MOEBIUS – “TONSPUREN” (1983)
Dieter Moebius was one half of the wildly influential Krautrock duo Cluster, and has also collaborated over the years with Brian Eno, Konny Plank, Michael Rother (of Neu!), and many others. His most prolific period was from the mid-’70s to the early ’80s, where he put out records with Cluster, Harmonia, “Moebius & Plank”, “Cluster & Eno” and other permutations.
While in Cluster, Moebius seemed to be the one producing the more rhythmic percussive elements, while his partner, Hans Joachim Roedelius, seemed to be the one making the more ambient, floaty parts. I say “seemed to” because in reality I have no idea which one of them did what; I’m merely going by what their solo records sound like — Moebius’s are full of semi-skronky beats, while Roedelius’s are full of ambient floaty things!
“Tonspuren”, Moebius’s third solo album, is an interesting proto-techno trip full of relatively short songs that have that trademark Moebius “thing” that Allmusic describes as “an assortment of creaking, chirping and wheezing synthesizer lines.”
I’ll have to say that I’m more into Roedelius’ solo work. But this album is rad. Thanks!
–Maury