Sulatron Records celebrates the return of this exceptional jam collective with their sophomore release. Following the success of their sold-out debut “Bügeln” (January 2024), three musicians from three of the most creative Psych bands in the German-speaking world reunited for recording sessions at Buffbergen Studios in Hanover during late January 2023. The sessions yielded hours of music ranging from hard riffs to spherical ambient soundscapes, showcasing the remarkable interplay of these three experienced musicians. The lineup features Marcel Cultrera (Speck) on guitar, effects, and space echo; Tommy Handschick (Kombynat Robotron, Earthbong) on drums; and Dave Schmidt, better known as Sula Bassana (Zone Six, Interkosmos, ex-Electric Moon) on bass, effects, and synthesizer. Sula mixed the selected jams into two sidelong journeys, with mastering handled by the legendary Eroc. The album is pressed on 180-gram black recycled vinyl, limited to 500 copies with download code, plus a special Sulatron shop-exclusive edition of 100 copies on two-color corona vinyl with poster (now sold out). “Strömung,” the opening epic, immediately establishes the album’s sonic territory—a masterful convergence where classic Krautrock aesthetics meet contemporary Psychedelic exploration. Across its extended runtime, the trio navigates through shifting tonal landscapes with the confidence of seasoned improvisers, each musician bringing distinctive elements from their respective projects into the collective sound. The track operates on multiple levels: the foundation laid by Handschick‘s propulsive, motorik-influenced drumming and Schmidt‘s rumbling bass creates a hypnotic backbone, while Cultrera‘s guitar work alternates between lysergic drift and moments of unexpected heaviness. What distinguishes this piece is its organic architecture—the way it breathes and evolves without losing coherence. The interplay between Schmidt‘s synthesizer washes and Cultrera‘s space echo treatments creates immersive, Cosmic soundscapes that recall the pioneering German Electronic explorers, yet the trio never sacrifices visceral Rock energy for atmospheric indulgence. There’s a palpable tension between structure and spontaneity, between the meditative and the intense, that keeps the extended composition dynamic throughout. The Heavy sections erupt naturally from the Psychedelic haze, demonstrating the intuitive understanding these musicians share. “Welle,” the album’s second expedition, pushes the experimental boundaries even further while maintaining the sonic DNA established in the opener. Here, the emphasis shifts toward more pronounced acid textures and enveloping sonic Experimentation. The trio demonstrates remarkable restraint and vision, allowing space and silence to become active compositional elements rather than mere absence. Schmidt‘s synthesizer work becomes more prominent, generating otherworldly textures that intersect with Cultrera‘s guitar explorations in fascinating ways. The production choices shine particularly bright on this track—the careful layering of sounds, the judicious use of effects, and the preservation of the organic, live-session feel all contribute to its success. Handschick‘s drumming here showcases his ability to anchor the proceedings while leaving room for the more adventurous sonic excursions happening around him. The piece builds and recedes with natural fluidity, creating a journey that feels both meticulously crafted and wonderfully spontaneous. The acid-drenched passages never devolve into formless noise; instead, they serve the composition’s greater arc, demonstrating the mature musicianship at work. “Strömung” stands as compelling evidence that the spirit of exploratory Rock music remains vital and relevant. Minerall has achieved something remarkable here: they’ve created an album that honors the legacy of German Cosmic Music while sounding entirely contemporary and personal. The individual pedigrees of these three musicians—each a respected figure in the modern Psychedelic underground—combine to create something greater than the sum of its parts. This isn’t nostalgia or pastiche; it’s living, breathing music that exists firmly in the present while acknowledging its lineage. The album’s two extended pieces demonstrate that the jam-based approach, when executed by musicians of this caliber, can yield results that are both deeply immersive and structurally satisfying. The spontaneity captured during those January 2023 sessions has been carefully curated and mixed into a cohesive statement that demands repeated listening. Each spin reveals new details, new pathways through the sonic terrain. For listeners versed in the tradition of Krautrock, Space Rock, and Psychedelic exploration, “Strömung” offers familiar pleasures executed at an exceptionally high level. For those newer to these territories, it serves as an ideal entry point—challenging without being inaccessible, experimental without being alienating. Minerall has crafted an album that succeeds both as a studio artifact and as a document of inspired musical conversation. In an era where genuine collaborative magic can feel increasingly rare, “Strömung” reminds us of the power that emerges when experienced, visionary musicians lock into a shared frequency.
Purchase “Strömung” here: https://www.sulatron.com/xoshop/lng/en/vinyl/minerall-stroemung-lp-dl.html
Purchase Digital Version on Bandcamp:
Tracklist
01. Strömung (19:35)
02. Walle (20:23)
Lineup
Marcel Cultrera (Speck) / Guitar, Effects and Space Echo
Tommy Handschick (Kombynat Robotron, Earthbong) / Drums
Dave Schmidt – Sula Bassana (Zone Six, Interkosmos, ex-Electric Moon) / Bass, Effects, and Synthesizer