Uploaded November 2011 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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Cluster is a lesser known exponent of the early '70's progressive electronic scene from Germany. But when comparing their debut to other electronic pioneering albums, it is not only one of the most impressive ones, it was also far ahead of the better known early works from Tangerine Dream, Schulze and Ash Ra Tempel.
The innovative lead does not come from the way the composed the pieces but from the astonishing electronic sounds that they managed to create. This album sounds like nothing else around that time and like little else since. Only Schulze's Cyborg and TD's Zeit come to mind. Cluster 71 a very dark and haunting work, with subtle layers of sound that weave evocative abstract cosmic patterns. Really, this music sounds as weird as my description is inadequate.

Three experimental electronic pieces made after the departure of Conrad Schnitzler (Kluster). The principles of composition prefigure what we can hear on Cluster II: long abstract & "visceral" soundscapes using echo-machines, microphones, and aleatoric electronic "collages". The music is constantly impressive, giving a certain "claustrophobic" atmosphere. Track 1 starts with electronic noises and repetitive, obsessional electronic patterns. After 5 minutes of tormenting effects, the music includes different primitive synth sounds and cyclical, electronic rotations. No melody here but a very evocative mental picture, maybe the sound of nightmare or bad dreams. The tension goes higher during the last minutes. The pulsation is changing, exploring the place of emotional "trance". Track 2 begins with some vibrant, linear, oppressive industrial sounds, floating into the room. The orchestration features "fuzzy" accentuations, sustained synth chords and some noisy arrangements. As in the previous compositions, the last track contains some minimalist, "hypnotic", circular motifs in the background. A "monochord" surrounds the deep spheric place. We can hear similar materials in Cluster II. Without any doubts the best Cluster with the following one: psycho-electronic works focused on mechanical and organic "assaults".
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