Pressure (Open Space album)
Pressure is the debut studio album by the German jazz-rock band Open Space. Released in 1971 on the Kuckuck label, it is considered a significant, though often overlooked, work within the Krautrock genre. The album features a blend of progressive rock instrumentation, free improvisation, and jazz sensibilities.
The lineup for Pressure consisted of Siegfried Schwab on guitar, Wolfgang Dauner on keyboards, Eberhard Weber on bass, and Fred Braceful on drums. This aggregation of established musicians from the German jazz scene contributed to the album's complex and sophisticated sound.
The album's tracks are largely instrumental, characterized by extended improvisations and dynamic shifts. The music explores themes of tension and release, reflecting the album's title. While not commercially successful at the time of its release, Pressure has gained recognition over time for its innovative approach to fusing jazz and rock elements. It is now considered a collector's item and a notable example of early Krautrock experimentation.
Key characteristics of Pressure include:
- Instrumentation: A combination of electric guitar, keyboards (including synthesizers and electric piano), bass guitar, and drums.
- Musical Style: A fusion of jazz, progressive rock, and elements of free improvisation.
- Improvisation: Extended instrumental sections built around improvisation, allowing individual musicians to showcase their skills.
- Production: A raw and somewhat experimental production style characteristic of early Krautrock albums.