Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189347 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

A perfect summary of Rother's career
Before the brief review here is the track listing
1. "Die Ganze Welt (World mix)" - 3:55
2. "Palmero Tango" - 3:20
3. "Tiefenschärfe 1993 (Trance Remix)" - 3:20
4. "Andenexpress" - 2:50
5. "Nachtpassage (Chill Remix)" - 3:51
6. "Flammende Herzen" - 3:51
7. "Karussell" - 2:55
8. "Sonnenrad" - 3:15
9. "Sterntaler" - 3:40
10. "Katzenmusik 9" - 3:24
11. "Katzenmusik 5" - 3:38
12. "Silberstreif" - 3:52
13. "Hohe Luft" - 3:13
14. "Palmengarten" - 2:47
15. "Primadonna" - 3:14
16. "Süβherz" - 3:32
17. "Glitzerglanz" - 3:13
18. "Lichtermeer" - 3:30
19. "Südseewellen" - 3:18
20. "Morning Sun" - 3:09
21. "Flammende Herzen (Film-Remix)" - 3:55

In 1993 after a break in his career (his previous album "Traumreisen" was released in 1987), Rother reissued his entire solo back catalogue. Each album came with sleeve notes, bonus tracks, and remasters (something that until recently had been neglected - we were told that cds would offer us more, but for most of the 90s only straight reissues seemed to be released).

The compilation opens with five newer tracks, this is a smart move as it gives the compilation a stronger musical arc. The music then, begins electronic and littered with samples, as the rest of the back catalogue is heard chronologically the music becomes more organic and slowly elements of the initial tracks filter back into the mix.

It is noteworthy to mention that this album is made up completely of radio edits (hence the title), so even owners of all Rothers albums can enjoy a new version of his career. Every album of his career is represented by two tracks. Personally, I am quite new to Rother's music having discovered him through Neu and Kraftwerk. I prefer the material from "Flammende Herzen" (1977), "Sterntaler" (1978), and "Katzenmusik" (1979). These 6 tracks have much more pronounced guitar, and are not dissimilar to Neu. Fans of Neu would probably already know that their final album "Neu! 75", was essentially two solo efforts - side 1 Rothers, and side 2 - Dingers. The early Rother albums do feel like the kinds of material heard on side 1 of "Neu! 75", you might want to consider how much you like Rother's vision of Neu before purchasing this album.

At heart though Rothers blend of melodic guitar instrumentals are removed from Neu. The Arrangements become more and more accomplished, to the extent that on later tracks the music does not fit with the rock scene. Overall this is a brilliant collection, and a very good place to start, if your new to Rother but have tried Neu you might be better served beginning with "Flammende Herzen", for one it fits in with the 'Krautrock' scene of the mid 70s, and in its more electronic moments comes across somewhere between ideas of "Neu! 75" and the gentler sections of Kraftwerk's "Trans Europa Express".