Welcome to section K of my vinyl collection, an informal trip through my collection with quick photos and descriptions. For each vinyl there will be a little write up, it might be about the packaging, the music, where I got the record etc... enjoy!
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Kammerflimmer Kollektief - Cicadidae (2003)
Cicadae was Kammerflimmer Kollektief's fourth release and their first for Staubgold. I haven't owned any of their other material before but I have heard bits and bobs and they appear to be an interesting group that blend a lot of disparate elements together. They kind of remind me of Strings of Conciousness or Sigur Ros in the way they blend experimental forms of music into an almost pop like sound that is very easy to listen and chill out to.
I kind of like this album although to be honest I don't listen to it that often. If you want a mix of Jazz with some unusual instrumentation and an almost filmic, relaxed quality then definitely look into this album.
The record comes with a single sided inner which is all in German so I'm not sure what it says, the label is rather basic and reminds me of the label for the AGF record I have (check out A to see what I mean).
The record comes with a single sided inner which is all in German so I'm not sure what it says, the label is rather basic and reminds me of the label for the AGF record I have (check out A to see what I mean).
Øystein Kapperud – 311 / Amnesia (2011)
This is an interesting release that brings together a lot of uncategorisable music into one big mash up, once you think you get what Oystein is going for and the instruments and techniques he's using it'll be totally different on the next track.
His sound is a mix of a lot of experimental electronic music genres like glitch and 'IDM' and noise but his sound often has an indie shoegazey feel also with some guitar thrown in and some dramatic moods created... but then the next track will be pure sound collage... it's a nice release that keeps you on your toes.
I kind of like the artwork here, although it feels incoherent, but I guess that works well with the music! Four sides of music here, worth checking out if you can ever find it in the wild.
Mick Karn - Titles (1982)
The thing that attracted me to this album was the album cover, I like how Japanese it looks... then it clicked! This is Mick Karn, the late and great bass player who was in Japan along with David Sylvian, Steve Jensen and Richard Barbieri.
This is Karn's first album, it keeps a lot of the funky world music inspired 80's pop vibe from Japan but here the music and bass lines repeat and repeat and take on a meditative and often slightly disturbing nature. There are vocals from Karn across the whole of Side B but sadly they don't have much punch to them, it would probably be better if he had guest vocals on some of these tracks. The lyric-less Side A definitely wins out.
The bass playing throughout is what keeps this album interesting, Karn just has such a distinctive bass tone and way of playing, it's just a pleasure to listen to. There are some other flourishes here and there but taken as a whole this album more than a little patchy. Still, for bass players and Japan fans this is essential listening.
Mick Karn - Buoy (1986)
This is Japan in all but name, all tracks feature Steve Jensen and Mick Karn (obviously) and the title track of this single features David Sylvian on lead vocals. On Side A the production and keyboards are pure mid 80's which I don't really find appealing at all, to me they just sound incredibly dated and lack soul and warmth... thankfully Karn's bass is as weird as ever and Sylvian's vocals are nice and deep. The track takes some unusual twists and turns too which keeps things interesting.
Side B really is great though. The first track Dreams of Reason is an alto / tenor saxophone and bass clarinet led piece with some icy keyboards layered over the top. It's a nice filmic track that holds up nicely. The next track Language of Ritual is an African inspired piece with some thudding drums, clarinet weaving and some hammering piano chords. Both of these tracks don't feature Karn on bass and they're still great which is testament to his knack for songwriting and his versatility as a player.
I really don't like the front cover, sorry Karn! I would really like to hear the album this single is from, 'Dreams Of Reason Produce Monsters', what do people think of this album?
King Crimson – The Young Persons' Guide To King Crimson (1975) (1979 Reissue)
The only King Crimson I own, this 2 record long compilation takes in the first 5 years of King Crimson's career. It collects together some essential tracks but has a nice addition in the form of an unreleased version of I Talk To The Wind and the Cat Food single (along with its B-side). I like most of the music here and I do feel like it's a good way into their music.
I like the art on the front and back, it has that classic messed up creepy prog feel to it, great stuff!
The Kniφe (aka. The Knife) – Shaking The Habitual (2013)
This is The Knife's latest album and if to be believed also their last. I have mixed feelings about this release, the tracks I like I really really like and feel they have some great production, interesting themes and great sounds. The tracks I dislike I really dislike. I feel they were going for an all or nothing approach here and were trying to give the consumer a lot for their money. For just over £20 you get 3 high quality records, 2 CD's, 2 double sided posters and it all came in a lovingly printed package. I cannot help feeling there is some political message in the way this album was created release and promoted.
The two colours that all the packing is printed in really pop out at you in person, they have a crazy effect on your eyes which can actually be a little painful! It doesn't really come across in the photos but it is very striking and distinctive. With regards to design I like how they left no surface uncovered; even printing on the inside of the album's sleeve. Overall this is a really nice package to have even if some of the music irks me a little.
Kraftwerk – Autobahn (1974) (1975 Reissue)
Kraftwerk's fourth album but in many ways their first also. This is where the classic albums start and where core Kraftwerk members themselves believe they started proper. One side is taken up with Autobahn which is a stone cold classic for Kraftwerk and is still fun to listen to today. The other side is taken up by 4 instrumental tracks that are unlike anything they'd make from Trans Europe Express onwards, they have an almost rock group feel to them and feel closer to the general Krautrock sound of groups like Can or Faust... to my ears anyway, they still use some more traditional instruments. I really like these tracks as they feel kind of rough around the edges.
The copy I have uses the road sign as the cover, I actually prefer this cover over the original. The road sign is embossed which is a nice touch.
Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine (1978)
Probably my favourite Kraftwerk album. This is an instant classic and should be listened to by all! It's just a joy to listen to from start to finish.
My copy is a bit rounded off on the top right due to wear and looks a little dirty but the record actually sounds fairly nice. It comes with an inner sleeve made of card, I feel funny about having my record against the bare old card so I keep the record in a poly lined sleeve and just use the original inner sleeve as a simple insert. I like the design throughout for this record, I think it works really well, down to the silhouetted image on the center label. I feel they kind of ruined the art on the remasters sadly, this original art still holds up and shouldn't have been changed.
Kevin Coyne And Dagmar Krause – Babble (1979)
This is being listed under K rather than under C even though it's more of a Coyne album than a Krause album but I see it as being part of my Dagmar Krause collection so I'm including it here. I don't know much of Kevin Coyne's work and I bought this simply because of Dagmar! (Good enough reason I say).
I haven't listened to this that much as it didn't really appeal to me upon first listen, I should give it more of a chance one day as I know it does have some good things going for it. Maybe it's just that I'd rather listen to Dagmar's solo albums, Slapp Happy or Henry Cow over this. This is much closer to the whole singer songwriter thing which can be a bit hit and miss for me.
Dagmar Krause - Angebot & Nachfrage : Lieder Von Brecht / Weill & Eisler (1986)
Dagmar Krause – Supply & Demand - Songs By Brecht/Weill & Eisler (1986)
These records were released on Joe Boyd's record label Hannibal. They feature tracks written by Hanns Eisler or Kurt Weill for use in theatrical productions by Bertolt Brecht. Both composers were pushing classical composition toward more popular forms of music and protest song and often featured very hard hitting lyrics.
The two copies here may look the same but in actual fact one features the songs in their original German and the other translates them into English. Both sound incredible instrumentally and vocally Dagmar Krause adds so much character and emotion to the recordings.
Dagmar Krause – Tank Battles: The Songs Of Hanns Eisler (1988)
This album released a couple of years after Supply & Demand follows the work Hanns Eisler exclusively. Personally I prefer Hanns Eisler to Kurt Weill as his compositions (at least here) have a lot more bite and the instrumentation tends to be sharper... so obviously I prefer this record over Supply & Demand! Not only do I prefer the writing on this record I also think the production is much much better and the overall sound quality and performances are much better and clearer. The artwork is also amazing and features some spot printing sheen in places which adds to the whole thing.
This is easily one of my favourite records and comes highly recommended. One of the best releases Dagmar Krause has ever appeared on.
Posted: 22nd September 2015
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