Deutsche Elektronische Musik

SOUL JAZZ, 2013

You say: “The Deutsche Elektronische Musik series are my favourites. Outstanding and often featuring little-known bands.” Dr Peter Starie, via Twitter

Of all esoteric genres, it’s hard to think of one documented and revisited as often as the kosmische music of ’70s Germany – Krautrock, in perhaps problematic shorthand. Trust Soul Jazz, though, to find a new spin. The four volumes of Deutsche Elektronische Musik build up to a pretty definitive catalogue of a scene that, beyond big hitters like Faust, Popol Vuh and Neu!, can be hard to navigate. As is the label’s way, a sense of groove predominates, though it goes beyond motorik; Ibliss’s flutefunk High Life is a real find; Can’s goofy I Want More takes its rightful place among the hits.