Malesch

ソロ/ASHRA等で活躍するLutz Ulbrich(g/acoustic-g)、後に黄金期TANGERINE DREAMを支えるChristopher Franke(drs)等により'67年に結成、過渡期のTANGERINE DREAMにも参加したMichael Hoenig(key/electronics)等Manuel Gottsching関連人脈アーティストをはじめジャーマン・エクスペリメンタル・ロックシーンの主要メンバーが在籍/交錯した最重要バンドの一つ、ドイツ:Vertigoから発表された'72年デビュー作がドイツ:MIG-Musicよりデジスリーブ仕様CDとして'25年新装再発!
AMON DUULや初期ASH RA TEMPELに通じるドラッギーなフリー色に加え、タイトルにも表れている通り中期EMBRYO等が打ち出した民族色も加味された、混沌としたドラッグ/バッド・トリップ感覚が堪らない逸品です!!
マスターは旧規格盤デジパック仕様CDと同様のリマスタリング音源を使用。ボーナストラックとして旧規格盤と同じく'72年2月のドイツMainz公演から"Factory Music"のライブ音源を収録。

The debut album by Agitation Free followed a somewhat different path than your average Krautrock band, veering unexpectedly toward the Middle East, specifically Egypt, in search of atmosphere and material. Underneath the dueling guitars and spacy synth work, desert rhythms and taped sounds of dusky cities percolate, adding depth and spice to the otherwise smooth, Teutonic grooves. It's a tribute to the apparent sincerity of the band that the use of these motifs does not sound at all contrived, instead integrating quite well. The delicate, intricate percussion that concludes "Ala Tul," for instance, sounds as lively as anything by Steve Reich from around the same period. Tapes of street songs emerge surprisingly and effectively toward the end of the otherwise stately march "Khan El Khalili," providing a bridge to the Terry Riley-ish organ trills that begin the title track. "Malesch," like many of the tracks, spins off into a leisurely stroll, sounding unexpectedly close to some Grateful Dead jams. Even when it picks up pace, there's an unhurried quality that fits in nicely with the Saharan undertones of the album. Malesch is a solid, even inspired recording that stands somewhat apart from the usual cliches of the genre. Fans of German progressive rock from this period will certainly want to hear and enjoy it. ~ Brian Olewnick