Bleep

Timeless work by Manuel Göttsching, his proto-techno classic E2-E4, considered by many (and rightly so!) to be one of the most influential electronic records ever composed.

Having emerged from the Krautrock scene in 1981 as a member of Ash Ra Tempel and after completion of a tour with former Ash Ra band member and fellow kosmische hero Klaus Schulze, Göttsching sat down one evening and set about composing the hypnotic, hour long piece E2-E4. Using a stripped back, Eno style approach of less is more he contributed a milestone piece of electronic minimalism.

Composed in the same year as another unmissable project, Die Dominas; which was subsequently sampled in Carl Craig's incredible rework of Moritz von Oswald & Mark Ernestus' Maurizio track, Domina on their M series imprint. Illustrating just another glimpse of the indelible influence Göttsching has had over the many influential strains of techno still dominant to this day. Whatever was going through Göttsching's mind in 81' pre-dated the trajectory of electronic music for the next 25 years and beyond.

If you are unfamiliar with E2-E4 but have a soft spot for the minimalist electronic music of Robert Hood, Steve Reich, Carl Craig & Kraftwerk then this is as an essential purchase as you are ever likely to come across.