Cloud Cuckooland

To my ears, Finders Keepers can do no wrong -- and this is one of their catalog’s highlights: a twenty-track collection pulled from the pre-1974 archives of one of Germany’s longest running Krautrock indie labels, Kuckuck. Late 60s and early 70s Kuckuck meant prog -- lots of prog -- and this compilation presents an eclectic set of the proggier side of early Kosmiche and Krautrock. My personal favorites on this record turned out to be by ex-pat Sam Spence, who brought with him his Moog synth and produced the spaciest jams on record here... some really great early electronic experiments. Track 13 -- Spence’s “World as One” -- is a special highlight, with sparkling choir vocals atop a super-tasty Moog and drums jam. The comp spans a dozen different moods and tempos, but are tied together but the zany yet grave sort of aesthetic that fans of Can, Faust, Gong, and the like should love. Recommended. Check 13, 4, 20, 10, or 18.

01. cinematic string arrangement w/ German voiceover -- great set opener (1:58)
02. straightahead prog jam (4:13)
03. paranoid pedal bass into funky organ jam w/ Jim Morrison-y vox (5:55)
04. ** hard drums, FAT Moog bassline/synthwork, great groove (3:08)
05. a weird one - fades in w/ rock groove, cuts to 3min of random sfx (4:00)
06. classic rock kinda vibe -- but great vocals (5:01)
07. trippy sound effects over a steady clanging (1:26)
08. acoustic guitar with the occasional “Eastern” twang (2:41)
09. congas + creepy synths + Neu-like distorted droning guitar line (4:28)
10. * amazing synth work, early 70s electro-kitsch at its finest (1:48)
11. “Scarborough Fair”-type folksy-ness (1:48)
12. bluesy prog … extended guitar solos (6:00)
13. ** slow, moody Moog jam … plus amazing 60s-ish choir vox (3:47)
14. tinkling synth, mostly ambient (2:48)
15. great prog-/Kraut-rock groove (5:19)
16. shades of Can, nice vibes and sax (2:28)
17. pulseless drone-y woodwinds and strings (1:42)
18. * episodic, multi-sectioned long cut... even more Can-like (8:20)
19. upbeat, almost Brit-rock-y at moments (3:46)
20. ** “classical”-style singing over slow, beautiful organ and strings arrangement (2:57)