Kraftwerk

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1999
The "Tour de France" single was issued in 1983, and has never been featured on any Kraftwerk album. This 1999 remaster features the 3 original tracks and a video. The 3 tracks (Radio Version, Kling Klan Mix, Francois K. Remix) is in essence a 16 min non-stop medley of the song, which is a tribute to the greatest bike race on earth (Ralph Hutter and Florian Schneider are themselves bike affectionados). The 3 tracks go back and forth between the basic tune and elaborations on drums and loops, quite mesmorising actually!

This is the last copy!

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1999 / 2009
The centenary of the Tour de France marks the conceptual starting line for Kraftwerk's first album in over a decade. From the chunky cyber-funk of "Vitamin" to the restless metallic shimmers of "Aéro Dynamik," this is emphatically the sound of 21st century techno visionaries. "Displays more intellectual rigor, subtle discipline and attention to detail than many of their younger contemporaries can ever dream of attaining."
This is the remaster version.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1999 / 2009
The centenary of the Tour de France marks the conceptual starting line for Kraftwerk's first album in over a decade. From the chunky cyber-funk of "Vitamin" to the restless metallic shimmers of "Aéro Dynamik," this is emphatically the sound of 21st century techno visionaries. "Displays more intellectual rigor, subtle discipline and attention to detail than many of their younger contemporaries can ever dream of attaining."
This is the remaster Japan version.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 2003   
Conceptual album with themes about the "Tour de France" and cyclism.
It's also a remake of the planned 1983 "Technopop" album which was aborted due to a bycicle accident of Ralf Hütter and the analog-digital upgrade of the Kling Klang Studio. It might be an intimidating album, very minimalistic at some times (like in the very early Kraftwerk records) But don't be afraid, it is a very fine album, some moments of it are really intense and memorable despite the simplicity of the melodies. It is at the end, the best and true old Kraftwerk sound/music. One can only wish that Karl Bartos were still on board. Lets hope this is the first of more "original" work from Kraftwerk, hope also they do not disappear for another 17 years.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 2003
This single is an excellent example of high quality electronic music full with concept. It's truly recognizable Kraftwerk, it doesn't sound outdated though as some net sources try to tell. TDF 03 actually drives, fills you with energy, but, as any other serious record, requires you to listen to it a couple times before you really enjoy and love it. All in all, it's Kraftwerk's new single and one of the 2003 most significant events.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1977
A nostalgic modernity characterized 1977's Trans-Europe Express, the sixth album by the Düsseldorf band Kraftwerk. For the first time, concept and production were solely in the hands of Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Following the retrospective album Radio-Activity, the band now presented themselves in a decidedly European light, in keeping with the theme. The monotony and evocative beauty of a long train journey served as a musical continuation of Autobahn on the European rail network. With this symphonic poem, the band achieved a groundbreaking synthesis of rock and avant-garde by transforming everyday industrial sounds and traffic noises into repetitive percussive patterns. Metallic, danceable drum rhythms created a European funk sound, while the vocals paid homage to their biggest fan, David Bowie, and their idol, Iggy Pop. With "Schaufensterpuppen" (Mannequins) and "Spiegelsaal" (Hall of Mirrors), they parodied their own image as lifeless, robotic stage performers. These romantic impressions stood in stark contrast to the emerging punk movement. No harm done, as it would soon turn out. Just a year later, bands like Throbbing Grisle and Cabaret Voltaire referenced the TEE sounds in their industrial music. And in 1982, a sample from the Trans-Europe Express theme helped Africa Bambaataa achieve his hit "Planet Rock" and Kraftwerk finally achieve chart success.

Here's the version with the German lyrics.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1977 / 2009
Somewhere between the technologically pioneering `Autobahn' in 1974 and the commercial success of `The Man Machine' came the highly accomplished and massively influential `Trans-Europe Express' (TEE). Not only did this spur many embryonic British acts to use synthesizers heavily in their more commercial efforts (Depeche Mode and The Human League amongst many) it also provided inspiration - and illegally used samples - for urban black America. Besides, the track pairing of TEE and `Metal On Metal' ran long enough to allow a DJ time to go to the toilet and the bar before having to change the record. The lyrics are sparse, correctly allowing the music to dominate, but even `Showroom Dummies' caused Debbie Harry to comment that it was "a song I can really relate to." `The Hall Of Mirrors' similarly reflects on fame; TEE mentions other artists that had been drawn to Germany to record at that time - David Bowie and Iggy Pop. I keep trying to convince myself it must sound really dated by now, but both the electronics and the tunes they make stand the test of time and remain atmospheric today. I rate this one of the three best, most influential albums of all time, with `Sgt. Pepper' and `Velvet Underground and Nico' for company. A must for music historians and true pop fans.
This is the remaster German lyrics version.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1977 / 2009
Somewhere between the technologically pioneering `Autobahn' in 1974 and the commercial success of `The Man Machine' came the highly accomplished and massively influential `Trans-Europe Express' (TEE). Not only did this spur many embryonic British acts to use synthesizers heavily in their more commercial efforts (Depeche Mode and The Human League amongst many) it also provided inspiration - and illegally used samples - for urban black America. Besides, the track pairing of TEE and `Metal On Metal' ran long enough to allow a DJ time to go to the toilet and the bar before having to change the record. The lyrics are sparse, correctly allowing the music to dominate, but even `Showroom Dummies' caused Debbie Harry to comment that it was "a song I can really relate to." `The Hall Of Mirrors' similarly reflects on fame; TEE mentions other artists that had been drawn to Germany to record at that time - David Bowie and Iggy Pop. I keep trying to convince myself it must sound really dated by now, but both the electronics and the tunes they make stand the test of time and remain atmospheric today. I rate this one of the three best, most influential albums of all time, with `Sgt. Pepper' and `Velvet Underground and Nico' for company. A must for music historians and true pop fans.
This is the remaster English lyrics version.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 1977 / 2009
Somewhere between the technologically pioneering `Autobahn' in 1974 and the commercial success of `The Man Machine' came the highly accomplished and massively influential `Trans-Europe Express' (TEE). Not only did this spur many embryonic British acts to use synthesizers heavily in their more commercial efforts (Depeche Mode and The Human League amongst many) it also provided inspiration - and illegally used samples - for urban black America. Besides, the track pairing of TEE and `Metal On Metal' ran long enough to allow a DJ time to go to the toilet and the bar before having to change the record. The lyrics are sparse, correctly allowing the music to dominate, but even `Showroom Dummies' caused Debbie Harry to comment that it was "a song I can really relate to." `The Hall Of Mirrors' similarly reflects on fame; TEE mentions other artists that had been drawn to Germany to record at that time - David Bowie and Iggy Pop. I keep trying to convince myself it must sound really dated by now, but both the electronics and the tunes they make stand the test of time and remain atmospheric today. I rate this one of the three best, most influential albums of all time, with `Sgt. Pepper' and `Velvet Underground and Nico' for company. A must for music historians and true pop fans.
This is the remaster English lyrics version as Japan import from Toshiba.

Artist: Kraftwerk
P: 2022
TRIPLE DISC COLLECTION OF RARE RADIO BROADCASTS 1970 - 1981 Formed in 1969 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, Kraftwerk’s contribution to the development of electronic music remains unsurpassed. Having inspired everyone from Bowie to Joy Division and Radiohead to Moby, this strange collective has also proven responsible for entire genres to emerge – electronica, techno and synth-pop to name but three. This new triple disc collection now brings together live recordings from Kraftwerk’s career, featuring radio broadcasts made between 1970 and 1981, the band’s glory years if you will. DISC ONE collects together one of the early two-piece band’s (augmented by a floating coterie of other Dusseldorf musicians) initial commercial gigs, played at the Karussell der Jugend in Soest, Germany, on 15th November 1970, along with a lengthy interview with Schneider during which he explains the roots of the group and equally waxes lyrical about their development and progression across the years. DISC TWO of the set features Kraftwerk’s show performed in Koln in 1975, alongside tracks from their L’Olympia, Paris concert, recorded the following year on 28th February 1976. The set then culminates on DISC THREE with Kraftwerk’s 1981 performance recorded in Tokyo on 7th August 1981.