We often spare time indulging in EDM music. Whether our listening preferences be inclined towards Rock, Jazz, Classical or Pop, one cannot ignore the popularity of EDM music that’s widespread worldwide.

Thankfully my very first exposure to EDM was through a band that clearly boasts to be the pioneers and the introduction to electronic music right from the late 70’s.

It was during the early 80’s that I heard this impeccable German band called Kraftwerk with their very first album ‘The Man-Machine’, officially released on 19th May 1978. Their vinyl album cover with a lot of Red hue and these four German gentlemen with crew-cut hair gripped my attention and was eager to hear it. It was during the early 80’s that I heard them for the very first time and till today, I must admit I am obsessed with the way this album was composed and produced. I am sure to many of us Kratwerk is synonymous to the magical word viz;‘The Computer’.

The line-up of this highly acclaimed German band include, Ralf Hutter, Florian Shneider, Karl Bartos, Wolfgang Flur.

Lets take a look at the tracks one by one, beginning with Side One.

The Robots: The vinyl begins with their epic composition, ‘The Robots’. This scintillating composition begins with an alien like synth sounds followed by this heavy organ joining in with the drums and bass, a tone and the cutting edge maybe I am yet to hear another as powerful and melodic. The use of the vocoder and the sparingly used computerised coded sounds makes this track a repeated listen on loop always. Not to mention the glass shattering in our living roomsJ.

Spacelab: This composition begins with an extremely soothing electronic piano and unfolds into multiple layers with the use of some highly organic analogue delays, oscillators and filters, continuing with a heavy thumping beat with a pneumonic kind of a relevant melody that keeps lingering with us thereafter. An unforgettable melody indeed.

Metropolis: This track begins with a kind of a suspense siren-like SOS kind of a vibe. Later again evolving into a soothing progression. This is the first track in the album that we hear an actual male voice sans the vocoder singing the title melody. What I personally liked in this track are the chord progression changes in particular and thegripping synth bass lines.

Side Two:

The Model: Side 2 begins with this typically Pop kind of vibe with a voice again sans the vocoder singing this more lyrically driven track. Here again the choice of synth sounds, the counter melodies and the voice, all complement each other for a relaxed listening.

Neon Lights: Neon Lights is an easy listening track more softer and subtly sound designed. With the sparingly used vocal melody, the flute and the synth. In my opinion this track slows down the pace of the album a bit.

The Man-Machine: Finally the concluding and the title track of this album viz; The Man Machine completely justifies and concludes the entire compilation of this iconic album. The bass-line grooves with the use of the vocoder and the synth makes this track to be eagerly looked forward to while listening to the entire album.

All in all, ‘The Man Machine’ by Kraftwerk is an album that sets a benchmark in EDM music and a timeless listen making its way as one of the most prominent album in our vinyl collection even today. Not to forget they emphasised on the evolution and use of Computers amongst the masses.

Label - ‎ EMI Music

Released – 19^th May 1978

Recorded from – 1977 – 1978

Genre: Electronic, synth pop

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Ravi Iyer

Ravi Iyer is a Guitarist, Composer, Producer and Educator established in the independent music industry over 3 decades. An ardent vinyl listener, his collection ranges most of the popularly known albums in the pop, jazz, rock, disco and disco-rock genres. Do visit his official website: www.raviiyerfusion.com