A psychedelic symphony of sorts, Achim Reichel and Machines’ 1973 release, IV, is one of the most impressive psychedelic records to have ever been released in Germany. Achim Reichel indulges his self-described “echo guitar” style wherein he composes music by overlaying repetitive and reverberated melodies. The entire record is essentially one entire track that is partitioned into four parts, or movements, that could unashamedly be described as a Baroque Suite on LSD. The music here accumulates as more and more instruments-among them recorder and a sports whistle-are incorporated, yet it never becomes convoluted-the record is only mellifluous and smooth, discretely transitioning into new melodies as it carries on. Tempo changes drastically and you never even notice-AR IV incorporates the listener into this narrative that the sound that it has devised. A.R. and Machines is another one of those outfits that could be considered to Krautrock what Krautrock was to German “Schlager”(an embarrassing rip-off of American acts such as Elvis Presley that existed in part due to Germany’s loss of cultural identity after WWII). You could consider this a revolution of the revolution. Even Achim Reichel’s lyrics are fantastic: “Wayyyyyy down yonder, in the vaginaaaaa of Earth!”
Personnel:
Achim Reichel- Composer, Mixer, Guitar [Echo]
Hans Hartmann - Double Bass
Hans Boche-Drums
Claus-Robert Kruse- Electric Piano
Helmuth Franke-Guitar
Matti Klatt -Percussion (tracks: A1a to A1c)
Olaf Casalich -Percussion tracks: A1a to A1c)
Frank Wulf -Recorder, Recorder [Bass], Sitar -(tracks: A1a to A1c)
Jochen Petersen -Saxophone [Soprano], Flute
http://endless-sound.blogspot.co.il/2010/12/ar-and-machines-iv1973.html
