Kraan

Formed in Ulm in 1970, Kraan occupies a unique position in the West German music landscape, often categorized as Krautrock but musically aligned with the virtuosic jazz fusion movement. The band's identity is inextricably linked to the interplay between bassist Hellmut Hattler and guitarist Peter Wolbrandt.

Hattler's style, characterized by a percussive, lead-bass approach using a pick, provided a melodic foundation that allowed the band to explore funk and world music influences without losing structural integrity. Their early 70s output, particularly 'Kraan' and 'Wintrup', established a communal, jam-oriented aesthetic that gradually tightened into the sophisticated fusion of 'Andy Nogger'. Unlike the 'Cosmic Couriers' or the Dusseldorf school, Kraan emphasized instrumental dexterity and rhythmic 'swing'. They were a staple of the European festival circuit, known for a live energy that translated their complex studio arrangements into danceable, high-energy performances. Critical consensus views them as the premier German fusion act, successfully blending the experimentalism of their era with a durable, groove-centric accessibility that has sustained their cult following through multiple reunions.