Record Reviews

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ MILD MANIAC MOOSICUS 1310 (Barcode: 885513131027) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1977 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the fifth album by the legendary German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, originally released on the MPSFind albums on this label label in 1974 (it was Kriegel’s fourth album for the label). The album was recorded by a quartet called SpectrumFind albums by this artist, same as the title of Kriegel’s debut album for MPS, which also included keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist, with percussionist Peter GigerFind albums by this artist appearing as a guest. The album presents six original compositions, five by Kriegel and one co-composed by the quartet members. This new remastered edition adds five bonus tracks recorded three years later (1977), all recorded live. One is a TV appearance and the rest are from a concert performance by the Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, Kriegel’s group active at that time. The music is a superb example both of Kriegel’s unique genius as a player and composer and the European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which was developing rapidly at the time, on both sides of the Iron Curtain, with Germany as one of its focal points. Kriegel found ideal partners in this wonderful team of German musicians, although his ensembles over the years included often multinational collaborations. The compositions are quite complex and multilayered, requiring very attentive listening in order to be fully appreciated. Kriegel switches between acoustic and electric guitars with ease and elegance, as expected from a true Master and his idiosyncratic stylistic is immediately recognizable to those familiar with his recordings. There is an aura of playfulness and mystique in this music, which makes it completely distinctive from everything that was being done at the time. Kriegel’s tragically premature death in 2003 put an end to his wonderful career as musician and later author and illustrator, but his archives hold some incredible unreleased treasures, like the bonus material on this album (which was previously released on LP), which is being released on the MoosicusFind albums on this label label, which brings great joy of his many followers. Overall this is a superb piece of music, which deserves to be remembered and is an immensely important document of the European Jazz-Rock Fusion legacy, which of course deserves an honorable place in any serious record collection. A must!

Updated: 12/09/2021Posted: 12/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend