Technical Space Composer’s Crew – Canaxis 5

What our staff has to say: “Holger Czukay & Rolf Dammers getting so wild. Stockhausen zoned experimental. Incredibly various and musical. ‘Shook Eyes Ammunition’ is the best song title ever.” – Alex

“Canaxis 5, initially released in 1969, the same years as Can’s Monster Movie, sees Holger Czukay, and his Technical Space Composer’s Crew (with producer Rolf Dammers), taking what he learned studying under Karlheinz Stockhausen and making experimental collages utilizing records, tape loops, electronics, and his trusty bass. A fun listen and a must have for any and all Can fans!” – Jon

Upon examining the eventful life of Can bassist Holger Czukay, one might come to the conclusion that this intrepid musician was a loner. His turbulent career exuded an enduring eccentricity governed by a boundless free spirit. Yet Czukay, who passed away unexpectedly last year at the age of 79, constantly emphasized that his creativity was always contingent upon a musical partner, whether that was a skin-and-bones counterpart or an anonymous manifestation that interacted with him through radio waves or, as happened later, the internet. Nonetheless, most of his partners were of flesh and blood. His oeuvre, which is in itself cinematic in nature, boasts a cast worthy of a Martin Scorsese film. Only the most interesting character actors were cast: Brian Eno, Phew, Rolf Dammers, David Sylvian, Annie Lennox, Jah Wobble, his Can bandmates The list could go on and on. Many of these masterpieces are now out of print, so Groenland Records, which already released the highly acclaimed retrospective CINEMA to mark the occasion of Holgers 80th birthday at the beginning of the year, has taken it upon itself to release reissues of Holgers music in order to make it accessible once again.