This is the first official reissue of this extremely rare album, originally released in 1978 on the Brutkasten label. A very varied fusion album, ‘Im Tal Der Emmen’ blends Embryo and Zappa/Mothers like rock and jazz mixtures, with a rich instrumental palette, full of solos and invention.
Mostly it intended to sound like an instrumental Out Of Focus (Freeman Brothers in ‘The Crack In The Cosmic Egg’). The album has this charming kraut/fusion style. The sextet line-up resulted in a very rich sound with technical drumming, smooth instrumental interactions and loose executions on flute, guitars and organ, not to mention the scratching sax soloing of Mandi Riedelbauch (who also played on Marsupilami’s ‘Arena’ album from 1971).
Moreover there are slight psychedelic underlines over a jazzy attitude, typical of the kraut rock stylings, featuring steady but frenetic rhythmic parts over extended instrumental solos. The band had however a good sense of melody to support their jazzy style with melodic trombones and some delicate flute lines in the more mellow segments. Every track in here seems to have its own hero, no matter if it’s the keyboardist, the flutist or the sax player. They do remind of classic acts such as Kraan and Embryo pretty often with a touch of Supersister in the furious interplays.
Interesting and at moments fascinating kraut fusion with decent interplays and plenty of well-performed solos. Recommended both to krautrock and jazz/fusion fans (Apps79, Progarchives reviewer).
The LP comes with 6-sided cover sized insert sheet with bandstory, many photos and other memorabilia.