German electronic music label Bureau B has announced Krautrock Eruption, a new book and accompanying album collection that they say offer an introduction to German Electronic music from 1970-1980.
The 160 page book, ? Krautrock Eruption: An alternative history of German underground in the 60s and 70s, is authored by Berliner Wolfgang Seidel, a member of Conrad Schnitzler’s band Eruption and co-founder of Ton Steine Scherben.
The album, available on LP / CD / digital, includes a 12-page booklet and highlights 12 tracks from the many titles included in the book.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“In this book, readers will find an annotated discography of fifty albums. Out of these fifty, there is an even narrower selection of tracks being presented from twelve albums on this compilation. Lists and compilation track listings inevitably see tracks missing and being left out. The compilation was produced in cooperation with the label Bureau B and therefore has a partial focus on some of the label’s back catalogue. That said, the list is meant to inspire repeated or further listening, to spark discussions and – potentially – to provoke new lists, perhaps your own! It’s all part of the fun. Music is made for enjoyment in the first and for friendly debate in the second place, after all.
Artists on the album compilation include: Conrad Schnitzler, Faust, Eno/Moebius/Roedelius, ? Harald Grosskopf, Cluster, Moebius & Plank, Roedelius, Pyrolator, Kluster, Günter Schickert ad Asmus Tietchens”
Compilation artist/Track listing
A1 Conrad Schnitzler – Ballet Statique
A2 Faust – I’ve Heard That One Before/Watch Your Step
A3 Eno Moebius Roedelius – Foreign Affairs
A4 Harald Grosskopf – Emphasis
A5 Cluster – 21:32 (bureau b edit)
A6 Moebius & Plank – Rastakraut Pasta
B1 Roedelius – Glaubersalz
B2 Pyrolator – Minimal Tape 3/7.2
B3 Riechmann – Himmelblau (bureau b edit)
B4 Kluster – Kluster 2 (Electric Music) (bureau b edit)
B5 Günter Schickert – Apricot Brandy II (bureau b edit)
B6 Asmus Tietchens – Falter-Lamento
?
?Seidel’s book features many historical photographs, and paints a vivid picture of the old Federal Republic of Germany, with all of its contradictions and struggles. Seidel recounts the squats, demos and first concerts of bands such as Cluster, Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel. He also discusses the influence of minimal music composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass, the origins of many Krautrock musicians in jazz and the role of the synthesizer.
?
Krautrock Eruption:
Pricing and Availability:
Krautrock Explosion is scheduled for release in March 2025, priced at 20,00 €.
Calling German electronic music Krautrock is like calling Italo Disco Woprock. Making something cute does not make it dignified.
It seems so, however, every German person I’ve asked about this says they don’t mind, especially since they use the word themselves in this context.
I just call it German electronic music.
Lighten up bro!
Not all Krautrock is electronic.
or even music for that matter.
I like to call it “Berlin style.” That term leans towards Tangerine Dream sequencing a little, but its a fair umbrella. That’s where Bowie and Eno began to learn about the new tools. I have albums by every artist on that list. They were among the very first people I heard who used synthesizers in a natural manner. I learned a lot about their inherent potential. The best lessons of all have simply been that less often really is more and that tone color is a small world of its own. Roedelius is one of my biggest heroes.
Where’s CAN in all of this?
KraftwerK?