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Friday's First Groove 12/13/24

  • Writer: Michael Nevins
    Michael Nevins
  • Dec 13, 2024
  • 1 min read
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šŸ‘‰ 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? šŸš…


šŸ—“ļø I first heard Kraftwerk in the mid-late ā€˜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 ā€œgrooveā€ at all. But it does create its own special vibe and serves as a prototype that influenced generations of dance music to follow.


šŸŽ¹ 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 ā€œeither 1980 or 1981,ā€ 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!


šŸ”Š 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.Ā 


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:



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