Cluster 71

Cluster

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Water
• ASIN: B000BZN1A0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,482 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. 15:33

2. 7:38

3. 21:17

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

On the outer edge of German space rock, Cluster '71 stands as a testament to minimalist "cosmische" music. The three untitled tracks composed and performed by Moebius and Roedelius are exploratory, ever-changing pieces with focuses on guitar distortion and synthesizer wails, though each goes far beyond. This album deserves the many accolades it's been given, and holds up as an early landmark in the history of beatless ambience. Water. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and eerie electronica that does not feature a single synthesizer , May 12, 2006

By	Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This excellent 1971 release opens with a wall of eerie mechanical sounds that are similar in texture to the soundscapes that Tangerine Dream was experimenting with on albums like Alpha Centauri (also 1971). Interestingly enough although the sounds on Cluster 71 are very futuristic sounding and highly electronic, the musicians did not use a single synthesizer. In fact, all of the sounds were generated with two organs, a violin, and a cello that were all heavily modified with analog echo machines, sound generators, and effects pedals. The musicians on this album include Deiter Moebius (organ, Hawaiian guitar, audio generator, amplifier), Hans-Joachim Roedelius (organ, cello, audio-generator), and Conny Plank, who not only contributed to the pieces, but engineered and helped produce the album. There are three untitled tracks that range in length from 7'38" to a massive 21'17" and are very similar in texture and mood (all deliciously creepy). My general take on this album is that it stretches the experimental "studio-wizardry" approach of late 1960s Pink Floyd to the point where recognizable form and structure are pretty much thrown out the window. There are no melodies to speak of and each piece is dominated by a creepy and pulsating wash of odd sounds and electronica-like textures. This album was re-issued recently and features the original cover art along with some informative liner notes by Steven Iliffe. All in all, this album makes for some serious listening and should prove to be very enjoyable for fans of 1970-1971 Tangerine Dream and "Berlin School" electronica in general. Highly recommended.

For those of you that are curious, Reodelius and Moebius would go on to form the group Harmonia. Their album Deluxe (1975) is very enjoyable and synth heavy too.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cluster - 'Cluster '71' (Water), March 7, 2006

By	Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Originally released in 1971(so it's noted).I've never seen or even heard of this reissue,until here recently.Looks to have been put out right between the time that Kluster's '70's 'Klopfzeichen' and '71's 'Eruption' had seen the light of day.Oh,'Cluster '71' holds up to it's name,from every standpoint.Three untitled cuts(as C/Kluster is known for).It's obvious that members Dieter Moebius and Jiachim Roedelius had spent a good amount of time putting this piece of ambient/krautrock together.Track listing:#1 (15:33),#2 (7:39)and #3 (21:14).Felt that all three compositions here served their purpose well.If you're discovering this album for the very first time,like I did,'Cluster '71' should provide many pleasant listens for you.Save maybe some of your best stash for this one.A should-have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary 'Debut' from Cluster!!!, September 13, 2007

By	Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

1971 marked yet another extraordinary 'debut' from the experimental German Krautrock scene - a dynamic duo known as Cluster. The band actually began life as Kluster and had released three albums under this name until founding member Conrad Schnitzler left for a solo career. With Schntizler's departure in 1971, Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius carried on as Cluster and released a jaw-dropping self-titled album full of timeless innovation and experimentation.
36 years later, "Cluster 71" still sounds almost unlike anything from the period. It's also hard to believe that none of the soundscpaes heard on this album were made with a single synthesizer. Only electronic organs, a Hawaiian guitar and various electronic devices and amplifiers were used.
Right from the start, this album hits a person in the face with the full-blown industrial attack of the 15-minute opening track all the way through the 21-minute closing piece. The music gives the impression that it was recorded in a large industrial plant with various machines performing their own sounds. This is especially apparent in the album's final piece.
There really isn't anything that "Cluster 71" can be compared to (except for maybe Tangerine Dream's "Nebulous Dawn" from their 1972 classic "Zeit"). This album really takes on a life of its own once it hits the ears and is an amazing and somewhat frightening journey into the world of surreal sounds. As time would go on, Cluster would slowly begin to leave their abrasive soundscapes behind them opting for a more melodic and quiet approach. This album shows Cluster at the beginning though - a fresh duo of individuals who weren't afraid to experiment on all four cylinders and successfully pulling out all the stops in the end.