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Kraan — Aladin Tapes
(Bandcamp 36 Music 36133, 1980/2025, CD / 2LP / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2025-05-03

Aladin Tapes Cover art

In March 1980, Kraan was the quartet of Peter Wolbrandt (guitar, vocals), Hellmut Hattler (bass), Udo Dahmen (drums), and Ingo Bischof (keyboards), following the Tournee live album, which was recorded at various dates throughout 1979. Their sound, somewhat uncommon among German bands with a few exceptions, was a powerful funky jazz-rock laced with psychedelia, though by this time (their last studio album was Flyday from 1978) that latter element only comes through when they perform their earlier material. Mostly instrumental, at this point their sound might be comparable to American band Sea Level around the time of their first few albums. While the lineup on Aladin Tapes is the same as Tournee, most of what’s here is around a year later and it’s all taken from the same performance, something very important for consistency. The set contains thirteen pieces, beginning with the essential “Yaqui Yagua,” then “Far West” from Flyday and “Borgward” that first featured on Tournee, then a couple new cuts, “Berg und Tal” and “She’s Gone” (no studio counterparts of either exist), before going back to their classic material like “Hallo Ja Ja, I Don't Know” and “Nam Nam” (both highlights of the 1975 double LP Live), then “You’re Right” and “Almrausch” (Flyday and Tournee respectively) before wrapping up the set with the classics “Let It Out,” “Vollgas Ahoi,” and “Silky Way,” the last two culled from the underappreciated Wiederhören from ‘77. Much in the same way as the Grateful Dead or Allman Brothers, Kraan’s studio recordings are a starting point that become fully fleshed out in a live setting, which is probably why nine of their 25 albums to date are live — several of them (including this one) are doubles. Aladin Tapes offers a satisfying glimpse into Kraan’s live set that should please longtime fans and newcomers alike.


Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases, 1980 recordings

Related artist(s): Kraan, Hellmut Hattler

More info
http://kraan.bandcamp.com/album/aladin-tapes

 

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