Released in 1973 on bacillus records, “Sweat And Swim” was the fifth and final album of Krokodil‘s original 1969-1974 incarnation and stands as one of the most ambitious and eclectic recordings in the band’s catalogue.
Founded in Zurich in 1969 by Düde Dürst, Hardy Hepp, Walty Anselmo, Terry Stevens and Mojo Weideli, Krokodil quickly established itself as one of Switzerland’s pioneering Progressive Rock bands. While often associated with the international Krautrock movement, the group always maintained a musical identity of its own, drawing equally from Blues, Folk, Psychedelia, Improvisation and Rock’n’Roll. As drummer Düde Dürst later recalled, the band deliberately avoided merely copying Anglo-American models, preferring instead to develop an original and highly flexible musical language.
Following three albums for Liberty/United Artists and the 1972 release “Getting Up For The Morning,” Krokodil entered Dierks Studios once again under the guidance of producer Peter Hauke to record what would become their final studio statement of the classic era. Originally issued as a double album, “Sweat And Swim” presents the band at the height of its creative powers.
Musically, the album moves effortlessly between extended Progressive excursions, roots-oriented songwriting and spontaneous improvisation. Alongside original material, Krokodil unexpectedly incorporated reinterpretations of songs by Bob Dylan, Arthur Crudup and Kris Kristofferson, reflecting the group’s renewed interest in Rhythm & Blues and American roots music. At the same time, expansive pieces such as the seventeen-minute “Linger” demonstrate the band’s continuing commitment to adventurous structures and collective improvisation.
The album also documents the final appearance of harmonica and flute player Mojo Weideli on a Krokodil studio album and captures the original line-up shortly before the band’s first dissolution in 1974. Many collectors and reviewers consider “Sweat And Swim” one of the most distinctive Swiss Progressive Rock albums of the era, notable for its stylistic openness and refusal to conform to genre expectations.
Originally released in 1973, “Sweat And Swim” remains an essential document of early European Progressive Rock and a fitting conclusion to the classic chapter of Krokodil‘s remarkable career.
This release is part of the bacillus records archive on Bandcamp.
Purchase “Sweat And Swim” on Bandcamp:
Tracklist:
01. Talking World War III Blues 04:45
02. All I Ever Wanted 05:06
03. Daybreak 08:28
04. Skylab 06:09
05. Two To Twelf 05:44
06. That’s All Right, Mama 04:57
07. Linger 17:40
08. Little Girl 04:59
09. Billy Dee 04:03
10. There You Stand Entangled 07:18
Produced by Peter Hauke/Krokodil
All titles arranged by Krokodil
Recorded 9. – 13. May 1973 in Stommeln, Germany
Engineer: Dieter Dierks
Cover Design: Dűde Dűrst
Photography: Rene Leutweyler
Lineup:
Walty Anselmo
Dűde Dűrst
Moyo Weideli
Terry Stevens
Special Thanks to:
Rainer Marz
Vait Faiden (Copurtesy by Ariola)
Hardy Hepp (Courtesy by WEA/ Warner Bros.)