Bureau B / Germany / RE 2009
Sowiesoso (1976) is the fourth full-length album by German electronic duo Cluster, released on Sky Records. It follows their highly acclaimed Zuckerzeit (1974), which had been influenced by Michael Rother of Harmonia. In Sowiesoso, Cluster seeks new musical forms, reflecting the duo's utopian vision. The album's mellow transparency captures the essence of the Weser Uplands, where Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius were living at the time.
The album, recorded with modest equipment (a four-track tape machine and two Revox A77s), represents Cluster’s complete artistic independence. Without external musicians, engineers, or producers, they thrived in an environment of creative freedom, resulting in a work that is minimalist yet dynamic. The seven tracks combine electronic and acoustic elements in a rhythmic, organic, and gentle ambience that is distinctly Cluster's. The music avoids traditional song structures but still maintains a strong sense of harmonic quality, making it a unique and refined statement of their evolving sound.