Kraftwerk As You've Never Heard Them Before

One has the impression that Kraftwerk were formed complete, they entered this world in their plastic totallity from the hull of an alien time machine, bringing us a glimpse of the future of music. Well at least that's my take on it.

Not so, this video shows them (okay only one of the members we know) in full full hippy jam mode, complete with psychedelic video effects worthy of a seventies Top-of-the-Pops special. This would fit in with the trend of the time to go live in the forest and form a musical hippie commune, jamming as a way of life (obviously I'm speculating here). My ears detect the roots of some early Television - I'm thinking Marquee Moon...

While not fully formed as the Kraftwerk we know, indeed flautist Florian Schneider is the only member we know today, guitarist and drummer went on to form influential Kraut Rock band Neu!

Interestingly though, theres a lot of electronic processing going on, the flute looks and sounds like it might be hooked up to a synthesizer of some kind - I can't quite make it out, perhaps an EMS Hi-Fli? - You know what the comments are for...

I also like the fact that there's a clock on Florian's rack - presumably to keep the epic jams from becoming too epic?

More Information

• Original video

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