Out
of Focus (1971)
While
often overshadowed by many of their deservedly lauded contemporaries,
Out of Focus were actually among the very finest German groups
of the 70s. Drawing heavily from both jazz and psychedelic rock,
Out of Focus created a uniquely powerful, fluid sound that focused
on extended jams, featuring acid-laced organ, guitar and flute.
Band like Embryo and Kraan (particularly on their first album)
come to mind as comparisons, as well as, most obviously, Soft
Machine, but Out of Focus certainly retained a distinct style,
particularly by way of the lilting flute prominence. While the
band’s peak was undoubtedly achieved on their third release,
the masterful double album Four Letter Monday Afternoon, their
second, self-titled release is certainly a very solid stepping
stone to that landmark recording. -
Greg Northrup [March 2003]
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Here for Tracklist and Lineup Info
Rat
Roads (1972)
[CD - Garden of Delights CD 064 - 2002]
Once again, Germany’s Garden of Delights uncovers another in a
series of appreciated archival recordings from the legendary underground
German rock scene of the 70s. Rat Roads marks the second
such release from the seminal jazz-rock combo Out of Focus, hot
on the heels of the Not Too Late set from a few years back.
With that said, Rat Roads is by no means second-tier in
comparison, either to the previous archival set, or to the band’s
classic studio recordings. All of the music on Rat Roads
is drawn from the same studio session that produced what is quite
possibly the group’s most enduring recording, the expansive double
album Four Letter Monday Afternoon.
By the time the
listener is immersed in the blazing organ and fiery brass of
the second track here, "Table Talk," it’s clear that
these pieces were not left off the original album for lack of
quality, but for lack of space. The studio sessions that produced
Four Letter Monday Afternoon were held at a lakeside
residence in the German countryside, without a producer, and
with a virtual carte blanche in terms of creative freedom from
their record company. It’s quite telling that the inspiration
and ideas of the group were so abundant at the time that not
even a double album was able to document them in full. As such,
Rat Roads serves as an essential compliment to that classic
album. Indeed, the sound quality here is impeccable, and, more
importantly, the performance and composition is energetic and
inspired. While there are more vocals on a few of the tunes
than would perhaps be necessary, particularly given the distracting
accent of the singer, Rat Roads is nevertheless an important
document; showcasing one of Germany’s finest progressive rock
bands at the apex of its creativity. -
Greg Northrup [March 2003]
Click
Here for Tracklist and Lineup Info
