ET CETERA

ET CETERA were a German band led by keyboardist Wolfgang Dauner. An excellent lineup here on this their debut with Braceful on drums, Weber on bass and cello, Schwab on guitar and ethnic instruments and another percussionist. They released one more studio album called "Knirsch" which is an incredible album and more in the Jazz/ Fusion realm. "Knirsch" has quite a bit different lineup than the debut but it's no less impressive. The debut here is more Krautrock, experimental and ethnic sounding as in Indian/ Arabian. For my tastes "Knirsch" blows this one away.

"Thursday Morning Sunrise" starts us off in the right direction with plenty of distortion and fuzz as percussion joins in. Experimental sounding cello and synths follow and there's no melody here. A beat with bass creates a rhythm before 4 1/2 minutes then it calms right down by 6 minutes. An ethnic instrument joins in as well then that nasty fuzz returns to end it. "Lady Blue" is another experimental track that opens with piano melodies briefly as spoken words take over with picked guitar. Some female backing vocals come and go along with horns. Not a fan.

"Mellodrama No.2 A" opens with strummed guitar, drums, bass and spacey sounds. There is a melody this time and the focus is on the strummed guitar after 3 minutes. "Raga" is the longest track at over 16 minutes. This one is ethnic all the way as it trips along. The drums are more aggressive around 8 minutes then it settles right down a minute later. Eventually percussion sounds lead the way. It starts to build again after 13 minutes then avant keys take over a minute later. Another calm after 15 minutes to the end. "Milkstreets" is the experimental closer.

I have the Longhair reissue and I like all the pictures and notes they've provided. This one just didn't click with me at all while the followup did nothing but click with me. Krautrock fans need to check this one out.