Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Family Of Percussion 1975

Family Of Percussion (Private 1975)

Album Legnth: ___

Recorded: Summer 1975 Biton Studios - Frankfurt, Germany

Genre: Avant Garde/Percussion

Best Song: 'Maya's Traum'

Release Info: 1979 LP Release Astral Explorer AE 5010

Tracks:

1. Mistral 4.16
2. Ora Cinci 2.57
3. Family Of Percussion 5.05
4. Maya's Traum 3.46
5. Campanico 2.17
6. Curvas Peligrosas 3.35
7. Patanaxy 5.01
8. Hymn For Her 3.59
9. Messing-Muus 4.20
10. Inder-Mezzo 1.31
11. A Weng Zweng 2.42
12. Poliglotas Ritmicos 2.42

Overview:

Peter Giger recorded and released 'Family Of Percussion', his first solo album, in 1975 on his private label Nagara. Giger is best known to krautrock fans for having been the percussionist in Dzyan. In addition to Dzyan he also found time to perform with well known German jazz musicians like Volker Kriegel, Albert Mangelsdorff and Eberhard Weber. Sometime after the release of this album, Giger created a loose percussion ensemble also known as 'Family Of Percussion' which hosted over 50 percussionists over the years. Giger's 1975 solo LP is essentially a performance piece consisting of over 40 different percussion instruments! Each track has its own unique feel and atmosphere. Musically speaking, 'Family Of Percussion' is a mixture of the various influences which came to define Giger's unique vision: African, South American and jazz. Giger had experimented with some of these elements while working with Dzyan. Most notably the tracks, 'Kabisrain', 'Back To Where We Come From', and 'For Earthly Thinking' all contain elements of African percussion. In my opinion 'Family Of Percussion' has to be heard to be appreciated. Most folks are easily frightened when it comes to percussion albums and rightfully so as so many of them are theory based and lack creativity. Giger manages to creatively blend his various influences resulting in a sound which transcends the boundaries of traditional percussion records. As far as I know, the album is long out of print and has never been reissued on CD. I was lucky to find an unopened 1979 Astral Explorer LP reissue on Ebay for $30. I have seen the album a few other times as well, so with a little patience, collectors should be able to track down the vinyl release. [3/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Peter Giger - Percussion instruments including:
Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Drum Set, Tbilat, Toms, Spanish Goatbells, Chinese Tom, Cup Cymbals, Talking Drum, Dholak, Balafon, Steel Drum, Claves, Temple Blocks, Ogororos, Sheng, Tam-Tams, Rattles, Clappers, Scrapers, Wind Chimes, Bendir, Bells, Reco-Reco, Bass Marimba, Crotales, Waldteufel, Large Darabukka, Anklungs, Jingle Bells, Maracas, Splash Cymbals, Camelbell-Tree, Hammer, Gongs, Dayans, Flexatone, Timbales, Hand Drum, Triangle, Agogo, Bamboo Shaker, Brasilian Whistles