Klaus Schulze - Dig It [2005 Reissue, Deluxe Edition] (1980)
Flac (separate files)+CUE+LOG - 400 MB | Full Range DVD5 - 3.1 GB | AVI (XviD, 720x544, 23.976 FPS, AC3 48khz 320kbps) - 2 GB | Covers (300 dpi) - 52 MB
Genre: Berlin School Electronic
Opinions remain diverse amongst fans and critics alike over the 1980 release, 'Dig It''. Klaus took a different approach to make what is ultimately a typical Schulze album. Was it merely a technological exercise,( big issue being made of the fact that this was an entirely digital recording) or was it Klaus heading for a more contemporary style, pundits having spent more time speculating over the album than it actually took to record the darn thing!!! To the fan - love it or hate it there have only ever been good Schulze album's, albeit some stronger than others. The music from the original LP had become more muscular than cosmic which may have upset many. Flawless powerful drums and percussives featuring strongly throughout the album helping to lift the musical dynamic, but unfortunately never enough to make the album really shine. Popular music press write up's had obviously looked to pigeon hole Schulze as being a one dimensional musical character, feeling the need to point out influences from reggae to disco, jazz to classical to describe the music. I think only Klaus himself could answer the critics on that score, as to my ears,'Dig It' is none of these things, l hear strong Schulzian overtones throughout. As for the DVD - the 1980 Linz ARS concert, the quality is excellent as too is the music. Baring in mind that the concert was played post recording/ pre album release its hardly surprising that much of the music performed has a similar edge to it as 'Dig It', only in the show all developments are organic so providing us with another whole load of music that is a fitting accompaniment to the album proper. Klaus's synths are mixed with live industrial noise from a local steel plant, this noise being piped into the hall as Klaus plays. On paper it sounds like a bad idea, but in actual fact as you listen l think it really works!!! All a bit strange, but very entertaining throughout as the visuals are intercut with video effects typical of the age, also generated by Schulze.