Krokodil was a Swiss band that emerged in the late 60's as a blues-rock
band that put progressive touches into their music. They were of
German-Swiss extraction with bassist and guitarist Terry Stevens being
the only foreigner in the band, coming form England. They were regarded
as the Swiss version of the Groundhogs due to their first album.
However, from their 2nd album Swamp they started to introduce a
psychedelic sound to their music, a sound which is very much dominant on
Invisible World Revealed. In that album they make use of mellotron,
organ, harmonica and flute all backed up by an acoustic guitar which
give the album an exotic and stoned feeling to it. The eastern and
Indian influences in this album are present through the sitar and tabla
in the 15 minutes suite Odyssey In Om. The blues here gives way to the
psychedelics, ethnic sounds and vocal harmonies, but it is still there.
Getting up For The Morning continues the same style (in a new label,
Bacillus) but they became more succinct in their approach to composition
and it was more of a song oriented album than its predecessor.
A
band not to be missed by anyone who likes blues, psychedelic and ethnic
in his music and does not mind them being mingled together. Even though
they are tough to find, their 3rd album is very much worth the bother.
Krokodil.1969- Krokodil
Krokodil.1970- Swamp
Krokodil.1971- An Invisible World Revealed
Krokodil.1971- An Invisible World Revealed (50th ann.)
Krokodil.1972- Getting Up For The Morning
Krokodil.1973- Sweat And Swim
Krokodil.2005- The Psychedelic Tapes