Missing Link was a German band that had a short life in the early 1970s, releasing a single album that mixes Prog and Jazz with a Kraut twist. The band was formed in 1971 in Munich, the city of origin of bassist Dave Schratzenstaller and from which numerous German Psychedelic and Prog projects were born. the lineup was completed with Holger Brandt on drums, Gunther Latuschik on saxophone, Markus Sing on guitar, singer Gabriel Dominik Mueller and Dieter Miekautsch on keyboards. The band showed off thanks to excellent live performances and were noticed by Gerhard Augustin who was already directing Amon Duul II, and offered them a record deal. In 1972 the band began recording their debut album, consisting of seven tracks recorded in Dieter Dierks’ studio in Stommein. Entitled “Nevergreen” and released by United Artists, this work is a real jewel of German music, of which 2000 copies were printed. In 1973 the single “Friday On My Mind” was released again for the same label, of which probably 1000 copies were printed. Unfortunately, the band’s second and third albums were never recorded as the label ran out of funds due to overspending and closed its doors. Together with the label, the band also shipwrecked, which in the last periods of activity seemed to have also lost the brilliance of live performances, performing in the USA with an ever-increasing repertoire of covers. In 1973 the band separates definitively and the artists take different paths, Holger Brandt collaborates as a member of Gert Westphal and Between and later with Sahara. Dieter Miekautsch was the most active after the separation, appearing on the second album by Missus Beastly, on the only album by Real Ax Band and in three works by Embryo. Markus Sing and Konstantin Wecker continued playing together in Wecker‘s support band, Dave Schratzenstaller moved to the USA, while Gabriel Dominik Mueller pursued an acting career. A very valid album from a musical point of view and a band that would have deserved better luck, technically very valid and whose live performances were very engaging especially in the initial phase. Like many other artists of the time, due to bad management by the label owners they did not get the recognition and success they deserved. This great album was reissued twice in 2000 and 2005 on CD for Garden Of Delights and Living In The Past with the addition of bonus tracks. A band that after 50 years deserves to be discovered or rediscovered and re-evaluated, although expressed in the only album released the sounds and quality are of a high level, a real Hidden Rarity.
Discography
[1972] Nevergreen (United Artists)
[1973] Friday On My Mind (United Artists)
Lineup
Markus Sing / Electric, Acoustic, Twelve-String Guitar
Dieter Miekautsch / Piano, Organ, Mellotron
Holger Brandt / Drums, Percussion
Dave Schratzenstaller / Bass
Günther Latuschik / Tenor, Soprano, Alto Saxophone
Gabriel Dominik Mueller / Vocals
