Brain was a Hamburg-based record label prominent in the 1970s releasing several important Krautrock records by bands such as Neu!, Cluster and Guru Guru. Many of its more prominent records are currently being reissued on CD by Repertoire Records.

Brain
Parent companyMetronome Musik GmbH
Founded1972
FounderBruno Wendel
Günter Körber
StatusInactive
Distributor(s)PolyGram Records
GenreKrautrock, Kosmische Musik
Country of originWest Germany
LocationHamburg

In the middle of 1971, Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser's management style at Ohr caused two of his A&R men, Bruno Wendel and Günter Körber, to leave Ohr and set up their own record company, which they called Brain. Wendel & Korber brought Guru Guru with them from Ohr, and immediately signed Cluster, who had recorded one LP for Philips; they soon recorded and released Cluster II.

Brain was rapidly a success throughout West Germany and much of western Europe, although had little presence in the US. Signings throughout the seventies and into the eighties included Neu!, Cluster, Harmonia, Klaus Schulze, Edgar Froese, Guru Guru, Grobschnitt, Novalis, Jane, Birth Control, Embryo, Popol Vuh, Curly Curve, Scorpions, Electric Sun, Accept and many more.

A later reissue series called Rock On Brain saw many early Brain recordings reissued, although mostly with entirely different sleeves and even album titles. Brain also reissued a number of recordings licensed to their parent company Metronome, such as Amon Düül's first album Psychedelic Underground. Many came out on the M2001 label which is closely linked to Brain.

Brain licensed and issued a number of British releases for the West German market, in this case mainly featuring the original sleeves. These included Greenslade, Caravan, If, Spirogyra, Atomic Rooster, Alexis Korner, Gryphon and Steamhammer. There were of course exceptions - the Brain issue of Atomic Rooster's Nice n Greasy features an entirely different sleeve to the UK issue, and If's Double Diamond didn't receive a UK release at all.

Some Brain releases later proved highly influential. Brain 1004 was Neu!'s eponymous debut Neu!; Brain 1062 was Neu! 75, which undoubtedly contributed to the sound of punk rock.

Körber left in 1976 to start Sky Records, which released much Cluster-related music plus Michael Rother's early solo work, and bands like Streetmark. When he left the labels of Brain LPs changed from green to orange.

Discography edit

  • 1001 – ScorpionsLonesome Crow
  • 1002 – JaneTogether
  • 1003 – GomorrhaI turned to See Whose Voice It Was
  • 1004 – Neu!Neu!
  • 1005 – SpirogyraSt. Radigunds – licensed release (UK: B & C, 1042)
  • 1006 – ClusterCluster II
  • 1007 – Guru GuruKänguru
  • 1008 – GrobschnittGrobschnitt
  • 1009 – SteamhammerSpeech – licensed release (non German band)
  • 1010 – CaravanWaterloo Lily – licensed release (UK: Deram, SDL 8)
  • 1011 – Atomic RoosterMade in England – licensed release (UK: Dawn, DNLS 3038)
  • 1012 – Spirogyra – Old Boot Wine – licensed release (UK: Pegasus, 13)
  • 1013 – LightStory of Moses
  • 1014 – GashA Young Man's Gash
  • 1015 – Os Mundi43 Minuten
  • 1016 – Wolfgang Dauner GroupRischka's Soul
  • 1017 – Creative RockGorilla
  • 1018 – Electric SandwichElectric Sandwich
  • 1019 – KhanSpace Shanty – licensed release (UK: Deram, SLDR 11)
  • 1020 – SametiSameti
  • 1021 – Thirsty MoonThirsty Moon
  • 1022 – Alexis KornerKorner & Snape – licensed release (US: WB, BS 2647)
  • 1023 – EmbryoSteig Aus
  • 1024 – SpirogyraBells, Boots and Shambles – licensed release (UK: Polydor, 2310 246)
  • 1025 – Guru GuruGuru Guru
  • 1026 – SpermüllSpermüll
  • 1027 – GreensladeGreenslade – licensed release (UK: WB, K 46207)
  • 1028 – Neu! – Neu! 2
  • 1029 – NovalisBanished Bridge
  • 1030 – CornucopiaFull Horn
  • 1031 – LavaTears are going home
  • 1032 – Jane – Here we are
  • 1033 – Atomic RoosterNice 'n' Greasy – licensed release (non German band)
  • 1034 – KollektivKollektiv
  • 1035 – ifDouble Diamond – licensed release (Canada: GRT, 9230-1032)
  • 1036 – Embryo – Rocksession
  • 1037 – EmergencyGet Out of the Country
  • 1038 – Caravan – For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night – licensed release (UK: Deram, SKLR 12)
  • 1039 – Alexis Korner & Snape – Live on Tour in Germany (2LP) – licensed release (non German band)?
  • 1040 – Curly CurveCurly Curve
  • 1041 – Thirsty Moon – You'll never Come Back
  • 1042 – Greenslade – Bedside Manners are Extra – licensed release (UK: WB, K46259)
  • 1043 – Steamhammer – This is... (2LP)
  • 1044 – HarmoniaMusik von Harmonia
  • 1045 – Yatha SidraA Meditation Mass
  • 1046 – Various – Krautrock (3LP)
  • 1047 – Zabba Lindner & Carsten BohnVollbedienung Of Percussion
  • 1048 – Jane – Jane III
  • 1049 – Satin WhaleDesert Places
  • 1050 – Grobschnitt – Ballermann (2LP)
  • 1051 – Klaus SchulzeBlack Dance
  • 1052 – Emergency – No Compromise
  • 1053 – Edgar FroeseAqua
  • 1054 – Caravan – Caravan and the New Symphonia – licensed release (UK: Deram, SKLR 1110)
  • 1055 – If – Not just another Bunch of Pretty Faces – licensed release (UK: Gull, 1004)
  • 1056 – Release Music OrchestraLife
  • 1057 – Guru Guru – Der Electrolurch (2LP) – Reissue of Känguru (1007) and Guru Guru (1025)
  • 1058 – Tasavallan PresidenttiMilky Way Moses – licensed release (Finland/UK: Sonet, SNTF 658)
  • 1059 – Jukka TolonenTolonen! – licensed release (Finland: Love, LRLP 47)
  • 1060 – Hardcake SpecialHardcake Special
  • 1061 – Creative Rock – Lady Pig
  • 1062 – Neu! – Neu 75
  • 1063 – Tasavallan Presidentti – Lambert Land – licensed release (Finland/UK: Sonet, SNTF 636)
  • 1064 – If – Tea Break Over Back – licensed release (UK: Gull, 1007)
  • 1065 – Cluster – Zuckerzeit
  • 1066 – Jane – Lady Jane
  • 1067 – Klaus Schulze – Picture Music
  • 1068 – Achim ReichelErholung
  • 1069 – ErocEroc
  • 1070 – Novalis – Novalis
  • 1071 – GryphonRed Queen to Gryphon Three – licensed release (UK: Transatlantic, TRA 287)
  • 1072 – Release Music Orchestra – Garuda
  • 1073 – Harmonia – De Luxe
  • 1074 – Edgar Froese – Epsilon in Malaysian Pale
  • 1075 – Klaus Schulze – Time Wind
  • 1076 – Grobschnitt – Jumbo (version en Ingles)
  • 1077 – Klaus Schulze – Irrlicht
  • 1078 – Klaus Schulze – Cyborg (2LP) – reissue (Kosmische Musik, KM2/58.005)
  • 1079 – Thirsty Moon – Blitz
  • 1080 – Günter SchickertSamtvogel – reissue (Sch 33003)
  • 1081 – Grobschnitt – Jumbo (version en Aleman)
  • 1082 – Tangerine DreamAlpha Centauri/Atem (2LP) – reissue (Ohr, OMM12 & OMM31)
  • 1083 – Release Music Orchestra – Get the Ball
  • 1084 – Jane – Fire, Water, Earth & Air
  • 1085 – Locomotiv GTMindig Magasabra – licensed release (non German band)
  • 1086 – Tangerine Dream – Zeit (2LP) – reissue (Ohr, OMM21)
  • 1087 – Novalis – Sommerabend
  • 1088 – Klaus Schulze – Moondawn
  • 1089 – Guru Guru – Tango Fango
  • 1091 – Various – Brain history of German Rock (2LP)

60.000 – series edit

  • 60.007 – Eroc – Zwei
  • 60.008 – Edgar Froese – Macula Transfer
  • 60.009 – Thirsty Moon – A Real Good Time
  • 60.010 – Schicke, Führs & Fröhling (SFF) – Symphonic Pictures
  • 60.019 – Birth ControlBackdoor Possibilities
  • 60.031 – RuphusLet Your Light Shine
  • 60.000 – serie (en Brain naranja)
  • 60.039 – Guru Guru – Globetrotter
  • 60.040 – Klaus Schulze – Mirage
  • 60.041 – Grobschnitt – Rockpommel's Land
  • 60.042 – GateLive
  • 60.047 – Klaus Schulze – Body Love
  • 60.053 – To BeTo Be
  • 60.055 – Jane – Between Heaven and Hell
  • 60.065 – Novalis – Konzerte
  • 60.066 – Birth Control – Increase
  • 60.068 – Schicke, Führs & Fröhling (SFF) – Sunburst
  • 60.078 – MessageUsing the Head
  • 60.079 – Popol VuhHerz aus Glas
  • 60.093 – Gate – Red Light Sister
  • 60.094 – Novalis – Brandung
  • 60.097 – Klaus Schulze – Body Love Vol.2
  • 60.104 – BlonkerDie Zeit Steht Still
  • 60.105 – Führs & Fröhling – Ammerland
  • 60.115 – Release Music Orchestra – Beyond the Limit
  • 60.117 – LilientalLiliental
  • 60.120 – Zeus B. HeldZeus' Amusement
  • 60.124 – Jane – Age of Madness
  • 60.139 – Grobschnitt – Solar Music Live
  • 60.149 – Birth Control – Titanic
  • 60.164 – Novalis – Vielleicht Bist Du Ein Clown?
  • 60.165 – MessageAstral Journeys
  • 60.167 – Popol Vuh – Brüder des Schattens - Söhne des Lichts
  • 60.173 – Schicke, Führs & Fröhling (SFF) – Ticket to Everywhere
  • 60.185 – EpitaphReturn to Reality
  • 60.186 – Anyone's DaughterAdonis
  • 60.187 – Guru Guru Sunband – Hey Du!
  • 60.188 – AcceptAccept
  • 60.194 – Release Music Orchestra – News
  • 60.196 – Electric SunEarthquake
  • 60.197 – Eroc – Eroc3
  • 60.218 – Jane – Sign No. 9
  • 60.219 – Novalis – Wer Schmetterlinge Lachen Hort (compilation)
  • 60.223 – Führs & Fröhling – Strings
  • 60.224 – Grobschnitt – Merry Go Round
  • 60.225 – Klaus Schulze – Dune
  • 60.240 – Birth Control – Live '79
  • 60.242 – Popol Vuh – Die Nacht der Seele
  • 60.274 – Epitaph – See You In Alaska
  • 60.291 – Grobschnitt – Volle Molle
  • 60.000 – serie (en Brain negro)
  • 60.353 – Klaus Schulze – Dig It
  • 60.354 – Jane – Jane
  • 60.365 – Grobschnitt – Ilegal
  • 60.385 – Epitaph – Live
  • 60.397 – Scorpions – Lonesome Crow (reissue)
  • 60.510 – Grobschnitt – Razzia
  • 60.513 – AcceptRestless and Wild
  • 60.519 – Jane – Germania

80.000 – series edit

  • 80.001 – Jane – Live at home
  • 80.013 – Various (Jane, Novalis, etc.) – Brain Festival Essen
  • 80.014 – Neu! – 2 Originals – Reissue Neu! (1004) and Neu!2 (1028)
  • 80.017 – Various (Novalis, SFF, etc.) – Brain Festival Essen 2
  • 80.018 – Guru Guru – Live
  • 80.023 – Klaus Schulze – X
  • 80.048 – Klaus Schulze – Live

200.100 – series edit

  • 200.145 – Guru Guru – This Is Guru Guru
  • 200.146 – Amon DüülThis Is Amon Duul
  • 200.148 – Julie DriscollThis Is Julie Driscoll
  • 200.149 – Brian AugerThis Is Brian Auger
  • 200.150 – Wolfgang DaunerThis Is Wolfgang Dauner
  • 200.151 – Atomic Rooster – This Is Atomic Rooster
  • 200.164 – Caravan – This Is Caravan

Albums Sampler edit

  • 201.035 – Various (neu, guru guru, release music orchestra, emergence, cluster, grobschnitt, jane, hardcake special) – German Super Rock
  • 888 – Various (Neu, Kollektiv, etc.) – German Rock Scene – 1973

See also edit

References edit

External links edit