Formed in 1967 as Agitation, this Berlin group was integral to the scene that also birthed Tangerine Dream. But unlike Tangerine Dream, they had to wait until 1972 to release their debut album (Malesch).
Recording of the LP followed a tour of Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece and the striking cover shows five long-hairs lounging amid the rubble at the base of an Egyptian pyramid beneath some Arabic script.
Returning to Germany filled with eastern modality, they headily mixed early Floyd vibes with middle eastern voices and song, along with market square percussion and piercing guitar.
Their less eastern-slanted second album was titled, simply, 2nd.
Agitation Free were unfortunately destined to ultimately be a Kraütrock footnote.
Michael Duwe
Vocals
Michael Gunther
Bass
Lutz Ulbrich
Guitar
Lutz Ludwig Kramer
Guitar
Christopher Franke
Drums
Axel Genrich
Guitar
Jörg Schwenke
Guitar
Burghard Rausch
Drums
Michael Hoenig
Keyboards
Stefan Diez
Guitar
Gustl Luetjens
Guitar