“Movies” by Holger Czukay - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1979 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Can's co-founding bassist quit the group late in 1977, allowing himself time for a break and leaving himself free to explore the solo ideas that he felt were not being fully appreciated within the group, all to do with his passion for creating sound from objects, media samples and tape loops. “Persian Love” features a short-wave radio pick up of an obscure Iranian singer! “Movies”, his solo debut, arrived in 1979, a painstakingly assembled affair, and a fascinating listen. The split with Can doesn't seem to have damaged relationships too much; Jaki Liebezeit plays drums and congas throughout and Michael Karoli (guitar) and Irmin Schmidt (grand piano) appear for “Oh Lord Give Us More Money”. Languid album closer “Hollywood Symphony” is delightful, featuring Holger's whispered and spoken vocals and a whole host of wobbles, washes, twinkles and trembles which stimulate the senses over the course of the somewhat bonkers 15 minutes. “Hello darling, have you heard the news” is one movie sample which makes me laugh out loud; the playfulness is a recurring feature of the LP, not something Can were renowned for. Anything Lee Perry can do, Holger Czukay can do just as well.

The Jukebox Rebel
19–Mar–2016

Tracklist

A1	[04:48] Holger Czukay - Cool In The Pool (Holger Czukay) Cerebral Pop
A2	[13:18] Holger Czukay - Oh Lord Give Us More Money (Holger Czukay) Prog
B1	[06:20] Holger Czukay - Persian Love (Holger Czukay) Dubbeat
B2	[15:14] Holger Czukay - Hollywood Symphony (Holger Czukay) Prog

ratings by TJR