Galactic Supermarket – Galactic Supermarket

Just done an update of Spalax CD issues here. Surprised no one has added the original Spalax issue in a card gatefold yet. BTW - complexities about the Spalax listings can be found here: Spalax - http://discogs.sitiosdesbloqueados.info/forum/thread/698829

There is so much controversy surrounding the Cosmic Jokers that's it's not even funny. I've heard several conflicting stories. One was these recordings were released behind the backs of those involved and lawsuits ensured, effectively driving Rolf Ulrich Kaiser and his wife Gille Lettman out of . Klaus Schulze was most angered, but then I hear a different story from Manuel Gottsching. He was actually already made aware these recordings were going to be released. Also it turned out while the lawsuits were true and caused his label Kosmische Musik (the successor to Ohr and Pilz) to go under, Kaiser and Gille Lettman (aka Starmaiden) did not flee , instead ended up in seclusion, apparently suffering a similar fate to Syd Barrett (although unlike Barrett, they're still alive, despite rumors to the contrary).

Manuel Göttsching's website includes the Cosmic Jokers albums as very much as part of his discography as is Ash Ra Tempel, Ashra, solo career, and collaborations with other musicians, while Schulze's site considered those albums as nothing more than a joke, "a loose session, not serious".

Anyways, the Cosmic Jokers were basically Klaus Schulze, Manuel Gottsching, and various Ash Ra Tempel and Wallenstein doing late night jamming. Galactic Supermarket is one of them, and is more rock-oriented than many others. It's no surprise the music bears more than a ing resemblance to Ash Ra Tempel, because of Manuel Gottsching and his guitar playing. Also Jurgen Dollase gives some nice keyboard work, particularly the piano, Farfisa electric piano, synths, and even a little Mellotron. Klaus Schulze were more responsible for the more droning organ and synth end of things, it's pretty obvious when he plays it. This album really blew me away. Too bad Klaus Schulze is so embarrassed of these recordings.

Regardless of what story you've heard, which is correct and not, what matters is the wonderful music that came from it, and Galactic Supermaket is a great example.