Motel d'amour - A Lost Electro-Funk Gem from the NDW Era Resurfaces

When we first collaborated with Collage member Markus Kammann on the EP project "Mit den Puppen tanzen" at the end of last year, we never imagined what would follow: Kammann approached us with a completely unreleased full-length album by his former band. Upon receiving the first three preview tracks, we were floored. One of them was "Nachtcafé" - a track that kicks off with a funky bassline layered over the punchy rhythm of a Roland TR-808. Add shimmering synths and Katrin A. Kunze's sharp, distinctive vocals, and we instantly knew we were hearing something special.

For a label dedicated to rediscovering lost treasures, this was exactly what we'd been searching for. The next two tracks - "Rendezvous" and "Casanova" - were just as compelling. When Kammann sent us the full album, we realized we were holding an electro-funk grail from the late golden days of the German Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW). We were listening to "Motel d'amour".

"Motel d'amour" is a concept album, offering a sharp, vibrant perspective from a confident, intelligent, and radiant young woman eager to experience nightlife, love, and music. Kunze's lyrics paint vivid scenes of flirtation ("Nachtcafé", "Rendezvous"), encounters with men ("Casanova"), the pulse of nightlife ("Die Nacht ist noch jung"), love ("Rotes Licht für rote Liebe"), one-night stands ("Motel d'amour"), and more. Rarely has a German album from that era captured emotional nuance and social dynamics so insightfully. Without veering into the overly personal, Kunze's direct, daring lyrical style was groundbreaking at the time - and remains refreshingly bold today.

While German listeners will fully appreciate the lyrical depth, the music speaks volumes on its own. Kunze's words are masterfully complemented by the production of Markus Kammann and Jürgen Grah. As heard on the in-demand "Mit den Puppen tanzen", their creativity seemed boundless. Each track is tightly composed, catchy, and full of character. While many German bands at the time leaned into rock, Kammann drew from the deep grooves of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, Brothers Johnson, The Commodores, and the electro-futurism of Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat". The result: tracks with unmistakable electro-funk flair, powered by the classic 808 drum sound.

Though primarily rooted in funk and electro, the album retains flashes of NDW aesthetics - "Wir haben getanzt heut' Nacht" being a prime example. The instrumentation is a dream list for vintage gear lovers: Yamaha keyboards, Roland Juno-60, vocoder, Micromoog, Hohner D6 Clavinet, Fender bass, and a Telecaster guitar all feature prominently.
Recorded in 1985 at the high-profile Delta Studio by Richard Rossbach, the album attracted interest from Polydor. However, the label proposed using the compositions for a solo project with singer Inga Humpe (of Neonbabies), who was already signed to their roster. This would have required replacing Kunze as the vocalist, an idea the group firmly rejected. As a result, "Motel d'amour" was shelved, and Kammann, Grah, and Kunze moved on to form Cold End.
The album cover features a rare archival photo of Katrin A. Kunze - rediscovered by Kammann and now finally seeing the light of day, 40 years later.

We believe Motel d'amour deserves recognition alongside cult German classics like P!OFF?, 1. Futurologischer Congress' "Wer spricht?", Ami Marie's "Verrückt nach Glück", the funkier cuts of Cosa Rosa, or Piet Klocke's groove classic "Heute ist nicht sonst". It's a record that fits into adventurous DJ sets but also rewards a full, start-to-finish listen.

A note on audio quality: Sadly, the original master tapes were lost. The tracks were restored from a vintage TDK cassette. Thanks to modern digital tools, we were able to remaster them to a high standard - but in some songs light distortions remain. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy this lost and undiscovered gem.

- Completely unissued NDW Electro-Funk LP
- Fully Licenced, recorded in 1985
- Thick 350 g picture sleeve with sticker
- Contains lyrics insert
- Quality lacquer cut by SST

Side A
Nachtcafé
Rendezvous
Herzschlag
Motel d'amour
Casanova

Side B
Wir haben getanzt heut' Nacht
All diese Jahre
Rotes Licht für rote Liebe
Musik (Rhythmische Verführung)
Die Nacht ist noch jung



Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

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Tracklist:
A1 Hankkofloppe 06:44
written & produced by Gabor Schablitzki
A2 Annopanno 00:38
written & produced by Gabor Schablitzki
B1 Gustav - We Shall Overcome 06:14
(Wighnomys Okkasion re(h)and)
from "Rettet die Wale" (mosz 2004) www.mosz.org
original track text & komposition: eva jantschitsch
B2 Epinikkion 06:05
written & produced by Gabor Schablitzki

After a short summer hiatus the FAT dam is ready to reopen, returning the flow to the world. The sweltering July heat, broken limbs, Klinsmann fever, and full of Vodka accompanied by scantily clothed bridesÖshould come as no surprise, the typical Wighnomical diversity calls for that dash of personality. Rumblings filtering down from the crown down to the lower extremities, and not the other way around; in 20 years this will stand tall in the annals of techno.
Robag Wruhme – the producer of the duo has takes great pains plying his craft in order that club-music lovers can thoroughly savour the energy of the DJ-couplet (in separate beds of course) in sonic form. For the last 15 years the pair is seldom parted for long periods. Through a fondness for each other tempered with a subtle tension, a diligence accompanied by sweat became their trademark. Thus is ensured the proper balance between stability, advancement, and unpredictability. From such a union divorce is quite unlikely!

Epinikkion
The madness of the preceding summer billed as one account! With the heat and sun, and slippery from the warm raindrops, the dancers gallop over the rainbow. An ordered pause would perhaps drive everyone berserk; this number drives the rudders with a bodily compulsion that blasts away even the heaviest fetters.

Annopanno
Wordless

Gustav Wighnomy’s Okkasion re-(h)-and The green lunacy of next spring is will be envisaged. Especially since the winter is to be quite hard, the oven for the heart is trustworthily stocked.
A truly warm sigh out of the digital ether, for the positive, magically lucky moment is right here to find, ready to hear!
Here we have a remix with one of the most captivating melodic manuscripts of the dying year, full of feeling and expressed in the club. As if everyone could just fall luck blessed into someone’s arms in timelessness galore!

Hankkofloppe
The dark side of the Wihgnomy-Force. Darth Wruhme snatches his accomplice Jabba Maffia away to lure the last Jedi-dancer into the mysterious night. The best part: mystical and unstable energy can save lives and this is gonna be on the floor!

Best Wishes
Oliver Goldt



Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More