Sunday, November 9, 2008

Ash Ra Tempel - "Seven Up" 1973

Sorry to have been away for so long. No excuse, really, except that I have felt overwhelmed by work. I'm moving again this month and next month, so things will probably continue to be sporadic around here. Sorry, but keep checking back! Here's a krautrock masterpiece to check out for now:

Ash Ra Tempel & Timothy Leary - Seven Up
Kosmische Musik, 1973


















Recorded in Switzerland (Leary would have had problems with the law if he'd been caught in the band's native Germany) in 1972 with Timothy Leary doing his thing to help the sounds get further out there than anyone dreamed possible... Some people think this was quite detrimental for the album, but let's just say that the results were quite interesting and this is an engrossing kosmische krautrock experience. As usual the two sides of the LP contrast in the intensity of the music, one side being more "conventional" psych rock.

This was the first Ash Ra Tempel album that I heard, and while many people don't recommend it as a starting point, it worked quite well for me... so I'm recommending it to you.

Some details:
Performed by: Timothy Leary, Brian Barritt, Liz Elliot, Bettina Hohls (voices), Michael Duwe (voice, flute), Portia Nkomo (voice dubbed during the mix), Manuel Göttsching (guitar, electronics), Hartmut Enke (bass, guitar, electronics), Steve Schroeder (organ, electronics), Dietmar Burmeister (drums), Tommy Engel (drums dubbed during the mix), Klaus D. Mueller (tambourine), Dieter Dierks (synthesizer dubbed during the mix)
Tracks:
ASpace15:55

a. Downtown

b. Power Drive

c. Right Hand Lover

d. Velvet Genes
BTime21:37

a. Timeship

b. Neuron

c. She



FILL YOUR EARS