Eddie Warner: Progressive Percussions Vinyl LP

Funky and experimental library record from one of the kings of 1950s Exotica. German born Eddie Warner might be better known for his wide repertoire of styles including several kinds of jazz and Latin based dance music such as mambo, baio, and chachach, but the restless producer found time for library music and electronic experimentalism. One of his standout library releases is 1968’s Progressive Percussions, a powerful, funk infused effort filled with freaky electronics and free form psychedelic eruptions. The drums are heavy, the grooves are tight and there are even some moments that hint at later German pioneers such as Kraftwerk, NEU!, or Cluster. It’s easy to see why original copies of this record are so hard to find.

• music label: L’Illustration Musicale 1968 / Fifth Dimension 2015

reviewed by Hank Ohs 06/2015