16 November : Patto/ Klopfzeichen

In February this year, my pal Malcy suggested I should have a listen to the eponymous debut album by Patto, released in November 1970. My notes at the time said the band reminded me somewhat of Family, but with Steve Winwood on vocals. I said that I thought the playing was better than the material.

The album has, I think, quite a cult following, and I can understand why. It’s largely built around Ollie Halsall’s impressive lead guitar and, listening again today, I feel somewhat warmer towards it, though I still think the playing is better than the material. It’s progressive in the sense of being non-commercial and, although jazz influences are often detected, particularly on Money Bag (a track I like) and John Halsey’s drumming, my overwhelming impression is of heavy rock with bluesy/soul overtones.

I’m not rushing to join the cult, but the album is always listenable, and Money Bag is outstanding.

You’ll find it on Spotify and elsewhere.

***

Kluster’s debut album Klopfzeichen is the sound of an industrial migraine. Side one has the added bonus of Christa Runge reading various German texts, and I’m told it sounds better if you don’t understand German.

To the best of my knowledge there are no electronic instruments on the two tracks; rather, they’re composed from treated sound (including acoustic instruments) and voices. This stuff is deliberately made to confound and challenge, and is self consciously avant garde (what’s the German for avant garde?)

It is much more hard-core than Tangerine Dream or Kraftwerk and, with apologies for the stereotyping, very German.

None of that means that I dislike it 🙂 There’s a certain hypnotic quality to it, but it isn’t easy or background listening: you put this onto the record/cd player knowing what you’re in for, possibly as a penance.

Actually, I’m not even sure if you’re supposed to do anything so vulgar as to listen to this. I suspect you are instead expected to possess a copy to impress upon your friends that you are the sort of person who not only can listen to it, but also that you appreciate its wonderful afunctionalism.

Beard stroking for extra points.

I listened on Spotify but it is available elsewhere I think. A first pressing of the album is currently £725 on Discogs if you’re keen.