Few bands can boast a sound that's as original, distinctive and influential as Can's heyday albums. 1971's "Tago Mago" was Can's superb surge into the limelight, but side two's incessant sonic attack makes it hard to digest, and at times feels a little dated. "Ege Bamyasi" on the other hand is concise, pure and unadulterated Can. More direct, yet maintaining all the funky, darkly psychedelic overtones that makes up their signature sound. As always the foundations are laid down by drummer extraordinaire Jaki Liebezeit, evident immediately with the ferocious rhythmic throat-clearing of "Pinch". "Vitamin C" and "I'm So Green" are a master class in psychedelic funk, extremely physical, raw and energetic and both showcasing Damo Suzuki at his wild best. While "Ege Bamyasi" lacks the flamboyant avant-garde ramblings of "Tago Mago", there is room for experimentation within the extended "Soup", which ends in a flourish of dizzying ambience. And then there's the centre-point, the gloriously sombre and brooding "Sing Swan Song", quite possibly my favourite Can. "Ege Bamyasi" is an album rightly heralded as a pinnacle to the krautrock and 70s experimental movement. Highly recommended.