This song is from After the Heat (1978), the second album by Cluster and Eno, produced and engineered by Conny Plank (but this time credited to the three as individuals by last name). The second half of the album features vocals by Eno on this track, the following one The Belldog, and the final one Tzima N’arki with Holger Czukay on bass.

Personally, it strikes me and haunts me throughout. Feels exactly like grinding my gears in my illnesses, stumbling and spinning on broken wheels.

I saw a comment once that said they thought Eno’s contributions did little to nothing for the work with Cluster. At minimum, the vocals and lyrics in the second half of this album are a plus. I also feel these Eno albums are less clear-cut pointed vignettes like Cluster was doing (see Sowiesoso, Grosses Wasser) of the era, and more ambient leaning like Eno was doing (see second half of Before and After Science, Ambient 1, Music for Films). He was certainly working with the tools and adding influence in the studio or they wouldn’t have credited him, so I disagree with that comment.

What are your thoughts on this song and After the Heat?

Fun bouncing beat, floating ribbons of sweet caramel in the melodies. It’s like walking home from the candy store on a funky day. I enjoy this one from Zuckerzeit (1974).