While stumbling recently through the backlog of posts on the Krautrockteam blog, I found this ultra-rare clip [mpg file, 31MB] of the percussion-heavy, proto-Kraftwerk band Organisation, playing an early rendition of "Ruckzuck," a song that would become the frontispiece for the first, self-titled Kraftwerk album.
After making the great Tone Float album with Organisation, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider-Esleben of course formed Kraftwerk, while the remaining members regrouped as Ibliss, releasing the wonderful Supernova album before disbanding. Download the Ibliss album (in 2 parts) from the Krautrockteam archive here (you'll need to scroll down to about mid-page.)
Florian Schneider-Esleben can be seen here playing flute (and sporting a t-shirt with his own face on it, curiously enough.) I believe Ralf Hütter is also present on electric piano, though only his hands are seen. The psychedelic color-organ backdrop and images of the hippie crowd help to make this video the charming Euro-rock timepiece that it is.
(Viewing suggestion: watch the clip in a player where the screen size can be reduced slightly, as the clip is quite pixelated when viewed at full size.)
As an added Deutsche bonus, I also found the Knusperkeks e.p. from 1983 available for download on the Brotbeutel blog. This is an über-rarity from the ZickZack catalog, a homemade-sounding, solo-female minimal-pop effort very much in the NDW/early Rough Trade spirit.
Enjoy!
I recently found a copy of "The Best of Kraftwerk" (which, oddly enough, came out in 1975). A friend and I have been debating ever since whether the flutes were real or synthesized. I win! Thanks!
P.S. Germans shouldn't be allowed to wear dashikis.
Posted by: james | April 26, 2007 at 10:00 AM