Welcome to the CD Services Euro / Kraut-Rock Department.
This department covers a wide variety of
recordings selected from our main home database of over 2,500 worldwide titles available in this genre of music.
Much of the material here draws from where it all began back in the early 70's - a time when 'Kraut-Rock' bands like
Amon Duul II, Ashra Tempel, Can, Cluster, Grobschnitt, Guru Guru and similar groups were releasing (and shifting)
lots of exciting new and innovative new albums. Parallel to this ran the 'Euro-Rock' genre, mainly French in
origin, with bands such as Gong, Heldon, Pulsar & Shylock leading the field - much of their music derived from
lengthy guitar, bass and drums jams, through electronic/guitar improvisations to Prog Fusion - and you'll find
plenty of that in this department too. An explosion of (chiefly) American based bands and labels granted the genre
a whole new lease of life in the 90's and this furthered the pioneering spirit and originality of the genre that was
born in the 70's. By then, labels such as Kranky, Noise Factory and the UK based outfit Ochre, plus bands such as
Circle, Escapade, Land Of Nod & Subarachnoid Space (to name but a few) were releasing fantastic music that was so
much in the spirit of all that had gone before, further stretching the boundaries once more.
As in most of the CDS Online Store
departments you will find a vast selection of titles not only on CD, but DVD, Blu-ray and HQ Vinyl LP
formats as well! A high percentage of the titles on display may just offer basic database details, but over time we
will be adding more Images, Reviews and other details from our vast catalogue archive to many of these entries.
Selected items already come with Cover Art Images, General Info on the Artist / Title and Track Lists & Timings,
plus certain titles will have an In Depth Review added. Our reviews are known for giving factual information and
honest, direct opinions. Describing the music as we hear it, our reviews mix accuracy with enthusiasm, and where
appropriate, include a certain level of humour to add entertainment value to the experience. Occasionally we may
publish a customer review or one written by a music journalist, in which case the reviewer will be credited. Also, wherever possible we try to provide a window into You-Tube (and similar sites) where samples of
the music are available to listen to.
As
well as standard A-Z browsing, this department also contains (when they are available) 'Features' on certain
individual Artists & Bands, complete Label Catalogues, Top Sellers and Classics From The Past - These extend the range of choice
by highlighting the repertoire of individual artists and labels that we are recommending and can be accessed from
the department's sub-menus on the left of your screen. The Store also has sections containing: New Releases,
Special Offers, Bargain Basement and Rarities from this genre of music - These are grouped together and accessed
from buttons in the store's homepage and at the top of most department pages.
Like most of the other CDS
'Specialist' departments, some of the titles in this area will have a certain element of "crossover" with other
categories in the store, and here there may be crossovers with the: Jazz-Rock / Fusion Oldies
Progressive / Symphonic-Rock Psychedelic / Space-Rock Rock / Heavy Metal and Synthesizer / New Age departments.
This online
department will always be a "work in progress" and will constantly be growing and evolving over time. On a daily
basis we will be fine-tuning the existing data, adding new products, and integrating the vast range of material we
have accumulated "off-line" over the past twenty-five years. If you don't find what you are looking for right now
- PLEASE ASK ABOUT IT - It may simply be down awaiting updates, and we may be able to "fast-track" these for you.
While we do endeavour to maintain an accurate database, it is not possible for us to keep absolutely everything
up-to-date for all of the time, and as such, certain inaccuracies and errors can occur. Please always treat any
data we publish as a guideline, and if there is any doubt about the validity of what you read, or you need further
clarification of any item details, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to help you.