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Momentum
This came out of left field and was a welcome surprise. A new studio album from Agitation Free! Four of the original members are on board with some guests as well. Don't expect Malesch. Its very much a different sound from fifty years ago BUT what they have created is clearly progressive. Expect long instrumental tracks with a more contemporary feel and yet there is some great playing here on display. I'm particularly impressed by Lutz "Lüül" Ulbrich's guitar work. I liked it 50 years ago and I like it now. So if you approach this album with a different mindset I think you will be very pleased. Highly recommended.
"The Krautrock legend has been resurrected 50 years after their impressive 1972 debut album “Malesch”. Joining the band are the four original members Lutz “Lüül” Graf-Ulbrich (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo), Michael Hoenig (keyboards, synthesizer, electronic percussion), Gustl Lütjens (†2017, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Burghard Rausch (drums, electronic percussion) as well as newcomer Daniel Cordes (bass, synthesizer). Also joining as guests: Peter Michael Hamel (santoor) and Benjamin Schwenen (lead guitar).
The pioneers of experimental German rock music present “Momentum”, their first studio album since 1999. Agitation Free create cinematic soundscapes in an instrumental time machine and they take the listeners on an impressive musical journey. Otherworldly sounds, pulsating rhythms, grandiose guitar riffs, hypnotic sequencers and driving basses create an amazing, cinematic soundscape – almost like a time machine connecting past and future. “Momentum” is an exciting album from Agitation Free. It shows that they are still one of the most innovative bands in the German music scene.
Agitation Free was one of the most innovative German Krautrock bands from 1967 to 1974 with an international reputation. They combined improvised instrumental rock, classical avant-garde and elements of “world music” before that word became a household word. In 1972 they were the first rock band to tour Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece, and were part of the cultural program for the Olympic Games in Munich. They originally released two albums: the classic “Malesch” (1972), inspired by their oriental travels, and “2nd” (1973), which was much jazzier, rockier and more electronic.
After the band stopped touring and some members began their solo careers, the following years led to several CD releases of material that at the time initially seemed too adventurous or “off” for commercial release. Four more CDs of restored live and studio recordings appeared over the following years. These include the energetic live recordings from France and Cologne: the very experimental Looping IV on “Last”(1976) and the more relaxed “River Of Return” (1999).
Then in 2011 “Shibuya Nights” was released, a spectacular live recording of three concerts in Tokyo in 2007, which perfectly captures the spirit of the early years of this band."