Elektronische Musik 2: Experimental German 1971-83

Some years ago, I read a short review in Uncut magazine about this collection of "experimental German rock and electronic musik" and saved the writeup. After occasional searches in Amazon, my patience was rewarded when I found not only volume one, but volume two. The CDs have been in regular rotation since receiving them. I really had no clue as to what to expect and will say that if you're thinking these are only computer noises, bits and bytes, ones and zeroes, you will be in for a pleasant surprise. Yes, it's music meets technology, but so much more. These artists did not operate in a vacuum; rather, they incorporated influences from other music, other lands. The results are that it is darn near impossible for me to explain to friends what they are about to listen to. So I just shut up and play the hits, so to speak.

I bought this when it came out, on the strength of the amazing first compilation.I was not disappointed. This type of music is very difficult to navigate for newbies, and these CDs are fabulous. The quality of the tracks is peerless, and the packaging is always top notch.Currently commanding absurd prices across the internet- anything from £20-150. I amReliably informed by the creators thatIt’s due an Autumn 2021 re release. It’s worth waiting for.......

Another excellent compilation. Can't wait for a volume three! Its always a pleasue to hear non-mainstream recordings it goes to show that thers more to German electronic music than Kraftwerk! Some more Michael Bundt next time perhaps?

Obviously the best tunes were cherry-picked for volume 1, but this selection is very nearly as good. Anybody who enjoyed the volume 1 is going to love this.

The earlier review from RJS pretty much sums everything up - so this is really just a further endorsement. This is an exceptional compilation even by the high standards Soul Jazz have established for themselves over the years.It's probably even better than the original instalment from a year or two back, by virtue of an even more eclectic range of music. Almost all of the big names are present and correct - the exception, as before, being Kraftwerk, but honestly, if you're interested in this at all, you've already got all the Kraftwerk you need. Look on this one as the gateway to even more fantastic music, though self-styled hipsters should be warned that amidst all the hardcore freakouts and zu-cool-fur-die-Schule Neue Deutsche Welle antics there's a few tracks that are too proggy and folky to sit well with the Hoxton bonnet. The standout is probably Agitation Free's "You Play For Us Today", which is brilliantly foreboding and intense. Agitation Free are undeservedly neglected (possibly because they're too jazzy to appeal to Julian Cope and thus fell through the net for canonisation in "Krautrocksampler") but they were a superb band and let's hope this set re-establishes them, and many others, for the fantastic work they did. It's nice to see love for the outstanding meditative music of Sergius Golowin too (Golowin was also a baker of exceedingly good cakes, though that's another matter entirely).Please note that the "sumptuous 48 page book" is mostly photos and very large text. It does give you all the basic info you'd want on the artists, but it's quite hard to follow as the musicians are discussed in a totally random order, neither alphabetical not following the track order. A minor grumble, though. This is not merely worthy but demanding of your love and attention at the soonest possible opportunity.

What a fantastic compilation. It's a lot of fun. The one thing I didn't know was this album is actually part of a double DOUBLE album; there's a 2xLP called Record A and another called Record B. I didn't know this when I ordered it. The cover photo used on this site is a little deceiving as it shows the cover for Record A and the back shot is of Record B. I received Record B from Amazon and have now tracked down Record A on Discogs (for not nearly as kind a price). Perhaps Amazon has Record A's kicking around but there's no one to ask so ordering might be a bit of a crap shoot. Still -- it's an awesome listen.