Formed in Germany in 1971 whenHans-Joachim RoedeliusandDieter MoebiusleftConrad Schnitzler‘s groupKluster,Clustercan be counted among the most important protagonists of the electronic avant-garde. Some credit them with having invented ambient music, others as pioneers of synthesizer pop, while to others they are firmly embedded in the Krautrock universe. There is some truth in all of these notions. Although Cluster and “rock music” are seldom mentioned in the same breath, their early works in particular are marked by a lack of structure and futuristic, cold soundscapes typical of the Krautrock variation known as “kosmische.” Recorded and released in 1979,Grosses Wasserwas Cluster’s fifth album as a duo.

The cover art is the first indication of minimalist tendencies, reflecting the concentration, transparency and ma