For those of you that just can't get enough of that eau de Cologne (as in Germany), Schlammpeitziger is an electronics outfit whose name translates roughly to "that which is very difficult to pronounce." Not actually a band, Schlammpeitziger represents the work of a single individual, a gentleman with the absurdly easy to pronounce name of Jo Zimmermann. Erdrauchharnschleck is a vinyl- only reissue of a collection originally released in 1993, remastered by fellow travelers Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma of Mouse On Mars.

It's a difficult sound to describe. The gear used to produce this album was either vintage or very cheap, as there's a serious Casiotone vibe to much of the music here. At times, like on the spooky electronic waltz "Space Agent Zimmermann," it sounds like Kraftwerk composing the score to "The Shining" on a $30 toy keyboard-- goofy, spooky, and yet still quite beautiful. Other songs wring strange textures from the machines, much more than seems possible for components so simple. All the music here is gentle and oddly engaging as it pumps along to that familiar motorik beat. An album that comes from a very strange emotional place, Erdrauchharnschleck is well worth tracking down for the German electronic connoisseur. But good luck asking for it at the customer service counter.

-Mark Richard-San