KRAAN — Kraan (review)

Album · 1972 · Jazz Related Rock

3.5/5 · 2011-04-26
Sean Trane

Kraan holds a special place in German rock history and they are a tough choice between Jazz-rock and Krautrock, as they might be the perfect link between those distinct styles. When I talk of Krautrock, understand Amon Duul II or Guru Guru (rather than Kraftwerk of Neu!) with a typical raw and rough power that suited those afore-mentioned groups so well but also having a slight cosmic touch when needed and unashamedly-talented grooves. Must guess that Stuttgart-based Kraan might have given a good try at the Amon Duul tribe but in a definitely more percussive, brassier and less psychedelic manner. (OK?)

Only five tracks on this debut album, and four of them leaving plenty of room for great interplay between good musician out to do interesting music for just the sake of…. music! Needless to say that the almost mandatory-of-that-era drum solo also gets its share of minutes, but some great jazzed-up jam-filled tracks that rocks you quite enough to just ask for your next dose more-of-the-same. (you following me so far?)

Kraan Arabia is more starting on a Caribbean-African beats to build subtly into Moroccan-type ambiances to a slightly more sax-led raga along a long ROCKY way taking advantage of taking all the detours they wish or see fit. (you still with me?) And one can also be slightly aware that this music as pleasant and exhilarating as it may be, is nothing that has not been done afterwards, but also maybe what was just happening around those superb early-70’s that no progheads can deny loving. But you might think that by this time some of that same type of MANY groups of that era. (OK, so far?) The least we can say is that Kraan was hardly the only group doing this type of, but this is in

Of course you might guess that the almost 19 minute- centrepiece Head will trip right through your avid ears, sometimes fulfilling superbly to orgiastic peaks, but never to orgasmic heights either. (where are you? ) But they do get close at times if you are enjoying an occasional Jamaican cigarillo, and no-one around to even know you still exist because you isolated yourself from the rest of the planet you live on. Yes, they do get close to it sometimes, but I am not sure the record company’s financial director was listening to the discs his record label (the legendary Spiegelei which could eventually be compared to Dawn label in the UK) was putting out. But the group probably did record one short track to tell him it was a potential hit. (you sure you are with me?)

I cannot picture this kind of record with one or two less interesting moments (lengths?) Because not every musical detour always lead to the summit or across the border, but may just you back to where you came from. (Oh!!! Over Here!! Yes).

I just bought the CD version and it has almost the same album as bonus track but in a demo state, but from the quality of the demo would also show you why these guys were signed-up and had a consequent career that almost went to the 90’s. (OK, now?) But however talented they are, the utmost Kraan-partisan must be careful not to think that they are really adventurous, all that particularly groundbreaking. Just on a jam-level that a proghead loves, anyway!!!! (see when you want to? ;-) And to think this is only a debut and there are a few more to come, so much more ecstatic times ahead, that you just settle back into your armchair in the sun-drenched launchpad to paradise right next to your pool, and roll another goodie. (was that so difficult? ;-(

So whether you are into music or just plain music, might just make the difference after reading these utterances. Run for it!!! (you just got there !-)