Customer Reviews

Expo Mixes

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This 10 track compilation combines the "Expo 2000" and "Expo Remix" singles, which were originally released in 1999 and 2000 respectively. It is a measure of Kraftwerk's economic work-rate that they are able to bang out a 52 minute album by simply making a song and remixing it twice. "Expo 2000 Kling Klang Mix 2000" is the original song, followed by an aggressive remix by the Dusseldorf legends, "Kling Klang Mix 2002". "Kling Klang Mix 2001" barely qualifies as a remix - it is simply the "2000 Mix" with the beats removed. For Track 1, the "Radio Mix", Kraftwerk did not even have to raise a finger. The same goes for tracks 5-10, in which Orbital, Francois Kevorkian, DJ Rolando and Underground Resistance provide interpretations of the original "Expo 2000" track. This is the modern-day "concept album" that many have been waiting for. Disappointed? Don't be. There should be a new album by around 2011.

When "Expo 2000" was released as a single in late 1999, it had been 13 years since Kraftwerk had released any new material and it had been nearly a decade since their last proper album, a collection of reworkings entitled "The Mix". One year later, another single of "Expo 2000" remixes was released. Now, all the tracks that were released on these two CD-singles are together on one CD. Don't be turned off by the fact that this is 10 different mixes of one song. The end result is quite stunning. There is a cohesive flow to this CD and it's does not sound like a series of remixes at all. There is an overall theme which is spread throughout the CD. It's interesting and fun to compare, contrast and choose your favorite mixes of the one piece of music. Overall, the sound of this CD is definitive Kraftwerk. It's great to have something new from these guys after all these years of patiently waiting. It's a nice little snack to satisfy your Kraftwerk appetitie. An album of all new material would have made for a filling dinner but "Expo Remix" will do for now. It's a great addition and a must for any Kraftwerk fan

Ahh Kraftwerk, probably one of the most elusive and intriguing bands of all time. Dispite the fact that this CD is really only one 'tune,' the remixes are wonderful and really add some good variation to the overall single. I would have been more impressed with mabye a video clip or 2 on the cd, but still, any activity from kraftwerk is always something special.

Incidentally, on their recent tour of Australia, they announced a new album being 99% complete and due around June to September! Fingers crossed for Kraftwerk fans!

What was initially a 30-second jingle for the Expo 2000 Hanover festival became nearly a one hour CD that has more of a concert feel than simply being a studio release.

The mixes of Expo2000 flow into a theme that Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider worked to artistic perfection during a world tour several years later; open with a variety of sonic selections and then let the doors bust open to clubland. Even the CD cover gives a hint at how the group was going to present themselves on tour, which - in my opinion - started with these ten selections.

The Radio Mix is essentially an introduction, with R&B kicking it hard in Kling Klang Mix 2002. A melody of sounds are explored in Kling Klang Mix 2000, Orbital Mix, Kling Klang Mix 2001 and - to end what I term the first set - the Francois K & Rob Rives Mix.

And then it's to the dance floor for a heavy dose of technopop, as the 7:29 DJ Rolando Mix rocks the house and sets the stage for a trio of Underground Resistence mixes that clock in a few seconds over 10 funky minutes.

Kraftwerk Expo Remix shows Hutter and Schneider in excellent form and reaching out to a variety of artists to deliver an unexpected "concert" gem.