1. Boing Boom Tschak [2:58]
  2. Techno Pop [7:41]
  3. Musique Non Stop [5:44]
  4. The Telephone Call [8:03]
  5. Sex Object [6:51]
  6. Electric Cafe [4:17]
Recorded at Klingklang Studio, Dusseldorf, Germany
Mixed at Right Track, New York by Kraftwerk, Francois Kevorkian and Ron St. Germain

Ralf Hütter - Keyboards, electronics, voice
Florian Schneider - Keyboards, electronics, voice
Karl Bartos - Keyboards, programming hardware
Wolfgang Flür - Keyboards, programming hardware When Kraftwerk's "Electric Cafe" was first released in late 1986, I immediately picked it up on cassette. Back in 1986, I considered it a disappointment compared to their earlier work. It wasn't until 1999, when I picked up the CD to replace my old cassette that I rediscovered "Electric Cafe" in a completely different way.
"Electric Cafe" isn't Kraftwerk's best album but it certainly is a crowning achievement. There is more emphasis on rhythm and beat than on any previous Kraftwerk album.
Also, the use of sampled repeated phrases (ie: "Boing Boom Tschak") is now commonplace in today's dance music. There also is a slight minimalist approach to this music. Kraftwerk stripped their sound to its bare essentials here keeping the music simple and slightly more repetitive than on previous efforts. There was even one bonafide hit on "Electric Cafe".
"The Telephone Call" was in frequent rotation on many dance music stations at the time. The track also is unique because neither Ralf Hutter nor Florian Schneider sing lead vocals on this song. For the first and last time, percussionist Karl Bartos sings a lead vocal.

Although it is slightly underrated and there are better Kraftwerk albums available, "Electric Cafe" has aged gracefully over the years. Many of the sounds that Kraftwerk introduced here have now caught on with a younger generation of electronic musicians. This album was somewhat of a blueprint for what was yet to come with this genre of music. My thoughts on this album are different now than they were in 1986. This album becomes more enjoyable each time I listen to it. It can really grow on you and get you hooked. While it isn't a classic, "Electric Cafe" is a worthy investment. Check it out.

Louie G. Bourland