Sixty Nine - Circle Of The Crayfish (1972) {2008, Reissue}

SIXTY-NINE is a little known German progressive rock duo formed in 1969 by Armin Stöwe (organ, piano, synthesizer, guitar, vocals) and Roland Schupp (drums, percussion, gongs). SIXTY-NINE gained significant popularity as a live act and consequently had the opportunity to play, often as an opening act, at a variety of rock festivals with the likes of popular bands such as GOLDEN EARRING, AMON DÜÜL II, UFO, BEGGAR'S OPERA, PETE YORK, WEST BRUCE & LAING, BIRTH CONTROL, JUD'S GALLERY, AGITATION FREE, FRUMPY, and GURU GURU.

The band produced their only studio album in 1973, Circle of the Crayfish, on PHILLIPS Records. On side 2 of the album there were 2 tracks including the lengthy 15 minute "Paradise Lost". A live album was released in 1974 titled simply "Live!", a double album with material recorded from performances in Hamburg and Mainz. All of the material on the live album was new and 3 sides featured only 2 tracks, with one of considerable length. A few months following this release SIXTY-NINE disbanded. After the break up Stöwe founded, together with the collaboration of Reinhard Karwatky and Ingo Werner, the prog trio AIR. Stöwe also worked in GENERAL ELECTRONIC PLASTIC STUDIO (which was created by Stöwe and Werner), where he developed many innovative synthesizers and other electronic gadgets along with speaker systems.

In 2005 Armin Stöwe committed suicide in an old army barrack near Berlin. This location housed a plethora of keyboard and synthesizer rarities such as PPG-based computers, Oberheim synthesizer, Moog Modular System and hundreds more items, where Stöwe had spent the last years of his life. Roland Schupp's career after SIXTY-NINE disbanded is unknown.

The music of duo SIXTY-NINE is a mix of symphonic progressive rock & Krautrock. Stöwe's organ playing is similar to the style of THE NICE or EMERSON LAKE & PALMER, so the KEITH EMERSON influences are evident in their music. Stöwe's vocals are similar the style of LEE JACKSON. Stöwe played a typical collection of keyboards featuring Hammond organ, Minimoog, Hohner Clavinet, and bass-pedal dominates the music. Overall SIXTY-NINE can be recommended to fans of other duo bands, such as HANSSON & KARLSSON, HARDIN & YORK, RUSTICHELLI & BORDINI, TWOGETHER, as well as popular bands including EMERSON LAKE & PALMER, THE NICE, ATILA and MAGMA.