Skip to content
Our blog site is continuously expanding with posts about cosmic, psychedelic and progressive music, with a focus on collector information about interesting artists and albums
CPG Books Logo
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
0

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact

CPG Books Logo
0

No products in the cart.

Cosmic Music, Krautrock, Progressive, Underground, Vertigo, Vinyl

Agitation Free

by CPG BOOKS
/
2021-03-262021-03-29

Together with TANGERINE DREAM and ASH RA TEMPEL, AGITATION FREE formed the spearhead of the Berlin underground of the late 60s. Their experiments, oscillating between free rock, electronic music, ethno influences and free jazz, set them apart from inferior imitators of Anglo-American models and earned them a tour of the Middle East sponsored by the Goethe Institute even before their first LP, the impressions of which were processed on their debut Malesch – appropriately released on the German Vertigo label (6360 607)in 1972.

Malesch is Egyptian and means something like “don’t mind it”, but primarily stands for a relaxed, Mediterranean attitude to life that is widespread in the Mediterranean region. This relaxed ambience runs through the whole album, with “Ala Tul” being by far the most upbeat track on it, musically retracing a foray through Cairo’s bazaars.

Agitation Free were one of the handful of bands that made Berlin clubs like Zodiac, Quasimodo and Sun what they were: serious competition for famous psychedelic venues like London’s U.F.O. or Amsterdam’s Melkweg.

However, Agitation Free had their most loyal audience – like many of the harder-to-digest Kraut bands, by the way – in France, where they were also seen more often than in Germany. The band wrote music for TV productions, scored various radio plays for the RIAS Berlin and SFB stations and performed several one-hour live shows specially arranged for ARD stations such as WDR, NDR and SFB.

Their second album, 2nd, was also released in 1973 on the German Vertigo label (6360 615) with the iconic Swirl logo. This album sounds even more mature than the first, even if – similar to POPOL VUH – you have to bring along a lot of patience & leisure to explore the extended soundscapes.

The tiresome drug problem (all kinds), musical differences (all kinds) and private animosities caused by constant touring led to high personnel fluctuation, frustration and in 1974 finally to resignation and decomposition of one of the most creative formations of KRAUT.

In 1976, the LP Last was released posthumously on the French Barclay label, consisting of concert recordings from 1973 & 1974. On this album the band presents itself once again in top form.

In 1995, it was again the French who dug up previously unreleased studio recordings from 1974 with Fragments.

In 1998 and 2000, the self-proclaimed Lord-Seal-keeper of the Krautorden, WALTER NOWICKI, released the CDs At The Cliffs Of River Rhine and The Other Side Of Agitation Free on his label Garden Of Delights, documenting all the previously unreleased live and studio activities of the band in astonishingly good sound quality. Agitation Free thus became the only German KRAUT band to have twice as many first releases in the 90s as in the 70s.

UK 2021, basic text by Werner Voran (†) 2004


Share:
Categories: Cosmic Music, Krautrock, Progressive, Underground, Vertigo, Vinyl
Tags: Agitation Free, Krautrock, Malesch, Swirl, Vertigo
Previous Article
Next Article

Shop

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Revocation
  • Payment Methods
  • Shipping & Delivery

Partner-Links

  • Halvmall Verlag
  • Krautrock Musikzirkus
  • Garden of Delights
  • German Rock e. V.
  • Krautrock.com
  • Krautrockseite.de
  • Vertigo Swirl Website

Secure payment

CPG Books Logo
  • Legal Information
  • Privacy
×
CPG Books Logo

Login

Lost your password?

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Outside of the shop functionality of our website, no personal data is stored (e.g. by an analysis tool).
ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT