Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Randy Pie 1973
Highway Driver 1974
Kitsch 1975
England England 1976
Fast Forward 1977

(Polydor 1974)

Album Legnth: 39:08

Recorded: August/September 1974 - Studio Maschen

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Best Song: 'Winter Song'

Release Info: 1974 Polydor LP 2416230

Tracks:

1. Microfilm 4.03
2. Super Sid 7.23
3. Highway Driver 3.57
4. Winter Song 5.45
5. It's A (Civilized) World 6.31
6. Sophisticated 4.34
7. Time Machine 7.55

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Overview:

Randy Pie evolved out of the 60's German beat group The Rattles. Highway Driver, their second album, is somewhat unique for a German band. The sound is an ultra funky jazz rock with strings and brass and is quite unlike anything else in my krautrock collection. The band features Jochen Peterson from the early jazz/rock group Ikarus and Jean-Jaques Kravetz from Frumpy. Much of the music on the album has that retro seventies funk-soul television-theme-song sound similar in style to David Bowie's track '1984' while a few of the tracks have a soft jazz rock feel similar to Steely Dan. The first song, 'Microfilm', heavily rooted in the 70's theme song approach, is a funk tour de force dominated by strong brass and string melody lines. The super funky 'Super Sid' is carried along by an incredible bass line while the vocal harmonies and brass guide the listener through the chorus. The title track is a rather uninteresting track containing a vocal inflection quite similar to Deep Purple's "Highway Star". 'Winter Song' is a slower track showcasing Peterson's talented flute work and a nice string arrangement. Perhaps the jazziest track on the album, 'It's A Civilized World' contains a great piano solo and a complex progressive riff. Staying true to form the album ends with 'Sophisticated' and 'Time Machine' with the latter track being the stronger of the two. Although the album contains a few decent tracks, I feel that it is destined not to catch on with most kraut fans; however, the jazz rock afficionados amongst you might enjoy this album. [2/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Jochen Peterson - Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals
Jean Jacques Kravetz - Keyboards
Bernd Wippich - Guitar, Vocals
Werner Becker - Keyboards, Vocals
Manfred Thiers - Bass, Vocals
Dicky Tarrach - Drums