KOLLEKTIV

In the liner notes it says "Acclaimed by Progressive and Krautrock fans and critics alike, it showed a different, more innovative style of playing contemporary German rock music and was honoured with a nomination for the German Schallplattenpreis.They produced an incomparable, unmistakeable sound with echoes of ORGANISATION and early KRAFTWERK:spacey but melodic, elevated yet rocking, innovative : progressive in the best sense, consequent in the realisation of intent, forging new musical territory without denying it's roots". In fact 2 members of KOLLEKTIV played in a band with Ralf Hutten before he formed ORGANISATION. One being bass player Jogi Karpenkiel who would leave KOLLEKTIV in 1975 to join GURU GURU. Early influences for this band were KING CRIMSON and Frank Zappa. The first 3 tracks on this disc have a rather experimental and improvised feeling to them, while the side long suite "Gages" has more structure to it along with lots of Fripp-like guitar.

"Rambo Zambo" opens with spacey flute sounds that echo, then they are joined 1 1/2 minutes in by the drums with a cool rhythm. The guitar,bass and flute stand out as it gets pretty intense. Great sound ! The guitar after 5 1/2 minutes is more prominant. The flute returns before 9 minutes. "Baldrain" also has a spacey intro and is a very atmospheric piece. Actually Jurgen plays a self-made instrument with 56 strings, built from a zither and parts of a guitar. Some dissonant sax 3 1/2 minutes in as drums come in and bass as we start to get a melody(although it's still spacey). "Forsterlied" is a freaky tune with spoken words that are followed each time with an outburst of sound. This happens over and over in this 1:50 track.

"Gageg" is a 20 minute tune divided into 3 parts. It's very pastoral to start with flute leading the way gently with other gentle sounds coming and going. I like before 3 minutes the way the flute melodies are copied by the guitar. This is dreamy, laid back music.The guitar starts to lay down some angular melodies. Awesome sound. I had this song on when we were pulling into the Wal-Mart parking lot. My youngest daughter needed some school supplies, and it was just the two of us and our dog. Anyway we park and i'm waiting for her to get out but she's looking straight ahead like she's intoxicated by the hypnotising sounds. I didn't say anything for a couple of minutes, then when I did she said "Oh yeah, lets go". Funny. The flute stops after 5 minutes as the bass, guitar and drums create wonder. The flute is back before 7 minutes. The tempo picks up 9 minutes in and becomes jazzy. The guitar then starts to rip it up. The bass and sax shine as well. This section ends 12 1/2 minutes in although the bass continues. Angular guitar melodies arrive and drums. Amazing sound ! The sax takes over for the guitar 14 1/2 minutes in then the guitar returns after 17 minutes with more angular melodies. Nice.

4.5 stars and a must have for all you Krautrock fans out there.