Cosmic Couriers (Moebius, Neumeier & Engler) - Other Places (1996)

Over four days in May 1996, two krautrock legends reconnected with each other for the improvised sessions that made up this album.  Adding to their number was Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps on guitar and more synths, and the nine tracks that made up Other Places were single-take shots with no overdubs.

The album marked the first time that Moebius & Neumeier had worked together since Zero Set, but where that album was mostly based on frantic electro-grooves, Other Places brought down the tempo to much more of an industrial-rock grind.  Album opener Culture In A Small Room sets the tone for much of what follows - a grungy swirl of electronics, guitar & live drums, not necessarily requiring any development or journey - creating an atmosphere and exploring it was the priority.  Must confess I haven't really listened to Die Krupps, but I do like Einstürzende Neubauten, and there's an interesting resemblance to 90s EN in places here.  Things do get unexpectedly funky around tracks 6 and 7 thanks to Neumeier's deft drumming, which adds a nice bit of variety to the album's second half.

After Other Places, Moebius & Neumeier would work together again a couple more times, and Engler would return for 'Another Other Places', one of Moebius' final recordings of his lifetime.  By then, the 'Cosmic Couriers' tag had gone, as can be seen from the Bureau B reissue of Other Places.

New cover used for Bureau B reissue, 2014

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