In 1969, on the little known Hansa label, Electrip was released to an unsuspecting public. Sporting wild artwork of a psychedelic nude woman, the buyer had to know this was going to be a special affair. Indeed it is. Starting with a toilet flush, the album blasts away with "Electric Fun Fair". Featuring primarily electric sax, electric flute, and organ as the solo instruments, the music is a mixture of free jazz, psychedelic, Zappaesque humor, and progressive jazz rock. "Pop Games" and "All Green" continue along this path with the same optimistic melodies and insouciant demeanor. Perfect music for driving the MG convertible around the Autobahn, hardtop down, blond babe with heavy mascara and white go-go boots actually admiring your hip music selection. The latter track would be the prototype for similar groups such as Missus Beastly, joyful yet experimental jazz rock. Side 2 is a slightly different breed of cat. On the 17 minute "Raise Up High", the instrumental sections are very similar to the previous side, but here they added some wild English vocals to the mix giving the song a rough hard rock feel to it. As well, this track displays a more experimental and improvisational angle with some free blow moments. Overall, a classic in the field of Krautrock fusion and the catalyst of an entire movement. After this album, flautist Hansi Fischer went on to Embryo to record possibly the greatest Krautrock fusion album ever: Embryo's Rache . Vinyl collectors should note there is a beautiful reissue of the original Electrip, pressed on heavy vinyl and featuring the gorgeous artwork in all its glory. Garden of Delights has finally awarded the album a legit CD press and contains their 45 single from the same year.

One year later, the band changed their name to just Xhol to avoid confusion with the more famous British band. Their followup, Motherfuckers GMBH & Co. KG, shows the band's total disregard for anything commonly accepted. Not released until 1972 (by the legendary underground Ohr label), though recorded two years before, Xhol had clearly moved away from their fusion roots to a more avant-garde electronic approach. The highlight has to be the haunting 9½ minute "Orgel Solo", which could've just as easily been on Tangerine Dream's groundbreaking Electronic Meditation album. In fact, much of this album has the feel of the Kraut underground, that of mixing avant electronic structures with rock sounds and energy. The primary instruments are flute and organ with plenty of hand percussion. Very psychedelic. The exception is the 13 minute insane version of "Love Potion 25", not exactly what one would call a cover tune of the old classic! Available on CD (pressed by the French label Spalax). The LP only exists as an original (Ohr) and is quite expensive.

Their third album (though second to be released), Hau-Ruk is rumored to be coming out on CD from the Garden of Delights label. My recollection of the LP is not overly positive but I'll await further comment until I rehear the album on CD.