Kraan – Kraan 1972 Germany, KrautrockJazz Rock

Kraan – Kraan (1972) [Germany, Krautrock/Jazz Rock] Recorded in just three days, Kraan’s self-titled debut album mirrors closely their live set from that period. The tracks range from free-form jazz to total improvisation, fusing together rock, jazz, and ethnic influences. In true genre fashion, the first track kicks off with an other-worldly collage of electronic sounds. The group then breaks into a riff that reminds me of Amon Duul II before they kick it up a notch and break into a jazzy instrumental section complete with an eerie guitar and sax interplay. The second track, ’M.C. Escher’, is a slower, more deliberate rock number which is highlighted by some eastern-influenced sax work. ’Kraan Arabia’ is a ten-minute excursion into eastern flavored jazz and it features sax, guitar and bass solos. Opening with a conga percussion section similar to The Stones’ ’Sympathy For The Devil’, the track kicks into gear with a distinctly eastern-styled guitar and sax riff. The ei