Friday's First Groove 12/13/24

👉 Friday’s First Groove: Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk. This one is a definite departure from my previous Friday’s First Groove posts. See what I did there? 🚅

🗓️ I first heard Kraftwerk in the mid-late ‘70s. I think they may have been the first German group I knew. My fascination with synthesizers and drum machines predisposed me to take notice and enjoy this kind of track. One could argue that its relatively simple and mechanical rhythm doesn’t really “groove” at all. But it does create its own special vibe and serves as a prototype that influenced generations of dance music to follow.

🎹 Notably, the synth melody was quoted (interpolated but not sampled) in Planet Rock, a seminal rap hit in the US by Afrika Bambatta and the Soul Sonic Force (aka Soulsonic Force). It was recorded in “either 1980 or 1981,” and the Trans-Europe express melody was likely played on a Micromoog or Prophet-5 synth. I love Planet Rock, and there was a time when it could be heard EVERYWHERE in NYC. This version is a groove!

🔊 In July of 1981, I was lucky enough to see Afrika Bambatta and the Soulsonic Force perform it live (turntables were involved) in costume. It was one of the loudest shows I ever witnessed. I still have tinnitus from that night! But I had enough of my hearing left to enjoy Black Uhuru’s excellent headline set with Sly & Robbie on drums and bass. It was an unforgettable experience. 

Check out both, and let me know what you think.

Here’s Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk:

And here’s Planet Rock by Afrika Bambatta and the Soulsonic Force: