THE X-TAPES

German Kraut-Rockers found in 1968 in Essen,initially as Virgin Blues Dream, and led by multi-instrumentalist Rolf Tenkler.The band had a good live activity,performing constantly and reaching some fame outside the cityborders.Unfortunately they never got a proper LP release and the band's first phase had to end in 1972.However archival recordings from the 1968-1972 era were saved and released in 2000 by Rolf Tenkler in limited CD copies under the name ''The X-Tapes''.

This is an album full of Psychedelic moods and Hard-Kraut Rock sounds from the start to the very end.The sound of the recordings is on a decent level considering the circumstances but the level of musicianship is rather amateur with a few surprises.For example the 20-min. instrumental ''Der Blaue Kapuzinermönch'' contains some good Hard Rock beats and interesting breaks with smooth electric piano but the ideas have been really stretched out to make the track close to a jamming session than a regular composition.Or the 12-min. ''The well'' has again a very good jazzy middle section but brutally mixed with groovy Hard-Kraut Rock,not to mention the unbearable vocals.Another typical track of the overall style is ''Rainy day In June''.The superb guitar work with the complex playing at the start and end of the track is spoiled by the vocal-based middle section,the band should have really stayed in an instrumental mood.The shorter tracks follow a more safe path.''Evening star'' is a typical Psychedelic Rock track with decent vocals this time,not bad but not great either.''El dorado'' is the minor exception.A great number with dominant clavinet and fantastic guitars,even the vocal lines are interesting despite the mediocre accent.''The galant night'' has a strong jazzy edge with a steady rhythm and guitars and keyboards solong till the very end.''I am one of those'' is another Psychedelic-Kraut Rock performance of the band with interesting guitars and strong bass lines but horrible vocals again.

The album is still a very rare CD re-issue due to its limited distribution,but again it would unfair to become a hunter in order to purchase it.''The X-Tapes'' is a good document of the early Kraut-Rock movement with a few good ideas here and there but still far from being an essential item in your collection.Only headed to Hard or Kraut-Rock lovers...2.5 stars.