KARTHAGO - Rock'N Roll Testament 1974 -

KARTHAGO \ ROCK ' N ROLL TESTAMENT 1974.
Bio :

Formed in Berlin in 1970, the musicians of Karthago came from all over Germany and from various backgrounds. They were not a true Berlin band. Strongly inspired by British and American bands, Jimi Hendrix was a notable influence, but more so they were into the type of rock fusion garnered by CBS (like Chicago Transit Authority, Argent, Black Widow, Heaven, etc.).

Karthago developed a more mainstream style than most Berlin acts, with strong songs, jazz and funk elements, backed up by excellent musicianship. Often they were much more Anglo-American sounding than German. It would seem that BASF were really pleased to sign Karthago up, as their debut LP had the most extraordinary multi-fold-out cover. The album was a fine example of the genre, with many excellent tracks, yet unbefitting such a crazily psychedelic cover! It obviously wasn't such a great success though, as it took 21/2 years for the aptly entitled SECOND STEP to appear, and then there was another lengthy gap till their third.

With each album the Karthago sound was becoming less progressive and closer to mainstream rock, though it seems they never gained any greater success due to this. A live double album summed up most of the best material from this era, with some tracks greatly extended.

Line up :

Tommy Goldschmidt (drums, percussion, vocals), Wolfgang Brock (drums, percussion, vocals), Joey Albrecht (guitar, vocals), Ingo Bischof (organ, vocals), Gerald Hartwig (bass, vocals, percussion)

VERY GOOD.

Link :RART