Altona - Chickenfarm. 1975 Germany

This is one of those entirely frustrating albums where the first five tracks offer little, and the last 15 minutes are superb. Opens up just as the album title suggests - in funky chicken land. Some European bands could pull that off. And some couldn't. Altona is of the latter. Much different than the tight jazz rock of the debut. However starting with the instrumental 'Feigenblatt', the album switches gears entirely and reflects back to an older era. Final 10 minute composition proves Altona had plenty left in the tank. Passed this round of cuts anyway.

Ownership: 1975 RCA. Single sleeve. Acquired online in 2014. First time for me to own, even though I had the debut going back to 1990 or so.

2014; 2/3/23 (LP 4.7); 4/7/23 (new entry)

Altona. 1975 Germany

Altona play a tight, energetic styled jazz rock, similar to other Kraut fusion bands such as Moira, Missus Beastly, and Release Music Orchestra. The vocals are gruff in that bluesy way, more akin to what you would hear in the early 1970s from similar genre bands operating in Germany and England. An excellent addition to the collection, if 70s jazz rock with vocals is your fancy.

Ownership: LP: 1975 RCA. Single sleeve. Recent online acquisition (2023). The cover features an interesting contemporary single sleeve cover with manikins mocking American bus tourists (stereotyping of course) visiting the Hamburg section/town of... Altona. I first bought this album in 1991 at a record show in Dallas, but I wasn't as keen on the German jazz fusion sound as I am today. I sold that LP well over 20 years ago, though this one would definitely be an upgrade to that first copy.

CD: 2000 Disconforme (Andorra). The CD itself comes from a vinyl transfer, and could benefit from a new remaster. The liner notes appear to be translations of German newspaper articles that were added. Overall, the reissue will suffice, though I may pickup an original again if I run into one at a reasonable price (mission accomplished - probably will be sold soon).

12/9/14 (new entry); 1/24/23 (LP reacquired)