Kraan - Andy Nogger (1974) [EMI Electrola 7243 8 22670 2 7]

Andy Nogger was the last studio album from Kraan's original lineup, and it is an excellent summary of their various influences, as well as what the band made of them. The title track is as experimental as it is engaging, with electronically mutated sax tones providing an underpinning to a bright guitar-led melody. "Nam Nam" is as close as Kraan ever got to being a straight-ahead rock band, and on the evidence they would have been a good one. Here and on tracks like the funky Home the band creates a remarkable instrumental interplay which would be exhibited even better on their Live album. Other tracks, such as "Son of the Sun" and "Yellow Bamboo" seamlessly blend tropical and Middle Eastern rhythms with electronic noodling. The thing that makes his album indispensable for Kraan fans is the studio version of "Holiday Am Marterhorn," a concert favorite that is always a starting point for an extended jam and brilliant soloing. The version on this album is almost the only track without any electronic effects -- a wise decision, since it is impossible to imagine anything that might have improved it. Though Kraan explores various ideas on this album everything fits together well and sounds like natural exploration of styles rather than a contrived attempt to reach another audience. Andy Nogger is the best studio album this band ever did, and it hasn't aged a bit.

Tracks:

1. Stars 5:24
2. Andy Nogger 3:47
3. Nam Nam 5:48
4. Son of the Sun 5:02
5. Holiday Am Marterhorn 7:40
6. Home 5:43
7. Yellow Bamboo 4:25