Can - Tago Mago

United Artists

On this day 50 years ago Cologne based band 'Can' released their highly influential second studio album 'Tago Mago'. It's the first Can album to feature Damo Suzuki on vocal duties.

All you have to do is look at the artwork to understand that it's not going to be your everyday listen. Split into two halves Tago Mago treads the line between groove-based, heavily rhythmic, structured material and the more 'out there', avant-garde and experimental side of their repertoire - the best of both worlds if you want to look at it that way. The rhythm section of Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit is unparalleled and the driving force of the first half of the record. Their knack for incessant funk fueled groove and insatiable desire to get things moving is vital to the Can sound and ethos. 'Obscure' is the easiest way to describe Can's experimentation. Venturing down free of form avenues on the second half of the album gives Tago Mago an enigmatic quality. It's most definitely the same band but comes through an entirely different creative portal. It doesn't necessarily scratch the itch that you would hope for but the willingness to dedicate 30+ minutes of an album to testing new ground is an honorable act in my eyes.

It's the kind of music that would sound fresh if released tomorrow. Very of its time sounds-wise but seemingly free of the times restrictions in an experimental capacity. Untied from time in feel.

Heavily influential on Radiohead, Bobby Gillespie, John Lydon, Mark Hollis and the list goes on - Can and their impact on modern music cannot be ignored. Their fingerprints can be found in everything.

December 10th, 1971.