Kraftwerk – K4

here is the info file from Dime

REMASTER

Kraftwerk

K4 (Bremen Radio 1971) {SEIDR 026}

Gondel Kino, Bremen, Germany

June 25, 1971

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Stereo Soundboard Recording

Lineage: Reel(M) -> DAT (x) -> private CDR -> EAC (secure, test & copy) -> FLAC

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Changes made (Nero 7):

Reduced right channel to 85% on all tracks

Deleted the gaps between tracks

Cross-faded most tracks to smooth out transitions

Fixed lots of balance & volume fluctuations within tracks

Fixed right-channel bias of applause

Transfer: Flac > Nero > CDRW > EAC > FlacFrontend (level 6)

Quality: EX

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This is an extremely rare early version of Kraftwerk, includin the founders of Neu! It is a far heavier guitar-driven performance than the later synth-based group and sounds closer to Amon Duul.

I did a fair bit of tidying up (details above), so what was already a great sounding recording is now quite superb, so…

…Grab this jewel quick !!

01. Heavy Metal Kids (07:51)

02. K1 (15:34)

03. K2 (Ruckzuck) (19:09)

04. K3 (15:09)

05. K4 (11:29)

Total playing time: 69:15

Original info

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Comments by littlebear:

There isn’t any extra information about this this unofficial release either in the liner notes or on the interweb thing – however, as you listen it becomes obvious that this is indeed a recording of the rather short-lived lineup of Kraftwerk that includes Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger in its ranks! That’s right – Neu! as part of Kraftwerk!!!

Are you still reading? Why aren’t you downloading instead?! :P

It’s basically a whole CD of extended “side-long” jams in the style of the first Kraftwerk albums performed in front of a small but enthusiastic audience and broadcast on Bremen Radio in 1971. The members of Neu! really take a forward role here, with Rother’s guitar driving things for most of the time and sounding quite rocking, with glimpses of his future soaring melodic sound in the extended jam passages. The guitar and drums are backed up by synth and I believe organ bass, with notable exceptions of flute taking the forefront on the great version of Ruckzack (from the first Kraftwerk LP) and is it distorted electric violin on K4? Maybe just Rother taking a violin bow to his guitar strings! Proto-Kraftwerk and proto-Neu! It’s exciting stuff, and on top of that the sound quality is excellent – a professional radio recording.

How has this recording not become better known over the past 35 years since it was made?! I don’t know. It appears to be a newly released CDR edition with good-quality (but privately printed) packaging. Maybe it has stayed in the Radio Bremen archives until now? If you’re sceptical about the authenticity I’m sure a listen will persuade you… and hearing someone in the crowd shout “Michael!” in the last second of the recording is the icing on the cake 8-)

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Thanks to The Original Uploader littlebear, June 13, 2006