{"title":"Embryo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmbryo is a musical collective from Munich, Germany. Founded in 1969 by Christian Burchard and Edgar Hofmann, they quickly gained recognition as one of the most important German jazz-rock bands of the 1970s. Over the past 50 years, Embryo has undergone various lineup changes with an ever-changing international cast of musicians, including talented individuals from North Africa, India, China, and more. They have also collaborated with renowned jazz artists such as Mal Waldron and Charlie Mariano.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1981, Uve Müllrich and Michael Wehmeyer left Embryo to form \"Embryo's Dissidenten,\" which later became known as Dissidenten. Despite these changes, Christian Burchard remained at the helm of Embryo until his passing in 2018 when Marja Burchard took over as the leader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy music from Guru Guru, Agitation Free, Amon Düül II, or other artists within the Krautrock scene, then you will definitely appreciate Embryo's unique sound and contributions to this genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"la-blama-sparozzi","title":"La Blama Sparozzi","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew edition: Remastered, new artwork (gatefold cover instead of cardboard box packaging). Schneeball Records, founded in 1976, has had a lasting impact on music in Germany with its records for at least a decade. In 1981 \u003ci\u003eLa Blama Sparozzi\u003c\/i\u003e was created: A milestone in Embryo? new concept after the huge success of Embryo's Reise which brought the band cult status in the alternative scene. However, the success led to serious ideological disputes among the musicians: what is the value of success in relation to joy in playing and creativity? These internal differences then led to the separation of the Dissidenten. So much for a better understanding of the uncompromising nature with which this 2LP was put together and what a frontal attack it represented against the listening habits of the early 80s. On top of that, it was also an artistic frontal attack on the former colleagues and a radical departure from trend thinking in line with the market. In retrospect, since this point in time at the latest, one can speak of a development towards \"Weltmusik\" with Munich touch\", which many musicians still orientate themselves on and refer to in their work. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a unique selling point compared to the later term \"Worldmusic\", which became a marketing\u003cbr\u003etool for foreign folk and related things, \"Weltmusik\" requires composers and performers to delve deeper into, even study the structures of the music they are currently getting into. Inevitable is the desire and curiosity for foreign cultures and the acquaintance with the local masters: to learn and improvise at eye level, to internalize the way of life and philosophy, and if possible, swinging on the same wavelength, to spiritually feel power from harmony. Another prerequisite for success is compositional work based on joint improvisation. \u003ci\u003eLa Blama Sparozzi\u003c\/i\u003e can convey that: even taking on a connecting role between artists from different continents becomes possible and is one of the most exciting documents on this 2LP. Just as no concert should be the same, this 2LP draws on diversity.\u003cbr\u003eListening habits can be changed, horizons broadened, prejudices reduced: this was the pedagogical approach of the restless composer and band leader Christian Burchard, who traveled to three continents in just a few years with constantly changing line-ups. The versatile multiple and the common whole, with musicians from all over the world, mainly from Africa, and also with Embryo veteran Edgar Hofmann, with the later radio play maker Ulli Bassenge and with\u003cbr\u003eAmon Düül's friend Chris Karrer. Certainly these are not the catchiest pieces, no light listening possible. But: It's unbelievable what has come together here. There is also a memory to Kabul, with Rebabmaster Ustad Omar, who died in 1980, some songs are on it, Grace Yoon sings at the end and Roman Bunka is mostly present, alongside Christian Burchard.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Schneeball Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50475128979787,"sku":"1127438","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/56c5cf62-2d37-4cf8-a8e7-43359ea44697_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727443020"},{"product_id":"auf-auf","title":"Auf Auf","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe late Christian Burchard, who founded the Embryo ensemble in 1969, loved the slogan \"Auf Auf\", German for \"Up, Up\", or \"Keep On Going\". Anyone with anything more than a passing interest in the German Krautock scene of the 1970s and 1980s knows that Burchard followed that intent, all around the world, tirelessly seeking out new sounds and inspirations and creating a catalog of music unlike most anything else the world has ever heard. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMadlib has often said Embryo is his favourite rock band. Of course the hip-hop-producer-with-the-deepest-musical-knowledge knows Embryo is more than just a rock band – but, for the purposes of these notes, let’s keep it simple. When Marja Burchard, Christan’s daughter, who grew up with Embryo and toured with them for years, took the reins of the ensemble after Christian’s death in 2018, she started recording what would become this album, over the course of two years, finishing it in the throes of the Covid pandemic in 2020. She approached Madlib and Egon, who had, years back, visited and jammed with Christian Burchard, and Embryo musicians Uve Mullrich, Roman Bunka and Jan Weissenfeldt, in a Bavarian wine cellar, with the idea to issue \u003ci\u003eAuf Auf\u003c\/i\u003e on Madlib Invazion. The reply was a resounding, definitive “yes.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo here is Marja’s take on the Embryo ethos, continuing with her father’s intrepid style, and leading the band in her own style. \u003ci\u003eAuf Auf \u003c\/i\u003eranges from the deep, free-form jazz of “Alphorn Prayer” to modal music from Afghanistan on “Baran” to psychedelic-tinged jazz-rock of the title track Joining Marja are those like Embryo veterans Bunka, on oud and guitar, and Karl Hector and the Malcouns\/Whitefield Brothers\/Poets of Rhythm producer and guitarist Jan Weissenfeldt and others, including important players on the global scene from Afghanistan and Morocco.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Madlib Invazion","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50479258632523,"sku":"1137070","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/78362945-e9a5-485f-8a7e-14f8abdb7131_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727505326"},{"product_id":"rocksession-3","title":"Rocksession","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most original, layered, and innovative krautrock bands, Embryo fuses traditional ethnic music with their own jazzy space-rock style. Over the course of their decades-long existence, the group has traveled the world, played with hundreds of different musicians, and released dozens of records. Almost every album features different lineups and styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRocksession\u003c\/em\u003e is another Embryo album with material recorded during the sessions between 1971 and 1972. The band wanted to release these songs in 1972. But Embryo's label at the time, United Artists, wasn't so keen, so they recorded \"Father, Son and Holy Ghosts\" first and then used the songs from the previous sessions for \"Rocksessions\" and \"Steig aus\". The line-up (Dave King (b), Christian Burchard (dr), Jimmy Jackson (organ), Mal Waldron (e-piano) on these two albums is almost identical, with the difference that Sigi Schwab was replaced by Roman Bunka on guitar for \"Steig Aus\". \u003cem\u003eRocksessions\u003c\/em\u003e was the first Embryo album on Brain, a very versatile work deeply rooted in the typical jazz-rock of the Krautrock era.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mig Music","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531227730251,"sku":"2214011","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_77d4df1d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728099941"},{"product_id":"opal-1","title":"Opal","description":"\u003cp\u003eA cornerstone in European experimental and popular modern composition! Formed around the core of jazz vibraphonist Christian Burchard and drummer Dieter Serfas, the group started his career in Munich in 1969. More than 300 musicians have passed thru' their ranks, from their colleagues in Amon Duül II (Lother Meid, Chris Karrer, Jimmy Jackson), Xhol (Hansi Fischer), Between (Roberto Detree, Peter Hamel) to renowned jazzmen (Charlie Mariano, Mal Waldron) and countless musicians from around the world (Yoruba Dun Dun Orchester, Okay Temiz and Oriental Wind, Karnataka College Of Percussion, Mahmoud Gania, Xizhi Nie), making Embryo an ever-changing but always interesting collective of musicians. This is where it all began. Originally released by Ohr in 1970, Embryo's legendary debut was an inventive piece of progressive jazz-rock spiced-up with free moves and soaked in a late '60s psychedelic atmosphere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMiles Davis was right, Embryo was more than a unique experience. While talking with Charlie Mariano (the saxophone player was one of the most impressive collaborator of the band)  one day he stated: ‘Embryo - they are these crazy creative musicians playing really weird stuff.’ When you get the blessing from the prince of darkness itself, nothing can go wrong, so here’s the story. Opal was the beginning of all things to come, the record was released in 1970 and licensed by pioneering early Berlin rock\/jazz\/experimental music label Ohr. It was quite a shock! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bonfire Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Clear","offer_id":57220870897995,"sku":"R4015-6693","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57220870930763,"sku":"R4015-6919","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8054757320470.jpg?v=1777990512"},{"product_id":"embryos-rache","title":"Embryo's Rache","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe second album by Christian Burchard and alumni was released in 1971 on the prestigious United Artists imprint, only a year after their debut. A significantly progression and the first venture in the realm of the ethnic\/world-rock fusion that would come to be their trademark. The gang from Munich flew over a series of packed jam showing their authentic passion for the middle east . Combining a series of progressive numbers, still miles away from their british counterpart, the band opened up for a series of transcendental and wicked numbers, pushing the boundaries of the seventies counterculture. While it was some eastern-blues rapture or a post-Coltrane collage in the vein of the classy melody of A Love Supreme, the band built his foundation while facing an ancient future. That was the beginning of a whole era where freedom was the keyword.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bonfire","offers":[{"title":"LP - Clear","offer_id":57515860132171,"sku":"R6404-1269","price":31.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57515860164939,"sku":"R6404-5919","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8054757320494.jpg?v=1780659083"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_40b8085d_thumbnail_4096_9ca4da25-21fd-4180-a513-112f72777d43.jpg?v=1727442997","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/embryo.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}