"Live in Paris 1973" captures Can in a mesmerizing performance at L’Olympia in Paris on May 12, 1973. This marks the beginning of the live series featuring Damo Suzuki as the vocalist, adding a new dimension to the group. From 1970 to 1973, the core lineup of Irmin Schmidt, Jaki Liebezeit, Michael Karoli, and Holger Czukay was enriched by the addition of Japanese improviser and vocalist Suzuki. Their encounter, sparked by Suzuki's street performance in Munich, led to a collaboration that lasted several months before his departure. This latest album in the series provides a glimpse into a crucial phase of Can's career. At this point, they had recently released two of their most acclaimed albums, "Tago Mago" and "Ege Bamyasi," the latter influencing the Paris performance. The recording itself was meticulously assembled from materials found in the Spoon Records vaults and contributions from devoted fans. Founding member Irmin Schmidt, along with producer/engineer René Tinner, undertook the task of compiling and editing all the albums in this series, bringing the vintage recordings into the 21st century. Founded in the late '60s and disbanded just over a decade later, Can's groundbreaking fusion of hypnotic grooves and avant-garde instrumental textures solidified their status as one of the most important and innovative bands in history. These albums unveil a distinct perspective on the group's repertoire. Familiar themes, riffs, and motifs may surface in these jams, but they often feel like momentarily recognized faces in a swirling crowd. Some segments showcase music that never made it onto the official album canon, revealing Can's ability to explore more extreme ranges than their studio work. From mellow, ambient drift-rock to white-dwarf sonic-meltdown moments, the recordings showcase the group's versatility. Amidst their adaptive chase of rhythm from minute to minute, the extraordinary musical telepathy among Can's members is palpable.
