Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Opal 1970
Embryo's Rache 1971
Father, Son & Holy Ghosts 1972
Steig Aus 1973
Rocksession 1973
We Keep On 1974
Surfin' 1975
Bad Heads & Bad Cats 1976
Live 1977
Apo Calypso 1978
Reise 1980
Life! 1981
La Blamma Sparozzi 1982
Zack Gluck 1984
Yaruba Dun Dun Orchestra 1985
Africa 1987
Turn Peace 1989
Ibn Battuta 1994
Ni Hau 1996
Istambul-Casablanca 1999

Opal (Ohr 1970)

Recorded: April 1970 Dierks Studio - Stommeln Germany

Album Legnth: 34.18

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song: 'Opal'

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue MASO CD90012

Tracks:

1. Opal 2.41
2. You Don't Know What's Happening 4.48
3. Revolution 4.32
4. Glockenspiel 5.04
5. Got No Time 1.37
6. Call 4.08
7. End Of Soul 4.08
8. font color=aqua>People From Outer Space 7.31
9. You Better Have Some Fun 2.35*
10. Lauft 26.30*

*=Bonus Track

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Overview:

The first album from this legendary Munich-based band is a messy affair, for 'Opal' is a drastic fusion of rock, jazz, blues, soul, and a few psych elements. The end result is much rawer and heavier than their classic era sound as heard on 'Steig Aus' and 'Rocksession'. The music features a tight bass and drum backbone which provides the beat while Hoffman steals the show with his electric-violin and sax playing. One of Embryo's strongest music elements was Edgar Hoffman's electric-violin sound which is so fresh and unique that it is comparable to John Cales electric-oboe work with the Velvets. So influential was this sound that it made its way onto a few Amon Duul II tracks. The album begins with 'Opal' which is a short hard-rocker with vocals displaying a savvy mixture of rock, jazz and avant noise. Another standout track that features vocals is 'Soul Is Dead'. This track is a witty vocal epitaph for the once-great musical genre with the band performing a mixture of soul and jazz. 'Soul Is Dead' contains a screeching electric-violin sound which confirms the death. Other stand-outs include the two instrumentals 'Call', a jazz number featuring organ and sax, and 'People From Outer Space' which shows the band fusing together jazz and psych elements. In addition, the track 'Got No Time' should be mentioned for its proto-ambient tendencies.

This CD release contains two bonus tracks which are from the same period as the album. These tracks include Lothar Meid from Amon Duul II and Holger Trulsch whom later played with Popol Vuh. While interesting as out-takes, I feel that these tracks are lacking the spark which made the album so unique. This was the first Embryo album I bought and it took time to grow on me, so I would advise those who are new to Embryo to check out 'Rocksession' or 'Steig Aus' to get a truer sense of what the group was about and then work your way through their immense catalogue. [4/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums
John Kelly - Guitar, Vocals
Edgar Hoffman - Sax, Electric Violin
Ralph Fischer - Bass
Bettsy Alleh - Vocals
Roberto Detree - Motocelle
Holger Trulsch - Bongo

Father, Son and Holy Ghosts (United Artists 1972)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue MASO CD90012

Tracks:

1. The Special Trip 5.49
2. Nightmares 0.58
3. King Insano 4.40
4. Free 6.14
5. The Sun Song 8.43
6. Marimbaroos 2.56
7. Forgotten Sea 9.11

Overview:

Album Rating: 3 out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums
John Kelly - Guitar, Vocals
Edgar Hoffman - Sax, Electric Violin
Ralph Fischer - Bass

Steig Aus (Brain 1973)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue MASO CD90012

Tracks:

1. Radio Marrakesch 9.46
2. Dreaming Girls 10.28
3. Call 17.21

Overview:

Album Rating: 4 out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums
John Kelly - Guitar, Vocals
Edgar Hoffman - Sax, Electric Violin
Ralph Fischer - Bass

Rocksession (Brain 1973)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue MASO CD90012

Tracks:

1. A Place To Go 4.08
2. Entrances 15.37
3. Warm Canto 10.09
4. Dirge 9.43

Overview:

Album Rating: 5 out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums
John Kelly - Guitar, Vocals
Edgar Hoffman - Sax, Electric Violin
Ralph Fischer - Bass

We Keep On (BASF 1974)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: 1999 CD Reissue Disconforme DISC 1936 CD

Tracks:

1. Abdul Malek 3.15
2. Don't Come Tomorrow 3.48
3. Ehna, Ehna, Abu Lele 8.43
4. Hackbret-Dance 3.54
5. No Place To Go 12.32
6. Flute And Saz 5.57
7. Ticket To India 15.42*
8. Flute, Saz And Marimba 8.40*

*=Bonus Track

Overview:

Album Rating: 5 out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Marimba, Vibes, Mellotron
Roman Bunka - Guitar, Saz, Vocals, Percussion, Bass
Dieter Miekautsch - Piano, Clavinet
Charlie Mariano - Sax, Flute, Nagasuram, Bamboo Flute

Surfin (Buk 1975)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song: 'Side Track

Release Info: 1999 CD Reissue Disconforme DISC 1937 CD

Tracks:

1. You Can Turn Me On 5.11
2. Music Of Today 4.12
3. Secret 6.23
4. Surfin' 3.22
5. New Ridin' 3.44
6. In My Luna Matic 1.28
7. Dance Of Some Broken Glasses 9.01
8. Side Track 6.03

Overview:

I had delayed purchasing 'Surfin' after reading comments noting that the album was lacking in creativity, too commercial, and one of Embryo's worst efforts. It is difficult to find any positive words about the album other than the fact that most folks like 'Dance Of Some Broken Glasses' for its dreamy fusion of Eastern and jazz elements. 'Surfin' is a logical step forward in Embryo's sound as it contains some of the overt Eastern characteristics which the band explored successfully on the 1974 classic 'We Keep On'. However, these Eastern characteristics are toned down and mixed with a catchy fusion of jazz and funk. Hardly lacking in creativity, the end result is an infectious good time, even if a bit "too commercial". Reduced to the trio of Burchard, Bunka, and Mullrich the group enlisted the help of Edgar Hoffman and Charlie Mariano. The album kicks off with the groovy number 'You Can Turn Me On'; one half funk and one half jazz, the track is sure to stick in your mind with its catchy vocals and solid musicianship. 'Music Of Today' continues along the same jazz/funk path and is memorable for its awesome riffs, incredible marimba playing by Burchard, and Eastern-flavored sax solo by Hoffman. 'Secret', a dreamy instrumental, contains stellar sax, violin, and organ passages as well as a calming guitar solo from Bunka. The title track, a jazzy number with great vibes work from Burchard is a bit of a letdown as it doesn't really go anywhere. Following this is the ultra funky 'New Ridin' which features awkward guitar scales that soar and bass lines that groove. The song is most notable for being the only funk song that comes to mind containing a sitar solo and a claptrack; now how is that for creativity! 'In My Luna Matic' is a short instrumental which contains an effective use of ring modulator effects to create an ambient atmosphere. 'Dance Of Some Broken Glasses' is the aforementioned track noted for its dreamy fusion of jazz and eastern influences. In typical creative Embryo fashion, 'Dance' makes use of two odd instruments, a Nagasuram (Indian Oboe) and a Turkish stringed instrument known as a saz. The album closes with 'Side Track' which gets my nomination for the albums best song. 'Side Track' combines pounding drum lines, solid bass riffs, saxophone leads, Roman Bunka's blossoming avant garde vocals, mellotron, and a thunderous closing riff highlighted by Bunka's booming bass and lead guitar to create a memorable piece of music. Obviously, I made a mistake by waiting so long to add this to my collection. I can only hope that there are others that dig the album as much as myself. [5/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums, Vocals, Marimba, Clavinet, Mellotron, Organ, Vibes, Percussion, Piano
Roman Bunka - Guitar, Bass, Clavinet, Vocals, Ring Modulator, Percussion, Sitar, Saz
Uwe Mullrich - Bass
Edgar Hofmann - Sax, Violin
Charlie Mariano - Sax, Flute, Nagasuram

Bad Heads and Bad Cats (April 1976)

Recorded: Autumn 1975 Dierks Studio - Stommeln Germany

Album Legnth: 42:52

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song: 'Bad Heads'

Release Info: 1999 CD Reissue DISC 1032 CD

Tracks:

1. Layed Back 5.32
2. Nina Kupenda 12.06
3. Bad Heads 4.02
4. Road Song 6.10
5. After The Rain 6.14
6. Klondyke-Netti 6.25
7. Tag X 1.36
8. Human Contact 16.56*

*=Bonus Track

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Overview:

'Bad Heads and Bad Cats' marks Embryo's first release on April Records, an independent label which the group founded along with members of Missus Beastly, Checkpoint Charlie, Ton Steine Scherben, and Sparifankal. The label was started with the intent of allowing the individual bands to record creative music independently and without the constant interference of a major record company. The music here, while staying somewhat true to the groups avant garde nature, is a combination of funky jazz rock and ethnic influences. Embryo was now led by the duo of Burchard and Bunka, resulting in longtime member Edgar Hoffman's demotion to guest. 'Bad Heads' leads off with 'Layed Back', an average jazz rocker with a funky beat. Things pick up with 'Nina Kupenda', a 12-minute excursion into funky jazz tainted with ethnic percussion containing numerous solo sections. Following this is 'Bad Heads', an off the wall jazz rocker with a psychedelic flair. This track features some unique guitar work, a great ethnic percussion solo and a nice vocal performance from Maria Archer. 'Road Song' returns to a light jazz rock sound comparable to 'Layed Back', however, 'Road Song' is highlighted by simultaneous guitar and keyboard solos. 'After The Rain' is a fast paced jazzy instrumental featuring solid bass playing underneath catchy piano and flute solos. This is followed by the instrumental 'Klondyke-Netti'. Driven by a moody bass and awkward minimalist electronic sounds, 'Klondyke' sounds like a predecessor to the quirky electronic instrumentals heard on Eno's 'Music For Film Vol. 1'. Finally, the album closes with the short experimental 'Tag X'. As a bonus, the CD reissue contains the 17-minute 'Human Contact', a free flowing jazz number with Eastern influenced saxophone and organ sections. [3/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Percussion, Vibes, Vocals
Uwe Mullrich - Bass
Dieter Miekautsch - Keyboards
Roman Bunka - Vocals, Guitar
Charlie Mariano - Saxophone, Flute
Edgar Hoffman - Saxophone, Flute
Maria Archer - Vocals, Percussion

Live (April 1977)

Recorded:

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: 1977 LP Release April 0003

Tracks:

1. Bamboo Railways 5.06
2. You Can Turn Me On 13.13
3. Tiflis 5.58
4. Roadsong 3.35
5. After The Rain 3.25
6. Bambule 3.50
7. No More Love 4.35
8. Chi Do Ima 1.19
9. The Orange Man 7.09

Overview:

Album Rating: out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Drums, Vocals, Marimba, Clavinet, Mellotron, Organ, Vibes, Percussion, Piano
Roman Bunka - Guitar, Bass, Clavinet, Vocals, Ring Modulator, Percussion, Sitar, Saz
Uwe Mullrich - Bass
Edgar Hofmann - Sax, Violin
Charlie Mariano - Sax, Flute, Nagasuram

Apo Calypso (April 1978)

Recorded: June 1977 Sunrise Studios - Kirchberg Switzerland

Album Legnth:

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song: 'Amnesty Total'

Release Info: 1999 CD Reissue DISC 1033 CD

Tracks:

1. Break Into Pieces 4.42
2. Endless Feeling 7.17
3. Together 5.38
4. Knast Funk 5.55
5. Amnesty Total 9.07
6. Getalongwithasong 14.11
7. Muhldorfsong 6.21*
8. Prisioneri Politici 4.45*

*=Bonus Track

Overview:

Album Rating: 5 out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Christian Burchard - Percussion, Vibes, Organ, Drums, Vocals
Roman Bunka - Vocals, Guitar, Oud, Veena
Michael Wehmeyer - Keyboards
Uwe Mullrich - Bass
Butze Fischer - Drums, Percussion
Shoba Gurtu - Vocals, Tamboura
Trilok Gurtu - Tabta
Edgar Hoffman - Flute
Burckard Schmiedl - Synthesizer