COVER OF THE WEEK

Cover # 27 is Ralf & Florian by the German pioneers of electronic music; Kraftwerk. A suitable choice as the group this year has been active and done one of their few world tours.

Named after the founders and back then only members of the group; Ralf Hutter and Frank Florian, who both studied classical music at the Conservatory in Dusseldorf.

They had already recorded three albums together, two under the name Kraftwerk. It was 1973 and the this third Kraftwerk album became the record to make them known to a bigger audience. The follow-up called Autobahn would break them worldwide. But that was still a year away.

They had bought a bunch of new electronic instruments, among them a Mini-Moog, and the record is more electronic than their previous ones. At the same time it's lusher as opposed to the industrial, mechanical sound that would come later on.
The record is also a step towards more accesible music. "Pop" if you like.

Producer of the recording sessions were legendary Conrad Plank.

The cover shows Ralf & Florian in a black and white photo looking very much like the enigmatic musical nerd type they've cultivated since day one.

The back cover is a color photo sitting facing each other surrounded by musical instruments in what looks like a recording studio.

The LP was discountinued in the early 80s and has never been officially released on CD. Especially the original German pressing on the Philips label is popular among collecors. It features a large fold out poster with drawings and art by Florian and friend and sometimes musician Emil Schult.

Take a look at some of the art here!

Make us an offer and we just might be tempted enough to sell it! But know that the release is selling for $337 on the Internet (July, 2004)...

N.S.