Irmin Schmidt & Innerspace (Can) - 1969 - Kamasutra (Soundtrack)

I r m i n S c h m i d t ( C a n )
1969 - Kamasutra: Vollendung der Liebe (Soundtrack)


...For although the soundtrack is credited to keyboardist Irmin Schmidt, itΓΓé¼Γäós really the work of a prototypical line-up of Can called Inner Space that was active in 1968. Alongside Can stalwarts bassist Holger Czukay, guitarist Michael Karoli, and drummer Jaki Liebezeit were songbird Margarete Juvan and two Americans, soon-to-depart flutist David Johnson and just-arrived singer Malcolm Mooney. Excepting Juvan, theyΓΓé¼Γäód all already worked together on the ripping garage rocker ΓΓé¼┼ôFather Cannot Yell,ΓΓé¼┬¥ which would turn up on CanΓΓé¼Γäós debut album Monster Movie (although it bears noting that Johnson only operated the tape deck that day). The sextet recorded just one other time, to make the music for Kamasutra.
Some of CanΓΓé¼Γäós signature sounds were already in place. Liebezeit, a disillusioned former free jazz drummer, had already figured out how to play elaborate figures without betraying the groove; Czukay, who was just beginning to get familiar with his electric bass, played simply but melodically. Despite being credited as the leader, Schmidt was as unfamiliar with pop music as Czukay was with his instrument and hadnΓΓé¼Γäót figured out what to do in that context yet; his organ and electric piano keep a pretty low profile. So itΓΓé¼Γäós KaroliΓΓé¼Γäós already distinctive guitar and JohnsonΓΓé¼Γäós patchouli-fragrant flute that bring the tunes to balance LiebezeitΓΓé¼Γäós beats. Since the movie has an Indian theme, thereΓΓé¼Γäós also a little sitar in the background...

-- Bill Meyer / dustmagazine.com --

complete review at:

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5548