Ardo Dombec - Ardodombec (1971) Ardo Dombec has always been a band saddled with two dubious distinctions. Firstly, their self-titled album had been the only album on the historic German Pilz label to remain unreleased on CD, apparently duly outshined by labelmates like Wallenstein, Popol Vuh, Emtidi, Hoelderlin and many other underground legends over the years. Secondly, their rather tasteless album cover, featuring a bloodied cactus sticking out of a gooey, melting ice dream cone is probably the most notable thing about the album. Even the liner notes in the not-exactly-long-awaited CD reissue admit some of the band's deficiencies: "Although they were good musicians technically, their tracks may have lacked exciting ideas and enthusiasm". With all that said, Ardo Dombec really isn't too bad. Certainly, their blues-based jazz rock is somewhat at odds with the majestic folk and Krautrock that the Pilz label is known for, but the music is far from inspiring offense or even outright boredom. Rather, they sound like a more pedestrian, less inspired version of Moving Gelatine Plates or Brainstorm. Decidedly middle of the road might be a better description. The rather mediocre, and unfortunately heavily utilized, vocals certainly don't give Ardo Dombec points. Shouted, awkwardly phrased English lyrics don't exactly press my buttons, or anyone else's I'd imagine. The sax heavy grooves operating beneath do give us some nice moments however, and particularly refreshing are the flute and acoustic guitar themes of "108". Overall though, I'd say Ardo Dombec is probably only truly necessary for the kind of collectors who were paying $75 for a copy of the LP.
Line Up:
Helmut Hachmann - saxfón, flauta
Harald Gleu - guitarr, voz
Wolfgang Spillner - batería, voz
Michael Ufer - bajo
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