Embryo – Rocksession

Released in 1973, Rocksession finds German jazz-rock collective Embryo in peak exploratory mode—fusing psychedelic rock, free jazz, krautrock, and global rhythms into a heady, hypnotic mix. Where earlier albums leaned more into fusion and improvisation, Rocksession tightens the focus without sacrificing the band’s fearless spirit. It’s raw, open-ended, and rhythmically driven, with long jams that blend electric intensity with a loose, organic feel.

Opener “A Place to Go” builds from a simmer to a controlled storm, while “No Place to Go” flips the energy inward, all groove and texture. Christian Burchard’s drums and marimba guide much of the album’s movement, while Roman Bunka’s guitar and Charlie Mariano’s saxophone spiral out into mind-expanding improvisations. Rocksession isn’t about hooks or choruses—it’s about getting lost in the pulse. It's a powerful statement of Embryo’s mission: music without borders, both geographical and stylistic.

Reviews

“Rocksession pulses with restless creativity, threading the needle between krautrock propulsion and jazz freedom. It’s messy, ecstatic, and always in motion—a living organism rather than a static record.” – AllMusic

“Embryo don’t just play songs, they open portals. On Rocksession, the band grooves like a funk unit one minute, then spirals into free-jazz chaos the next—yet it all feels deeply connected and spiritually charged.” – The Wire

“Few records from the early ‘70s embody the idea of borderless music as vividly as this one. Rocksession is an exhilarating ride through the global underground—played with fire and freedom.” – The Quietus

“Improvised but never aimless, this album locks into deep, trance-inducing grooves and builds toward controlled detonations of sound. It’s a masterclass in tension and release.” – Uncut

“One of the most thrilling moments in Embryo’s vast catalog—Rocksession is a raw document of a band in constant evolution, equal parts earthy and cosmic.” – Jazzwise