Kraan Live

After being away from the scene for many years, German progressive rock band Kraan have returned with this fantastic live album, covering many of the classic tracks that were fan favorites back in the 70's. The perennial line-up of Hellmut Hattler on bass/vocals, Peter Wolbrandt on guitars/vocals, Ingo Bischoff on keyboards, and Jan Pride on drums are all here, and display all the tight interplay and rhythmic ferocity that they were famous for decades ago.

Next to Embryo, Kraan are among those German groups who include psychedelic, sometimes ethnic elements to their distinctive, innovative jazz rock. At the beginning of their career, started in 1970, Kraan free form jazz rock was really into jam sessions, totally improvised, mainly instrumental (featuring sax sections and many guitar/bass solos). Their self title album was experimented with ethnic, psychedelic/acid tastes and discreet electronic manipulations. Since their debut album and with their two following "Wintrup", "Andy Nogger" the band has demonstrated with interest, dynamism and humour how can we make fusion/jazz with addition of influences from everywhere. Really imaginative, inspired and technical these albums provide something new and amazing: an absolute trippy ethnic jazz rock. This particular facet of the Kraan music culminates with their masterwork "Live" (1975)…

Revisited Records has been remastering and reissuing some of the Kraan catalog, and this 1988 live set from one of the premier German progressive fusion bands gets the royal treatment. Live 88 was recorded after the band had disbanded then got back together again, so overall this period was not looked at by the fans as one of Kraan's best, but there is some spirited and quality grooves happening here. This reissue sounds fantastic, the players are inspired, the crowd is hot, and Revisited Records has put together a nice digipak with lots of commentary & photographs. The bonus track is an impressive version of "Ausflug", which was recorded live at the Theaterfabrik in Munich, on October 5th 1987.

Next to Embryo, Kraan are among those German groups who include psychedelic, sometimes ethnic elements to their distinctive, innovative jazz rock. At the beginning of their career, started in 1970, Kraan free form jazz rock was really into jam sessions, totally improvised, mainly instrumental (featuring sax sections and many guitar/bass solos). Their self title album was experimented with ethnic, psychedelic/acid tastes and discreet electronic manipulations. Since their debut album and with their two following "Wintrup", "Andy Nogger" the band has demonstrated with interest, dynamism and humour how can we make fusion / jazz with addition of influences from everywhere. Really imaginative, inspired and technical these albums provide something new and amazing: an absolute trippy ethnic jazz rock. This particular facet of the Kraan music culminates with their masterwork "Live" (1975)…

Before the golden era for Kraan ended, they managed to release with producer Conny Plank one last excellent live recording "Tournee". This album was made up of clips from four different performances circa 1979. Stylistically, 'Tournee' is very similar to "Wierderhoren" (in fact 3 songs are lifted from that studio album!) with their unmistakeable cheerful, upbeat jazzy-rock drenched music.

The legendary German progressive jazz-rockers release their 2020 full-length.
Next to Embryo, Kraan are among those German groups who include psychedelic, sometimes ethnic elements to their distinctive, innovative jazz rock. At the beginning of their career, started in 1970, Kraan free form jazz rock was really into jam sessions, totally improvised, mainly instrumental (featuring sax sections and many guitar/bass solos). Their self title album was experimented with ethnic, psychedelic/acid tastes and discreet electronic manipulations. Since their debut album and with their two following "Wintrup", "Andy Nogger" the band has demonstrated with interest, dynamism and humour how can we make fusion / jazz with addition of influences from everywhere…