German musician Manuel Göttsching has died.
The guitarist spearheaded influential German group Ash Ra Tempel, helping to blend progressive strands with the emerging Kosmische sounds in West Germany. A continual innovator, he worked with musicians from the Berlin School of Electronic Music, with his minimalist approach merging new technology, almost Reich-ian phrasing, and aspects of rock guitar into one seamless whole.
Perhaps Manuel Göttsching‘s lasting artefact is the 1981 release ‘E2-E4’. A masterpiece in minimalism and sustained innovation, it proved to be incredibly influential on subsequent waves of techno producers, and has been cited as a key touchtone by everyone from Mogwai to LCD Soundsystem.
Manuel Göttsching later revisited the album, preferring to enjoy the art of live performance to a full re-issue. Clash caught him in conversation back in 2014, prior to an appearance at vital Dutch club event Dekmantel.
He finished by giving us some sage advice on producing sonic art: “Just live in a moment, and just feel. Touch an emotion and let it go… but don’t forget to push the record button.”
News of Manuel Göttsching was confirmed this morning (December 12th) through multiple German outlets. He was 70 years old.
Find a selection of tributes to the German master below.
Farewell to the magnificent Manuel Göttsching (1952-2022), whose E2-E4 connected Krautrock with minimalism and electronica, and has continued to inspire generations of musicians. Here we are in London in 2007 trying to look cool togetherhttps://t.co/uxAlReixBz pic.twitter.com/BUufy6w25b
— Robin Rimbaud – Scanner (@robinrimbaud) December 12, 2022
RIP masterhttps://t.co/G5NRdxQhKK
— Daniel Avery (@danielmarkavery) December 12, 2022
RIP Manuel Gottshing 🙁
— DJ Food (@djfood) December 12, 2022
Saw the sublime E2-E4 live a few years back and it sent me in a trance.https://t.co/MacfqRSVaz
I once tried to reissue E2-E4 for @Dominorecordco Manuel Göttsching patiently explained to me he would rather perform the work in concert at locations like the pyramids. These people are treasure in our lives. RIP.
— Richard King (@richard_king) December 12, 2022
