Murphy Blend
Murphy Blend Murphy Blend was a German Progressive Rock group, composed by Wolf-Rodiger Uhlig (Organ, Cembalo, Grand Piano, Vocals). The band formed in 1969, and the following year released its first and only album “First Loss” for Kuckuck Label, a sub-label of Polydor specializing in Krautrock. It was recorded in Munich at Union Studios from October to December 1970, produced by Jonas Porst (Ihre Kinder’s Manager) and engineered by Thomas Klent. Uhligh studied classical music at the Berlin conservatory, the influences are reflected in the sound, influenced by the classical incursions of the keyboardist. The music of Murphy Blend is a Heavy Prog based on keyboards, hammond in particular, with melodic traits, a great voice and a solid guitar. Since its publication it has always been difficult to find the vinyl of this work, printed in a limited number of copies, both in Germany and in Italy, the only foreign country to have produced an edition in the seventies. Since 1991 CD reissues have started, giving this wonderful hidden treasure, finally a certain visibility, always seeing for Kuckuck a numbered LP version and a CD in 2001. Other reprints, even illegal ones with unknown date, took place recently recent (it seems). Shortly after the release of the album the band broke up, bassist Andreas Scholz joined the Heavy Prog group Blackwater Park, in 1971. Uhlig participated as a guest on Frumpy’s third album “By the way” in 1972.
Discography
(1971) First Loss [Kickuck Records]
Lineup
Wolf-Rodiger Uhlig / Organ, Cembalo, Grand Piano, Vocals
Wolfgang Rumler / Guitar, Vocals
Andreas Scholz / Bass
Achim Schmidt / Drums
Hanuman
After the dissolution of the Murphy Blend in 1970, Uhlig joined Rita along with other musicians from the German Prog tour to the Hanuman. The band formed in Berlin in 1971 and was formed by Wolf-Rodiger Uhlig (Keyboards, Vocals), Helmut Hirt (Vocals, Flute), Michael Gutsche (Guitars, Vocals), Butze Fischer (Drums, Percussion) and Detlef Goy (Bass , Vocals). The band’s sound was always a Heavy Prog from the 70s, with the addition of horns to enrich it all. Flutes and saxes that give more melodic solutions and bring the sound closer to the German-style Krautrock, with texts written and sung in German, unlike the previous band where it was sung in English. Also, this musical chapter closes in a short time, with the release of a solo record of the same name of 1971 for the Kuckuck Label. Like its predecessor, this album is also a rarity, published only in Germany in 1971 and in limited edition, only to be reprinted only in 1997 on CD. The album has been reprinted in four versions, one of which is vinyl and two are unofficial, making this group a true hidden rarity.
Discography
(1971) Hanuman [Kuckuck Records]
Lineup
Wolf-Rüdiger Uhlig / Organ, Piano, Vocals (1,2,4)
Peter Barth / Flute, Alto Sax, Vocals (3,5)
Jörg Hahnfeld / Bass
Thomas Holm / Drums
Lied Des Teufes
Hanuman band, after the release of their only album in 1971, made some changes to the formation and continued to play with another name. Lied Des Teufes and so the name chosen, which recalls the first trace of the B Side of the Hanuman disc. The training includes the sheet. With this line-up they publish the self-titled debut of 1973, bringing the sound towards more jazzy horizons than the previous one with Hanuman, while maintaining a solid Progressive base. Another rotation sees Peer Frosber replace the bass Hanfeld and with a lineup so created and two guests, Tom Newinger (Trumpet) and Rita Prinz (Vocals) Hollisc “Hei Be Rock Musik” in 1975. The album sees a clear change of direction, the result is a mix of Rock, wind instruments and politicized music, with influences of Latin Jazz and Psychedelia. Lighter than the works with the previous bands except for some inspiration here and there and a suite of over 20 minutes that covers various styles and musical influences, addressing the Chilean political theme. Shortly after the album was released, the band broke up in 1975 without leaving a trace. These bands, linked by the presence of common artists in the various formations, represent real gems of the Krautrock and of the Prog music of the 70s. Several of them, the Murphy Blend closer to the English sounds, while both Hanuman and Lied Des Teufels are very close to German music, characterized by the use of wind instruments and pinstripe influences with the release of Uhlig on keyboards, the symphonic part is missing, making the sound oriented towards a Blues-Rock, definitely different from the previous ones. All very rare and difficult to find, if not at high prices, they represent a purchase for collectors in the original version in LP, even reprints have a scarce availability, being yet more accessible to listeners. The first two works (Murphy Blend and Hanuman) should be considered an excellent listening, purely Prog, with the change of course, also the quality decreases, even deviating somewhat from the Prog and Krautrock style to which they had accustomed us.
Discography
(1973) Lied Des Teufes 
(1975) 2 – Höllisch Heiße Rockmusik
(1973) Lied Des Teufes [Kuckuck Records]
(1975) 2 – Höllisch Heiße Rockmusik [Pläne]
Members
Ralf Schultze / Electric, Acoustic & 12-String Guitars, Vocals
Peter Barth / Flute, Alto Sax, Vocals
Peer Forsberg / Electric Bass, Vocals (2st album)
Thomas Holm / Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Jörg Hahnfeld / Bass (1nd album)
With:
Tom Newinger / Trumpet (Guest 2nd album)
Rita Prinz / Vocals (Guest 2nd album)
