Kraftwerk Reissues - Sept 2009 (apparently)

[BigManRestless]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/ju ... ernational

Add a huge mountain of salt of course, but you never know...

[Lerxst]

I hope this is true, as I'd love to replace my Kraftwerk collection. Maybe they will release both the English and German versions together, as Peter Schilling did with Error In The System.

[obs]

Considering that the length of those Kraftwerk albums (with the possible exception of Tour de France Soundtracks) were less than 40min, they *should* have both German and English versions on one disc.

[BigManRestless]

Or two disc versions, with bonus tracks of edits and contemporary remixes.

[discoginfo]

I believe their record company would go for single discs (one for each language), but at full price - simpoly because it generates more money from each disc. And I believe Ralf would be hesitant to include any extra tracks. But I HOPE there will be extra tracks.

[obs]

[i]> I believe their record company would go for single discs (one for each language), but at full price - simpoly because it generates more money from each disc. And I believe Ralf would be hesitant to include any extra tracks. But I HOPE there will be extra tracks.[/i]

Hopefully, neither EMI nor Kraftwerk would be arrogant enough to think like this in an age where secure FLAC rips are quickly distributed.

[discoginfo]

Some more news/info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catalogue

"There will be some alternate mixes of tracks and some unedited versions, but unfortunately we don't have much unreleased material. We never recorded extra songs or twenty different versions of the same song. We would complete a song and then move forward, always keeping very focused on one Kling Klang project at a time."

At least SOME extra tracks! I have most hopes for the TECHNO POP CD (yes they changed the title for this remaster series) for extra tracks, like early 1983 versions.

[Gary Russell]

Well, some single edits, the French versions of Pocket Calculator and Showroom Dummies, the Spanish Sex Object and as you say, the original Techno Pop '83 mixes would all be lovely.

[discoginfo]

I would go as far as say that the (unreleased) (and possibly unfinished) 1983 version of Sex Object is better than the released 1986 version! Especially the (removed) extra nostalgic melody. A problem would be "Tour de France" which was removed from the album altogether, but in 1983 it was (probably) the main track for the LP Techno Pop. And the original art work for that LP (as curiosoty).

[obs]

"The boxed set was planned for release on compact disc, vinyl, and Super Audio CD format in 2004."
+
"advertisement leaflet for the recent Manchester Velodrome concert stated that the back catalogue would be digitally remastered and released on Mute Records in September."

Would be cool to see them as combo SACD/CDs, like the Depeche remasters, but somehow, I doubt it.

[BigManRestless]

I think these are the potential bonuses, though if we get any at all I'll be amazed:

I've got listed German / English language versions unless they are different mixes / edits.

Autobahn:

Autobahn (US / German 7" edit)
Autobahn (UK 7" edit)
Autobahn (US promo longer 7" edit)
Kometenmelodie2 (7" edit)
Mitternacht (full length version)

Radio Activity:

Radio Activity (7" edit)
Antenna (7" edit)

Trans Europe Express:

Europe Endless (7" edit)
Hall Of Mirrors (7" edit)
Showroom Dummies (7" edit /single remix)
Showroom Dummies (French version)
Trans Europe Express (7" mix)

The Man Machine:

The Robots (7" edit)
Spacelab (7" edit)
Neon Lights (7" edit)
Neon Lights (Canadian white lable alt mix)

Computer World:

Computerwelt (German 12" Remix)
Pocket Calculator (edit plus French and Japanese versions)
Numbers (1982 b-side remix)
Computer Love (7" edit)

Techno Pop / Electric Cafe:

Tour De France (choose whatever mixes you want)
Musique Non Stop (7" version)
Musique Non Stop (12" version)
The Telephone Call (7" remix version)
The Telephone Call (12" remix version)
House Phone

The Mix:

various edits / remixes of The Robots & Radioactivity

Tour De France Soundtracks:

remixes / edits of Tour De France, Aerodynamic and Elektro Kardiogramm

Have I missed anything?

[discoginfo]

I think they should issue a proper compilation, with all the singles, from 1974 until now, which would feature all the single versions/edits. I think having single edits as "bonus tracks" would not add any real listening pleasure, as they were often made by the record company, not by Kraftwerk, by simple editing technique (meaning they simply made it shorter by removing parts from the album version). Kraftwerk mentioned "unedited" versions as possible bonus tracks, which I interpret as previously unrelesased full length versions - which could be interesting if they feature any unheard vocals or music. There are actually no interesting extra tracks for the 70s albums from 1974-78, except edited single versions. It is only from 1981 on, that they had any versions that actually *sounded* different (12" version of Computer Welt) and vocals sung in Japanese etc. The album that has the most potential for extra tracks is of course Techno Pop/Electric Cafe, with numerous versions of Tour de France, plus Musique Non Stop (Instrumental), Der Telefonanruf (12" Remix), Housephone, in both German and English. Plus of course the unreleased 1983 versions of Sex Object and Techno Pop. There is also a shorter US-only 1987 promo version of Sex Object, possibly intended as a single, but it's likely that it was edited (shortened) by the US record company. For THE MIX, I have read that there are indeed unreleased tracks that they remixed but never used. Quite interesting. I don't think they have any plans to re-release Tour De France Soundtracks. /JW

[discoginfo]

A small correction to my 2nd last post, I said "I would go as far as say that the 1983 version of Sex Object is better than the released 1986 version! Especially the (removed) extra nostalgic melody." I meant the 1983 version of Techno Pop, NOT Sex Object, sorry.

[Gary Russell]

Well, sadly, today Mute issued a UK press release, confirming this for October but there's not even a hint of bonus tracks contained in it. Boo. Missed opportunity...

[Surly]

Info and picture:

http://pitchfork.com/news/36214-kraftwe ... ue-series/



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