Moira ~ Germany

Moira (1981)

Here's a title with a long personal history. One of those albums that I "discovered". What do I mean by that? Well I certainly didn't make the music nor was I the first person to own a copy - or even promote at some point in history. But I will take some credit for popularizing it during the internet era. I bought this copy from the German ebay in 2000 back when prices and postage were cheap enough to take chances like this. I knew Moira from their album Crazy Countdown, but never even heard about this title. The cover looked awesome, so why not try for it? And as we know now, the reward was immense. One of those great payoff listens. A year later, I penned the following for Gnosis (edited for relevancy):

---3/17/01

Certainly one of the more obscure bands from the vast Gunderground*, Moira were a fascinating progressive fusion collective formed by veterans of the Krautrock scene including Edgar Hoffman (Embryo) and Butze Fischer (Missus Beastly, Guru Guru, Embryo). Both their albums were recorded for the Schneeball label, the record consortium setup by members of Embryo and Missus Beastly. Musically, Moira fit snugly into the label’s distinct school of fusion and are part of the German “M” scene of jazz rock groups (Morpheus, Missus Beastly, Munju).

For the debut Crazy Countdown (ed: to be reviewed later)... Six years later the group had completely changed hands (see below for more explanation) and actually took on an older, more retro sound when absolutely no one was doing that in 1984. In an era when every band had the most tin-sounding, Casio-like, digital keyboard and every guitarist was going for the pig-squeal guitar hero motif, could a band possibly put an album out with Hammond organ, Moog and wah-wah guitar as its main ingredients? Sounding like a long lost recording from a smoky club in Hamburg, the band let loose with an unpretentious instrumental jazz rock album not found since the glory days of 1974. A truly astonishing release that beats their already excellent debut in every way. The opener Reise Nach Ixtlan** is a side long exercise in organ, analog synth, and guitar jamming with some incredible jazz drumming and a mighty fine bass player. This is followed by the short 'Oase', a flute, drum, and percussion piece that would not have been out of place on Yatha Sidhra’s album. Side two opens with 'Kristall', a more fusion oriented piece with some dirty organ and guitar shredding. 'Einsame Schatten', the only track with singing, follows with a blistering sequence that recalls the early Toto Blanke works. This track continues paradoxically with a funky jazz bit with German vocals recalling Embryo's Bad Heads and Bad Cats in their most silly mood. This section would be the album’s only misstep. The too short closer 'Resume' recalls the ending of Virus’ Revelation album complete with echoed German recitation and acid guitars.

---

That's where the original review ended. Sometime during 2005 I sent over a lot of information to Alan Freeman, who was in touch with Christian Burchard back then (Embryo). He was kind enough to see if he could find out more. The end result is that Burchard had no idea what it was! Between Alan's own discovery and my own, I appended the review in 2006:

---7/28/06

There’s been quite a bit of debate about this second album and its origins/authenticity. Anyone from Ultima Thule’s Cosmic Egg professors to Schneeball label owner/Embryo icon Christian Burchard have shrugged their shoulders and said “no idea?”. But the label clearly says Schneeball with a yellow background. The catalog number of 0025 was presumably used by polit-rockers Hammerfest on Hier Bei Uns, though careful steady shows that album was also on the Maulschnauz label, causing even more confusion. Then there was the small matter that neither album shared similar members. However there is a link: Some copies of Crazy Countdown come with a detailed Moira newsletter. The then current lineup of the band (1978) had already evolved and included one Eberhard Bronner on drums, who is in fact on Reise Nach Ixtlan.

---1/24/24

And that was the last time I revisited Moira's second album. Or really gave it much more thought. Here we are 18 years later, and I'm revisiting the LP for the first time since. Still as great as I remember it. Possibly even better to my ears today as my knowledge and appreciation of jazz rock has gone up considerably since those days. I even appreciate B2, the one song I wasn't as fond of originally.

* - Someone usurped my Gnosis review as the biography on Discogs. Which I'm completely fine with. However, they decided I made a mistake by using the term Gungerground. My response: "Thank you to whoever published my original article. Anyway - Yes, "Gunderground" was correct. That was an old term used by mail order dealers in the 1980s and early 90s. It meant, of course, German Underground. So... can we leave it as I originally published it please? Mucho gracias amigos."

And that was the end of that.

** - The album was sold to me with this title: Reise Nach Ixtlan. That's what I used in my early journal keeping and reviews. However there's no evidence to support that. It was just the first track on the album. Discogs has it correct as self-titled.

---1/30/24

A kind reader from Germany wrote in to state that he bought the record real time - in 1981. That fits with the catalog #. Still not sure if that's when it was recorded. Apparently the 1984 "date" was a reference to George Orwell. 

As it turns out, the album was not released by Schneeball, but rather it was distributed by them, even though Schneeball allocated the current catalog number (0025). Which would explain why the label doesn't feature their "snowball chicken" logo. It's also very clear from some newsletters that have been recently uncovered that the album was indeed their second recording - and it was recorded near the same time, in the same studio, as Didier's Cptn Coffee - who has a similar sound! Finally getting closure on the origins of Moira's second album.

Ownership: 1981 private (LP). 

Hard to believe that this was a $10 record even with expensive German mail order dealers back in the day. They were too caught up with the "1984"* date rather than taking the time to hear the music. 

*Since proven to be incorrect as well.

2000 (first listen); 3/17/01 (review); 7/28/06 (update); 1/24/24 (update)

Also own: Crazy Countdown

1/24/24 (new entry)

V.A. - Umsonst und Draussen - Vlotho '77. 1977 Germany

1. Molle - The Joker 4:30
2. Hammerfest - Jung Siegfried 5:35
3. ES - Today 5:15
4. Checkpoint Charlie - Ausschnitt aus der Geschichte von Herrn Müller 3:55
5. Julius Schittenhelm - Drei Orchideen 3:30
6. Munju - Patscha Menga Underground 8:48
7. Moira - Improvisationen 6:15
8. Funky Bone & The Gang - Higher 7:30
9. Embryo - Getalongwithasong 6:40
10. Real Ax Band - Move Your Ass in Time 5:40
11. Skyline - The Journey 7:49
12. Sadja - Daka Dhin 2:30
13. Einhorn - Einhorn Thema 5:55
14. ES - Fee Forever 1:30
15. Missus Beastly - For Flü 7:28
16. Release Music Orchestra - Sonntag 6:25
17. Ihr - Give Peace a Chance 1:27

1) Gets things off on the wrong foot with an awful cover of the Steve Miller Band classic complete with harmonica leads. Don't know Molle and don't need to. OK, looks like they managed an album called "Kotten". Next...

2) Hammerfest are obviously a core band of the festival, and the April/Schneeball kollektiv. This group has proven hit and miss so far, and I'm ignorant of their actual albums, so what do we get this time? We get the good Hammerfest, where music comes first. Here they show their hand at a more sophisticated progressive blues rock style, with some nice organ and guitar work. Even the vocals are soft focused and not offensive as would normally be the case. Hey, the crowd liked it too!

3) Well, lookee here. I've got a copy of ES' "Wham Bang" album, which is actually not bad at all. ES is made up of members of Tomorrow's Gift and their follow-on group Release Music Orchestra (who are also at this festival). With the funky fusion sounds and female vocals, it appears ES are heavily influenced by Embryo's "Bad Heads and Bad Cats" album as well as The Real Ax Band. 14) is a short thrown in, a harmless female vocal lead piece. Not sure why they felt obligated to toss this in.

4) Checkpoint Charlie are the very definition of politrock. I've had a couple of their albums in the past and they mix complex aggressive punk rock with virulent lyrics. Similar to fellow Germans Oktober. Almost like the Cardiacs but even more angry. Here we pretty much have a spoken word (in German) entry with some nice fusion moves underneath. It would be interesting to hear Checkpoint Charlie with an instrumental album. But that's not what they're about...

5) Features the former Ohr record producer. Even before Dieter Dirks was doing the insane knob twiddling in Berlin, Schittenhelm was phasing bands like Annexus Quam through the hazy fields of madness. As an artist, Schittenhelm is a folk singer - hey, gotta throw a bone to the masters once in awhile and keep them happy.

6) Second year in a row for one of Schneeball's most stalwart bands. As with the '76 concert, Munju covers another track from their debut "High Speed Kindergarten". Here they add an extended percussion sequence as a prequel. Munju were near the top tier of Kraut fusion bands of the era, perhaps slightly behind only Embryo, Missus Beastly and Moira.

7) And speaking of Moira, here's their first appearance on one of these compilations. No points for figuring out this is a loose jam. A quite good one with freaky guitar, flute solos and a driving rhythm. Both of their albums are well worth seeking out. Hopefully one of the great German labels will see fit to reissue them in the near future.

8) Funky Bone & the Gang. I wonder what style of music they'll play? This is their only appearance and not sure if they're related to 1975's The Jack Bone Group. Well they don't sound like they are anyway. Despite the funky disposition, this is pretty tight, with some good sax charts and a little wailing as well. Plenty of guitar soloing thrown in for good measure. Another band I'd like to hear more of.

9) Is the requisite Embryo appearance. They are certainly the "name" band in these festivals and they let absolutely no one down. This is a track that would show up on "Apo Calypso" but in an extended 14 minutes form at that point. Garden of Delights has announced their intention to release Embryo's entire Umsonst concert on CD.

10) Is the title track to Real Ax Band's sole album. They catch a groove early and run with it. If you're unfamiliar with this band, I highly recommend the CD that came out about a decade ago. Definitely recommended to fans of Embryo's "Bad Heads and Bad Cats" and both feature Maria Archer, a superb female vocalist from Ghana.

11) Skyline is back for their second appearance in a row. Again, their live material is far superior to their rather static studio LP. Like the '76 song, this track was also added by GoD on the CD release of "Louise For One Night". I would love hearing these concerts in full, rather than these two snippets.

12) Sadja are an Indian acoustic offshoot of Embryo, and foreshadows their later world fusion efforts that they would pursue more steadfastly in the 1980 and beyond.

13) For me, Einhorn was the big revelation of the 1976 concert. Here, they get a bit more fast and loose with the structure, and there's plenty of unhinged free blow. Though I was a bit unimpressed with this piece, I'd still be most curious if the group has any tapes in storage waiting to be reissued.

15) The other big hitter in the Schneeball lineup along with Embryo, is of course my pet fave group Missus Beastly. This is a track that would show up on their superb "Spaceguerilla",and is a fine representation of their infectious and complex progressive fusion sound.

16) Release Music Orchestra is a relative big name, and this is their first appearance for the free concerts. Only Kraan is missing at this point! Here, they offer a slow and atmospheric jazz piece.

17) is a crowd chant to close the album out.

This set features more released material than prior ones, but overall is still quite good!