Week of February 7, 2010
Personnel
Richard John Rusinski - vocals, 12-string guitar
James Mosberger - organ, mellotron, piano
Danny Andrey – guitars
Teddy Riedo - bass, synthesizer
Hans-Peter Börlin - drums, percussion
Robi Suffert - lead guitar
Andy Gerber - piano, violin
Albums
Ertlif
LP: private release TLP 5510 Switzerland, 1972; Black Rill Records BRR 9201-LP,
1992
CD: Black Rill Records BRR-CD 001, 1994
Illusions
CD: Ertlif Productions EP 2001 001, 2001
One of the earliest of Swiss progressives, Ertlif were fronted by an English vocalist and had a very English style with strong hints of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. But, having said that, Ertlif also had a Teutonic touch (much darker than Jane) that lent a doomy Ainigma or Necronomicon edge, in a music that had folky touches and an abundance of classical references. It all amounted to much more than just a heavy rock LP, and it's still a fresh and vital album. In 1974, alongside Ertlif (who were touring Germany at the time and planning a second album), two members, James Mosberger and Teddy Riedo, also worked as the cosmic synthesizer duo Irrlicht. Obviously inspired by the Klaus Schulze classic, they unfortunately never released anything, although an album was planned for Klaus' aborted idea for a record label prior to Innovative Communication. Both these musicians have also worked solo since, and on several occasions Ertlif have reformed.
Taken from: “The Crack in the Cosmic Egg”, Steven Freeman, Alan Freeman. ISBN: 0-95295-06-0-X, Leicester 1997
In the spring of 1969, two ex-members of Swiss band Egg & Bacon, lead
guitarist Danny Andrey and bassist Teddy Riedo, formed a new band, Ertlif.
The name derives from a mysterious magician and alchemist rumoured to have been
almost successful in turning ordinary stones into gold, who lived in the forest
of Teutoburg at the time when woodlands were full of fauns, goblins and
leprechauns.
After sessions with numerous musicians from other Basel bands, James Mosberger
(ex-Only Ones, Countdowns) joined the band on keyboards, followed
by drummer Hans-Peter 'Bölle' Börlin (ex-Countdowns) and lead guitarist
Martin Ruder (ex-Fresh Pastry), uniting the cream of the Basel music
scene together.
Right from the start, Ertlif played only their own original compositions
and enjoyed performing live. The two guitars meshed with Mosberger's Hammond
organ to create a characteristic Ertlif sound. In August 1971, Ertlif
became the only Swiss band invited to appear at the monster pop concert in
Munchenstein. Martin left the band in October 1971 and was replaced by
Englishman Richard John Rusinski (ex-Autumn Symphony), an experienced
lead singer with an expressive voice and dynamic stage presence. Ertlif
was, in essence, the first Swiss progressive rock band, and they used mellotron
and synthesizer at live concerts. The members' instrumental virtuosity made the
group one of the nation's top acts and Ertlif became one of the very few
bands to obtain a recording contract. Following a big tour through Switzerland,
an LP was produced in August 1972 in just three days. The album was launched in
October together with a single, resulting in radio interviews, television
appearances and much press coverage. The band began their promotional tour with
three consecutive nights of sold-out shows at the legendary Atlantis in Basel.
Guitarist Robi Suffert (ex-Gad Fly) replaced Andrey in June 1973.
Ertlif expanded for a short time with Andy Gerber (violin, piano). In July
1973, the band returned to the studio to record their song "Plastic Queen" for
the Swiss rock sampler "Heavenly & Heavy - Mixed Swiss Rock Candies". In
January 1974, drummer Urs Schumacher (ex-Gad Fly) replaced Bölle and, by
the autumn of 1975, Jürg Lützelschwab (ex-Gad Fly) had taken over the
keyboard duties from Mosberger. The music became more rhythmical with a stronger
accent on the lead guitar. Ertlif continued to perform into 1978 before
disbanding to seek fresh challenges. The band reformed in August 1992 with the
original lineup.
Stanton Swihart (www.allmusic.com)