Cluster – Curiosum

A quietly monumental record for German electronic pioneers Cluster aka Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Curiosum is the duo’s sixth collaboration, their first release mixed outside of Conny Plank’s studio, and their last album for the next nine years. Curiosum sees the group return to their roots of minimalistic, free-form improvisation and the result is a collection of stripped-down, playful compositions that spark a sort of child-like wonder through raw electronics. One YouTube user commented that “Tristan In Der Bar” “sounds like a man tumbling around in the dryer,” and we absolutely love that cartoonish and hilariously accurate description of the slow, rumbling machine groove. Opener “Oh Odessa” hits on a similar note with its church bell motif and monster-like gargling synthesizer.

Original 1981 copy available here: https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/product/cluster-curiosum/