HIGHRAIL (Germany, 1979)
Philips, 7172 299

Today, let's go back to the realm of early works compilations! The German "Highrail", another recent acquisition. I'm glad I got this one, at long last, as it has escaped me quite narrowly on several occasions. I'm not particularly superstitious, but I was beginning to feel like I'd never get it... But here it is!


Highrail came in 1979, and in the Reflections series - a sizeable reissue program originally on the Fontana label, with best-of's and compilations of scores of artists. The name "Highrail" and the locomotive on the front cover follow on from 1977's Trans-Europa Express album, of course, and I believe this came in 1979, one of the last of these compilations of pre-Autobahn material. In fact, I'm beginning to speculate if the later "Pop Lions" compilation is a kind of companion to this? Considering the track list (where only Autobahn overlaps), the (supposed) connection to the Fontana label and the release year, it certainly fits, even if it could be a coincidence of course. 


The tracks are not edited, apart from Autobahn, the first 6:30 of which opens proceedings. Kometenmelodie 2 follows, before Vom Himmel Hoch ends Side 1. Side 2 follows with Ruckzuck, arguably the "hit" of the first album. Ending the second side with two of the more "ambient" tracks from Kraftwerk 2, Spule 4 and Wellenlänge, is a daring choice if you ask me, I would personally have preferred Kling Klang, but there you go!


The J-card is 1 panel, printed on both sides of the glossy paper. The track listing on the inside is printed at a 90 degree angle from what you might expect, although who really knows what to expect from these German cassettes...


Cassettes are grey with blue labels. Good item, thanks for checking it out!






 

 

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