............
That Dom album is my honest wish when Floyd ('69-'71) would continue this psychedelic, celestial route, plenty of intoxicating Farfisa organ and trippy effects. Mellow, slightly unnerving, and overall, beautiful. A very convincing journey, sometimes sweet, sometimes oppressive........., but in the end - MAGNIFICENT !!
I'm thinking of spinning Kajagoogoo - my 'go-to' band when I don't really wish to get too immersed in my own little world............

ALotOfBottle wrote: That was my day. I've got to some new things to listen to. I need a new ear-shock! Kraftwerk was one, but not a lasting one. I'll maybe explore some more jazz-oriented krautrock territories tomorrow.

You'll not hear another Kraftwerk album like that one  Do you already know Embryo?

Tuesday...

I have a few Embryo LP's, none of them quite measure up to anything I've heard in the sub-genre. I guess it depends on your intelligence level, or how much dope you've smoked, or acid youlve dropped........... And then.........I know nothing !!!!!!