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Kraan — All In
(Bassball no#, 2026, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-04-27

All In Cover art

The masters of German psychedelic funk and jazz-rock fusion are back with a new studio album of original material, the follow up to studio album Zoup a couple years back, and 55 years on from the band’s formation, now in your choice of CD, LP, or download. The core trio of Jan Fride (drums), Peter Wolbrandt (guitar, synth, and presumably vocals), and Hellmut Hattler (bass) are joined by guest Martin Kasper on keyboards — who has played on their recent studio albums Sandglass and Zoup, and plays with Hattler’s other bands Siyou ‘n’ Hell and Hattler. The twelve tracks present their trademark mostly-instrumental mix of styles, some familiar interleaved with some really nice and unexpected surprises that sound like nothing they’ve done previously, yet fit in with their sound seamlessly. Opener “Petunha” sets the stage, sounding strangely familiar, with Wolbrandt turning in a spectacular performance on guitar, while Hattler and Fride maintain a solid rhythmic connection to what he’s doing, but it’s over in just a little over three minutes. By contrast, the title track that closes the set begins in familiar territory as well, but morphs into a high speed jam after a minute in, showcasing some powerful psychedelic guitar soloing as well as some rippin’ keyboard work. Vocals are first heard on the second cut, “Tadpole,” though as Kraan tends to do, they are buried deep in the mix of heady fusion and funk. Other tracks of note include the slow driver “Auf Weiter Flur” that covers some new ground for the band, Wolbrandt’s guitar lending a beautiful psychedelic tone to the proceedings, and the gentle slow-builder “Over the Moon” that grows slowly over its three-and-a-half minute duration, with plenty of fluid solos for keys and guitar. “Terzer Roller” seems to cover some new ground with an almost reggae beat that mixes it up with the more typical Kraan funkiness to create something entirely new, while “Press Play” is a massive slab of pure power-funk like no other. Going where no Kraan has gone before, “Nacht in den Helder” takes a stab at pure fusion mixed with island rhythms across its brief two-and-a-half minute trajectory. Longtime fans and newcomers alike will find plenty herein to satiate their funky fusion grooves.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Kraan

More info
http://kraan.bandcamp.com/album/all-in

 

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