This album "NEU! '75" is the debut album by the German Krautrock band Neu!. It was recorded and mixed at Conny Plank's studio between December 1974 and January 1975.
Conny Plank (Birth-name: Konrad Plank )
Conny Plank was a visionary and influential music producer, sound engineer, and musician. Born as Konrad Plank on 3 May 1940, in Hütschenhausen, Germany, he would go on to revolutionize the world of music production and leave an indelible mark on the industry. Throughout his career, Plank became synonymous with innovation and experimentation, pushing boundaries and shaping the sound of countless artists across various genres.
Plank's passion for music began at an early age. He grew up in a musical household, with his father being an accomplished pianist. Inspired by his father's talent and love for music, Plank developed a deep appreciation for sound and its creative possibilities. In his teenage years, he became interested in electronics and began experimenting with audio equipment, building his own amplifiers and speakers.
In the late 1960s, Plank established his own studio, the legendary Conny's Studio, located in the remote countryside near Cologne, Germany. The studio quickly gained a reputation as a hub for avant-garde and experimental music. Plank's approach to production was marked by a unique blend of technical expertise and artistic intuition. He embraced new technologies and techniques, constantly pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible in the studio.
Plank's breakthrough moment came in the early 1970s when he collaborated with the influential German rock band Kraftwerk. He produced their landmark albums "Autobahn", "Radio-Activity", and "Trans-Europe Express", which showcased his ability to merge electronic sounds with traditional rock instrumentation. Plank's meticulous attention to detail and his talent for sculpting sound helped create the distinct and futuristic sound that would define Kraftwerk's music.
Following his success with Kraftwerk, Plank's reputation grew, and he became sought after by artists from around the world. He worked with a diverse range of musicians, including Brian Eno, Neu!, Can, Cluster, Devo, and many others. Plank's production style emphasized collaboration and experimentation. He believed in creating a comfortable and inspiring environment for artists, encouraging them to explore new ideas and sounds.
One of Plank's notable collaborations was with British musician Brian Eno, with whom he worked on several influential albums, including "Before and After Science" and "Cluster & Eno". Their partnership resulted in groundbreaking sonic landscapes that combined ambient textures with pop sensibilities, setting the stage for the development of ambient music.
Tragically, Conny Plank's career was cut short by his untimely death on 18 December 1987, at the age of 47. Despite his relatively short career, Plank's impact on the music industry was immeasurable. His innovative production techniques and sonic experiments laid the foundation for many subsequent musical movements, from electronic music to post-punk and beyond.
Conny Plank's legacy continues to inspire musicians and producers to this day. His willingness to challenge the status quo, his openness to new ideas, and his unwavering commitment to sonic exploration remain a testament to his enduring influence. Plank's contributions to music production and his ability to shape the sound of an era make him an irreplaceable figure in the history of popular
Album Description & Collectors information: Gatefold (FOC) cover design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages
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Music Genre: |
Krautrock, Acid, Psych |
Album Production Information: |
The album: "NEU! '75" was produced by: Neu! and Conrad Plank This album was recorded at: Conny's Studio Dec '74 - Jan 75 Album concept: Klaus Dinger Michael Rother Album cover photography: Thomas Dinger, Dieter Eickel Roth |
Record Label Information: |
EMI Electrola 7243 5 30782 1 8 / Brain Motor Music |
Media Format: |
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 280 gram |
Year & Country: |
1975 Made in EU |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: NEU! '75 |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "NEU! '75" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "NEU! '75" is:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"NEU! - '75" Black Colour Brain Record Label Details: Brain records
NEU! is a legendary German band that played an instrumental role in the development of the Krautrock genre and left an indelible mark on the history of progressive rock music. Formed in 1971 by Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother, NEU! was one of the most influential bands in the German underground music scene, and their music has been praised for its experimentation and innovation. This web-page will provide an overview of the history of NEU! and their musical style, and will explore their influence on the development of progressive rock.
History
Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother were both members of the influential German band Kraftwerk, but left to form NEU! in 1971. Their first album, NEU!, was released in 1972 and was a critical success. The band followed up with two more albums, NEU! 2 and NEU! '75, before disbanding in 1975 due to creative differences between Dinger and Rother. They briefly reunited in the 1980s to release two more albums, NEU! 4 and NEU! '86, but never achieved the same level of success as their earlier work.
Musical Style
NEU!'s music is characterized by its experimentation and use of repetition, which was a departure from the traditional rock music of the time. They utilized electronic and acoustic instruments in equal measure, and their use of drum machines was particularly influential. The band's sound is often described as "motorik," which refers to the steady, driving beat that underpins many of their songs. This sound has been compared to the sound of a train or a motor running, and has been widely imitated in the years since NEU! disbanded.
Influence on Progressive Rock
NEU! was one of the most influential bands in the development of the Krautrock genre, which emerged in Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band's use of repetition and electronic instruments was particularly influential on the development of electronic music and ambient music, and their influence can be heard in the music of bands like Kraftwerk, Can, and Tangerine Dream. NEU!'s influence on the development of progressive rock is particularly evident in the music of bands like Radiohead and Sonic Youth, who have cited the band as a major influence.