CAN Krautrock Vinyl Collection - Rare 1970s Albums Featuring Holger Czukay & Damo Suzuki #vinylrecords

CAN Band Description:

Mapping a Restless Journey Through Sound (1969-1991)

German collective Can carved their path as true originals, defying categorization from their inception in 1968. Their blend of relentless rhythmic drive, sonic exploration, and a spirit of "anything goes" improvisation made them central figures in the Krautrock movement – and so much more.

The Damo Suzuki Era: Sculpting Sonic Chaos (1969-1973)

Can's initial era with vocalist Damo Suzuki redefined the possibilities of rock music. "Monster Movie" (1969) signaled their arrival, with Suzuki's unpredictable howls and murmurs woven into the band's hypnotic grooves. "Tago Mago" (1971) is their double-album masterpiece, a sprawling journey where extended jams like "Halleluhwah" cemented their reputation for hypnotic intensity. "Ege Bamyasi" (1972) introduced poppier elements without sacrificing their edge. Suzuki's departure in 1973 marked a significant turning point.

Shifting Tides & Explorations (1974-1979)

Can's lineup, now featuring guitarists Michael Karoli and later Malcolm Mooney on vocals, kept the spirit of exploration alive. "Soon Over Babaluma" (1974) veered into funkier territory, while "Landed" (1975) embraced a more atmospheric approach. The rhythmic pulse remained central, but their palette expanded to incorporate disco-inspired beats on "Flow Motion" (1976) and even hints of reggae on "Saw Delight" (1977). This was a phase of constant reinvention.

Later Years and Reunion (1980s-1991)

In the 1980s, Can's output slowed. "Can" (1979) received a mixed critical response and signaled diminishing commercial success. The band unofficially disbanded in the late 1980s but briefly reformed for 1989's "Rite Time." Hints of their past magic were present but their journey was winding down. Irmin Schmidt's departure in 1991 marked the end of the line.

Mini-biographies of CAN's band-members

Holger Czukay was a German musician and co-founder of the experimental rock band Can. He was born in 1938 and passed away in 2017. He was a bassist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist, and was known for his use of tape loops and electronic techniques in his music. He was also a pioneer in the use of sampling in music.

Czukay was one of the main songwriters and producers in Can and played a crucial role in the band's development of the krautrock genre. He also released several solo albums, which often featured collaborations with other artists and showcased his unique experimental approach to music.

Czukay's work with Can and his solo albums have been cited as major influences by many musicians and bands in various genres, including electronic, experimental, industrial, and alternative.

was a German musician, and guitarist for the experimental rock band Can. He was born in 1948 and passed away in 2001. He was a versatile musician and was known for his use of unconventional guitar techniques and electronic sounds in his music.

Karoli was a founding member of Can, and played a major role in the band's development of the krautrock genre. Along with Holger Czukay and Irmin Schmidt, he was one of the band's main songwriters, and his guitar playing was a key part of Can's sound. He also played violin, bass guitar and sang on some of the band's songs.

Karoli's work with Can has been cited as a major influence by many musicians and bands in various genres, including electronic, experimental, industrial, and alternative. His guitar playing was kno

Jaki Liebezeit Information:

Drums

Jaki Liebezeit was a German drummer and percussionist, and the drummer for the experimental rock band Can. He was born in 1938 and passed away in 2017. He was known for his precise, minimalistic drumming style and his use of electronic drums.

Liebezeit was a founding member of Can and played a major role in the band's development of the krautrock genre. He was known for his unique drumming style, which often involved using a minimalistic approach to create a hypnotic, repetitive rhythm. His style was heavily influenced by African and Middle Eastern rhythms and he was considered one of the most innovative drummers of his time.

Liebezeit's work with Can has been cited as a major influence by many musicians and bands in various genres, including electronic, experimental, industrial, and alternative. He was known for his precise, minimalistic drumming style and his use of electronic drums. His drumming technique and style was considered as one of the most original in rock history.

Irmin Schmidt Information:

Keyboards

Irmin Schmidt a German musician and composer, keyboardist and founding member of the experimental rock band Can. He was born in 1937. He is also known for his work as a solo artist and composer for film and theater.

Schmidt was one of the main songwriters and producers in Can, and his keyboard playing was a key part of the band's sound. He was also known for his use of electronic sounds and unconventional techniques in his music. He was heavily influenced by avant-garde, classical, and world music. He formed Can with Holger Czukay and Michael Karoli in 1968, and the band went on to become one of the leading bands in the genre of krautrock.

After the band's dissolved, Schmidt has released several solo albums, collaborated with various artists and composed music for films and theater. He has also been involved in various other musical projects. His work with Can and his solo albums have been cited as major influences by many musicians and bands in various genres, including electronic, experimental, industrial, and alternative.

Damo Suzuki Information:

Lead Vocals

Damo Suzuki a Japanese musician, the vocalist for the experimental rock band Can during their most productive period in the 1970s. Suzuki joined the band in 1970, after the departure of the band's original vocalist Malcolm Mooney. He sang on several of the band's most well-known albums, including "Tago Mago," "Ege Bamyasi," and "Future Days".

Suzuki's style of singing was characterized by his use of free-form, improvisational vocals, often in a falsetto register, and was considered as one of the most original and avant-garde in rock music. His live performances with Can were known for their intensity and unpredictability, and he was a major contributor to the band's development of the krautrock genre.

After leaving Can in 1973, Suzuki went on to perform with various other bands and musicians, and he continues to perform and record to this day. His work with Can has been cited as a major influence by many musicians and bands in various genres, including electronic, experimental, industrial, and alternative. He is also known for his unique approach to live performances, often singing without a microphone and using the audience's space to create a unique atmosphere.

Michael Karoli Information:

Guitar

Michael Karoli was a German musician and one of the founding members of the experimental rock band Can. Born in 1948, Karoli was a classically trained violinist who transitioned to guitar and became known for his unique, texture-rich approach to the instrument. He was only 20 years old when Can was formed, making him the youngest member of the group.

Karoli’s guitar playing was central to Can's sound—fluid, understated, and often laced with psychedelic and Eastern influences. He frequently combined guitar with violin and vocals, contributing to the band’s constantly shifting musical textures. Not just a performer, he was also deeply involved in Can’s songwriting process, helping shape albums like *Ege Bamyasi*, *Tago Mago*, and *Soon Over Babaluma*.

After Can disbanded in the late 1980s, Karoli continued to perform and record sporadically, sometimes collaborating with his former bandmates. He remained closely associated with the band’s legacy until his death in 2001. Karoli's distinctive guitar style and exploratory spirit remain an enduring influence in experimental and alternative music circles.