Musical archaeology is finding the lost gems and treasures of past eras that have fallen through the cracks for a number of reasons, either they were very regional and underheard, their label didn't make it during numerous format changes, or even more rare, they were totally unreleased. With the advent of user driven sites/apps like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, many have been dusting off these old classics and spinning them for long time fans and the new generation alike. However, it takes the artist or label themselves to come forth with the rare, unreleased gem and present it like the musical mithril it is. The Outer Edge was contacted by Markus Kammann of NDW group Collage with just that magical find, an unreleased work from 1985, Motel d'amour.
Ten tracks of funky, fun, upbeat NDW, Motel d'amour lyrically focuses on young women enjoying nightlife, love, music, and liberation. Singer Katrin Kunze's lyrics and sharp delivery often contrast with the electro groove behind her, but that only helps to reinforce the lyrical content. Its stark presence cannot be ignored and while one's body subconsciously bops along to the funky beat, the two are instantly entangled, fused in funk. Behind Kunze are Markus Kammann (guitar/bass) and Jürgen Grah (keyboards/percussion), both putting in energized performances keeping Motel d'amour vibrant, moving, grooving, and always hopping. From the opening bass salvo of "Nachtcafé" to the last notes of "Die Nacht ist noch jung," Collage layer an impressive mix of exuberance and groove, hardly ever pausing to come up for air. The album is very full and frenetic, but never to the point of being too much. Had this been released, it would have packed discotheques across the country, if not all of Western Europe. However, we're now in the presence of this work with only a mental context, one where popped collars, gold chains, and cigarette smoke are only part of our imaginations. Unfortunately, Kammann no longer had the master tapes for Motel d'amour, but due to the skilled work of Nico Gräfenhan (cassette transfer) and Robert Wenzel (restoration/mastering), this forty year old work sounds almost as good as the day it was recorded.
When an unreleased recording surfaces, it is normal for the audience to hold their breath. Why wasn't it released? Was it terrible? Was there strife in the band? Whatever the reason for Motel d'amour to be hidden for so long, we can all breathe easily because it's a fantastic recording. Not just a curio for the collector or completionist, Collage's 1985 LP will please fans of funk, electro, NDW, and pop music alike, as well as introduce Collage to a new generation of fans, both young and old.
