German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk are due to re-issue some of their classic albums in a new box set.
Way back in the late 60s anyone who veered away from the twelve bar was seen as a heretic. One can barely imagine, then, the reception afforded to Kraftwerk – a band who let the machines do the talking.
The German pioneers were so far ahead of the game that the band had to invent their own material. Retreating to a hand built studio Kling Klang the group began releasing a series of classic albums that did nothing less than revolutionise music.
Without Kraftwerk electronic music as we know it would be radically different. It’s that simple. The band are set to re-issue that glorious run of albums in a new box set, which gathers most of their recorded material.
Ignoring their first three albums – generally accepted as existing outwith the Kraftwerk canon – the new box set contains the band’s finest material. Beginning with 1974’s ‘Autobahn’ the box set contains: 1975’s ‘Radio-Activity’, 1977’s stone classic ‘Trans-Europe Express’, 1978’s ‘The Man Machine’, 1981’s ‘Computer World’, 1986’s ‘Techno Pop’, the 1991 remix comp ‘The Mix’, and 2003’s ‘Tour De France’.
Of course, those final three albums are not the product of Kraftwerk’s classic line up, with the group now reduced to just one original member. But with the German pioneers set to storm Bestival in a fortnight’s time this is worthwhile reminder of some truly groundbreaking music.
Each album will also be issued as an individual title, with spruced up sound and glossy packaging. Of course, you’ll want the whole thing to chart the evolution of this stunning band, with box set ‘12345678: The Catalogue’ due for release soon.
No extra bonus material has yet emerged, which means that fans will have to make do with the original albums. Which is no shame, as anyone who has heard that golden run of material will testify.
Kraftwerk are set to release ‘12345678: The Catalogue’ is due for release on October 6th.
