Legendary German Jazz Rock/Krautrock band Kraan to release their new album “Zoup” vinyl edition on January 19, 2024 via Bassball Recordings, the Digital version was out on November 24, 2023.
After several solo adventures, Kraan‘s new album “Zoup” has brought them back to where those in the know usually categorise them musically: somewhere between Krautrock, Ethno and Jazz. The Ulm-based combo was founded 52 years ago by bassist Hellmut Hattler, guitarist Peter Wolbrandt and drummer Jan Fride. The group’s sound has always been characterised primarily by Hattler‘s robust bass playing and the fact that most of the compositions are instrumental. This is Fusion Rock de luxe all over again! A YouTube fan of the band recently raved, and rightly so: “Kraan is: German precision meets German anarcho, that’s beautiful man.” Or, to explain it a little less ecstatically with Hattler, but no less satisfied: “We’ve always been – and now once again especially – haphazardly happy with what we do!“
Keyboardist Ingo Bischof was with the group until 1975 – 2007. He passed away in 2019. Out of respect for his work, the keyboard master can still be heard on one track on “Zoup:” “Out of the Clouds.” And – surprise: Kraan‘s original saxophonist Johannes “Alto” Pappert even plays on one of the three CD bonus tracks! To explain the somewhat cryptic album title, Hattler says: “Zoup” is not just a misspelled “soup“. It could also be a concoction into which a lot of influences are poured. In this respect, the term fits the Kraan sound of today perfectly. We always wanted to get away from the definitions of Kraut and Jazz Rock. But you always need a label on the bottle.” Last summer, Hellmut came up with the first ideas for the new album. “I was sitting on the veranda in the sun and was inspired by my own musical DNA. I realised pretty quickly that I was just starting to work on a new Kraan record.” On his solo project Hattler, he always had a lot to do with programming and DJs: “But that was suddenly dead for me. So I went back to my musical roots. That means more melody, harmony, different beats. Once I had the first ideas in shape, I contacted Peter and Jan and asked them if they would like to get involved. They were keen – and it quickly became clear: from now on, it’s all about Kraan.“
The resulting album “Zoup” features nine instrumentals and two vocal tracks, “because we’re still not the most gifted of boy singers,” jokes Hattler; “there are mid-tempo pieces, ballads and this time there’s plenty of snappy, fast stuff too.“
According to Hellmut, the “Kraaniche” see themselves as “kindred spirits” and “creative partners” in equal measure. “It’s funny that after more than fifty years of on-off relationships, we’re always driven together to achieve something that simply can’t be achieved with other constellations. And our loyal fans feel that too – and give us so much approval and strength in return! We never planned what would happen next with Kraan, nor whether ZOUP might be our last production. But if this is to be our ultimate album, it has to sound like an exception, as good as it possibly can – and that could really have worked out!” – Michael Fuchs-Gamböck
Purchase the CD/LP Version here: https://www.bassball.net/shop/kraan/kraan-zoup/
Purchase the Digital Version on Bandcamp: https://kraan.bandcamp.com/album/zoup
Tracklist:
- Zoup (7:14)
- Rainy May (3:36)
- Überstürzter Aufbruch (4:45)
- Weit Und Breit (4:19)
- Twisted (4:57)
- Norwegen Dia (5:04)
- A Skyful Of Veils (4:26)
- Plain Vanilla (4:38)
- Bikinian Rhapsody (4:10)
- Aus Allen Wolken (4:08)
- Norwegen Dia (Acoustic Version) (5:07)
Lineup:
Peter Wolbrandt / Guitars
Jan Fride / Drums, Congas
Hellmut Hattler / Basses, vocals
With:
Martin Kasper / Keyboards, Vocoder
Johannes Pappert / Saxophones (11)
Ingo Bischof / Keys (10)
Juergen Schlachter / Add ons and Percussion
Siyou / Background Vocals
