CLARA MONDSHINE – Luna Africana

Description

CLARA MONDSHINE is a musical project of the late radio director, journalist and composer Walter Bachauer who for example used to work for RIAS Berlin in the 70s and 80s. Mr. Bachauer has also been involved as musician in Projects with electronic artist Peter Michael Hamel and kraut rock act BETWEEN back in the 70s. With CLARA MONDSHINE he was able to score three albums before his untimely passing in 1989 of which “Luna Africana” is the first from 1981 and it fits exactly into that era when the sluggish grinding of the early epic “cosmic music” had finally completely vanished and a new peppy drive could be felt with the spacious soundscapes of electronic music. Still rather low-fi with primitive machine grooves and swirling waves of analogue synthesizers to which some hypnotic drones were tastefully added, this music has learned a lot from the grand masters of the 70s and especially the so called “motorik” style of krautish electronics with rather simple melodic patterns and a very rhythmical approach with all those layers of pulses and drones piled upon repetitive structures to gain an effect on you as the listener which sets you into a state of trance. This music is quite imaginative and picturesque and the trip it will take you on leads you through a dark galaxy where only the starlight guides your vessel. Quite a typical example for the later krautish electronics and certainly a must have for fans of ENO / HARMONIA collaborations, CLUSTER “Zuckerzeit” and other similar “motorik” electronic albums. It also has a KRAFTWERK feel just without the vocals of course. Now this long hidden secret gem is unveiled for your stellar listening pleasure. But beware for some of you might get lost in the depth of outer space.