KOLLEKTIV

Kollektiv is a German kraut rock band with roots going back to the mid 60's. Their early history is tied-up with that of Kraftwerk, back when that band was still called Organisation. Two of Kollektiv's members featured in an early Organisation line-up. The band brings free instrumental Kraut improvisations with jazz and avant leanings.

The Kraftwerk/Organisation roots are still very evident on the first two tracks. Rambo Zambo is an entrancing improvisation with psych flutes and steadily rocking drums much like Kraftwerk's Ruckzuck. Also the first half of Baldrian brings back the droning cosmic experimentations of Kraftwerk. The second half of the track takes a more melodic and bluesy direction, reminiscent of Floyd's early soundtrack work. Both tracks may not be the most original Kraut material but they are both equally outstanding.

After a bit of Kraut chaos with silly Guru Guru-like vocals and lots of noise, the majestic 20 minute Gageg forms the heart of the original album. Again early Floyd blues and early Kraftwerk flutes come to mind but the guitar adds a King Crimson touch, almost like Fripp is doing the sustained guitar improvisations here. The excellent distorted saxophone add a more prominent jazzy flavor.

The 2007 CD reissue adds four live tracks that show the band in full-on jazz-rock-kraut mode, reminding of Soft Machine and Embryo. The sound quality of these tracks is slightly less then the perfectly produced sound of the CD, but it sure is more then good enough to follow all the individual instruments and to feel the power of these performances.

Due to its rather late release date, Kollektiv isn't an essential or historically important Kraut album but it sure is a superb one that comes highly recommended if you want to explore the jazzy/avant side of Krautrock. 4.5 stars