A
s a German, Jan Reetze introduces fresh new angles for those who first encountered the country’s anarchic innovations through John Peel or via the music press. Over 536 pages, Reetze explains krautrock’s disparate origins through a potted history of West German society and culture since World War Two: events, politics, public attitudes and (lesserknown) pioneers are joined by forensic descriptions of TV, radio and technology (including synthesisers), often cruel music business and scenes including free jazz, first rock bands, Hamburg’s Star Club, Stockhausen electronics,
psychedelia and even the much-disparaged easy listening style of schlager.