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Reviews

Brainstorm — Smile a While
(Lion Productions LION 633M, 1972/2009, CD)

Smile a While Cover art

Although Germanofon released this less than a year ago, I think its a much better idea to buy this version. We all know what a fine job Musea does on their CDs, and this one is no exception, including three bonus tracks to the original album. Brainstorm's debut is definitely a classic, an album of very complex and heavy jazz-rock. It's parallel in many ways to bands like Eiliff, Ikarus, or Missus Beastly, yet its sound much less German than any of those groups. In fact, its inspiration comes heavily from the Canterbury school; there are lots of references to Caravan and Soft Machine here. The whole thing sounds parallel to the early 70s French and Dutch movements; comparing Brainstorm with Moving Gelatine Plates or Supersister is not far off the mark. This one is definitely recommended to those with jazz or Canterbury inclinations, these long and involved tracks light up the senses.

by Mike McLatchey, Published 1997-05-01

German guys in foundations and girdles? This is one of those albums that will immediately catch your eye as you browse the CD racks. Not being aware of this band or album I was skeptical of their music after noticing the fetching figures cut by the band dressed in lingerie. Was Brainstorm a trend setting band that set the stage for glam rock? Probably not. Instead they were one of Germany’s best progressive bands from the early 70s playing a complex and harmonically rich jazz-rock music like that produced by Moving Gelatine Plates, Soft Machine, and Caravan. Brainstorm’s music is characterized by Ronald Schaeffer’s killer distorted sax solos, Rainer Bodensohn’s flute, and Eddy van Overheidt’s organ and funky wailing. Definitely not toe tapping music and not a good idea to play if you are under a lot of stress or your kids are running around the house yelling. This is high brow energetic music that demands your full attention. Fortunately for us, along with the original Smile a While recorded in 1972, Musea also included three bonus tracks originally recorded for SWF radio in 1971. Overall another excellent reissue from Musea’s vaults.

by Henry Schneider, Published 1997-12-31

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 12, 2009 releases, 1972 recordings

Related artist(s): Brainstorm (1)

 

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