Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk 2 is the second studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, entirely written and performed by founding Kraftwerk members Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in late 1971 and released in January 1972. Perhaps the least characteristic album of their output, it features no synthesizers, the instrumentation being largely electric guitar, bass guitar, flute and violin. On the second side, the more rock-oriented origins of the group still cling on, mostly without any percussion whatsoever. When the Kraftwerk 2 LP was released, Ralf and Florian had rejoined forces to continue Kraftwerk's music ideas. The LP was recorded at their own studio in Düsseldorf (KlingKlang) and the Star Music Studio in Hamburg. It was produced in just seven days between the 26th September and 1st of October 1971. It was co-produced by Conny Plank who once again played an important role. The Kraftwerk 2 album was originally released on the Philips label and is a musical extension of the first Kraftwerk LP. The LP is totally instrumental and Ralf is credited with rhythmusmashine (rhythm machine) as well as a host of other instruments. With no conventional drumming at all -- the first 17 minute track 'Klingklang' has an altogether softer sound than most of the first album. The track's constantly shifting tempo is due to the changing beat of the drum machine, giving the impression that it is a machine that is actually driving the music forward. This was in 1971 a totally new phenomenon and it is very much the 'Kraftwerk sound' being born.