Musik von Harmonia, the debut album by the influential German Kosmische Musik (Krautrock) band Harmonia, was released in January 1974. The band formed with the addition of Neu! guitarist Michael Rother to Cluster (the duo of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius). The album was self-produced by the band using a primitive mixing board and three tape machines.
There are conflicting opinions about Harmonia's music in relation to Cluster and NEU!.
Some feel this album is closer to the sound of NEU!, while I find it closer to that of Cluster.
Many argue that as a band, it isn't strictly Kosmische Musik (Krautrock): beyond the genre definition, the cosmic and pioneering electronic recordings make it one of the most beautiful electronic music albums I've ever heard.
Some notes on the tracks:
Watussi is a piece based on a complex, repeated pattern around which the improvisations revolve, the same technique used for the song Veterano.
Sonnenschein and Dino are simpler pieces in the style of Michael Rother, closer to the style of NEU!
Sehr Kosmische is the longest piece, about ten minutes long, very beautiful, with different levels of echo in each instrumental layer that create the illusion of space between them. Truly a cosmic piece.
Ohrwurm is characterized by twisted notes that resonate like a nightmare.
Ahoi! is a piece composed of two distinct parts: the first, based on repeated bass notes, the second, with a more joyful atmosphere.
Hausmusik also has two distinct parts: the first is a repeating piano pattern, superimposed on another layer in the central section.
Musik Von Harmonia is a very interesting and experimental album, relying heavily on electronic textures and drum machines. A beautiful debut album for a band that has reaffirmed and surpassed their legacy on subsequent albums.
Tracklist
1. Watussi (5:55)
2. Sehr Kosmisch (10:50)
3. Sonnenschein (3:50)
4. Dino (3:30)
5. Ohrwurm (5:05)
6. Ahoi! (5:00)
7. Veterano (3:55)
8. Hausmusik (4:30)
Duration 42:05
LineUp
- Michael Rother - guitar, piano, organ, electronic percussion
- Hans-Joachim Roedelius - organ, keyboards, guitar, electronic percussion
- Dieter Moebius - synthesizer, guitar, electronic percussion
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page
.jpeg "Deluxe by Harmonia")
