Electronic Frequencies

In this edition of Electronic Frequencies, we move around the German group Kraftwerk presenting some of the band’s lesser-known songs and work by former band members.

ORGANISATION:
Before Kraftwerk, there was Organisation. Founded in 1968 as “Organisation zur Verwirklichung gemeinsamer Musikkonzepte” by Florian Schneider and Ralf Hütter. This 5-piece band was the direct predecessor of Kraftwerk. They released only one album in 1970 of which you will hear “Rhythm Salad” (1970) in this episode.

KRAFTWERK:
Kraftwerk needs no introduction and probably doesn’t need to complain about lack of airplay. But that doesn’t apply to the band’s first three albums, namely Kraftwerk (1970), Kraftwerk 2 (1972) and Ralf & Florian (1973). To date, the albums have not been officially reissued on compact disc. The band is reluctant to consider the albums part of their oeuvre. Florian Schneider referred to the first three Kraftwerk albums as “archeology.” In another interview, Ralf Hütter couldn’t remember those first albums.
But they really exist anyway. In this episode you will hear “Elektrisches Roulette” (1973), “Megaherz” (1970) and “Spule 4” (1972).
https://kraftwerk.com/

FLORIAN SCHNEIDER:
Florian Schneider, along with Ralf Hütter, was the beating heart of Kraftwerk. After leaving Kraftwerk in 2008, he led a rather reclusive life. He was only occasionally involved in musical projects. In this episode, you will hear “Stop Plastic Pollution,” which he made with Belgian Dan Lacksman of Telex. Schneider died on April 21, 2020.
https://www.parley.tv/updates/2016/1/6/stop-plastic-pollution-florian-schneider-for-the-oceans

KARL BARTOS:
Karl Bartos was percussionist, programmer and co-composer with Kraftwerk from 1975 to 1990. After leaving, he formed the Elektric Music project with Lothar Manteuffel. After that, he made several more albums under his own name. In this edition of Electronic Frequencies, you will hear “Vox Humana” (2013), “TV” (1993) and Another Reality (2003).
https://www.karlbartos.com/

KLAUS RÖDER:
Röder was only briefly part of Kraftwerk. He plays guitar and violin on Kraftwerk’s album Autobahn (1974). Since then he has had his own studio in Solingen. These days, his works are all available for download through his 1.0 website. In this episode you will hear “Outdoor One” (2022), “Livemusic 1” (1999) and an extract from “Water One” (2022).
https://www.klaus-roeder.org/

WOLFGANG FLÜR:
Flür played in Kraftwerk from 1973 to 1987. In 1997 he made the album Time Pie with Yamo and then in 2015, under his own name, Eloquence. In 2000, his book “I was a robot” was published in which Flür elaborates on his time with Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk subsequently dragged Flür to court who ordered that part of the book be rewritten. In this edition of Electronic Frequencies, you’ll hear ‘Time Pie (1997).

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00:00-00:43 | Electronic Frequencies Intro.

00:45-05:02.
Kraftwerk – Elektrisches Roulette.
Album: Ralf & Florian / 1973 / Philips – 6305 197.

05:03-07:36.
Klaus Röder – Outdoor One.
Self-released on klaus-roeder.org / 2022.

07:37-11:04.
Florian Schneider & Dan Lacksman – Stop Plastic Pollution.
Released on SoundCloud through Dazed Digital / 2015.

11:05-13:55.
Karl Bartos – Vox Humana.
Album: Off The Record / 2013 / Bureau B – CD 974282.

13:56-19:32.
Elektric Music – TV.
Album: Esperanto / 1993 / EastWest – 4509-92999-2.

19:33-23:15.
Yamo – Time Pie (Minute Pie).
Album: Time Pie / 1996 / EMI Electrola – 7243 8 54173 2 0.

23:16-36:43.
Klaus Röder – Livemusic 1.
Self-released on klaus-roeder.org / 1999.

36:44-46:11.
Kraftwerk – Megaherz.
Album: Kraftwerk / 1970 / Philips – 6305 058.

46:12-49:25.
Karl Bartos – Another Reality.
Album: Communication / 2003 / Sony Music – HOM 5129292000.

49:26-53:25.
Organisation – Rhythm Salad
Album: Tone Float / 1970 / RCA Victor – SF 8111

53:26-54:41
Klaus Röder – Water One. (extract)
Self-released on klaus-roeder.org / 2022.

54:42-59:59.
Kraftwerk – Spule 4.
Album: Kraftwerk 2 / 1972 / Philips – 6305 117.