Crypto – Funk For Farmers (recorded December 3, 1974)

This superb funky jam off the short-lived Dutch jazz-funk fusion group's debut LP was written by Peter Schön, the multi-talented keyboardist who wrote all their songs.

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On December 3, 1974, the members of Crypto were at Dali Press Studios in the Netherlands recording their self-titled debut LP, the only one they would ever release.

This short-lived Dutch jazz-funk fusion band from Zandvoort formed in 1973 and broke up in 1975. It was led by the multi-talented Peter Schön, who wrote all their songs and played keyboards for the group. Other members were guitarist Bert Devies, bassist Wim Dijkgraaf, and Nanning Van Der Hoop on drums.

Schön, Van Der Hoop, Dijkgraaf, and Devies (clockwise from top left)

The album’s masterpiece was the superb funky jam “Funk For Farmers.”

Produced by Jos Reinards, the LP was arranged by the entire group and co-mixed by Reinards and Schön. Recording sessions took place from December 2-5 and on December 9, 1974. It was released in 1975 on Pandora.

The album’s other highlights included the mellow jam “My Bonnie,” the closing cut “Nova Zembla,” and the funky, spaced out suite “Gallfly/Mellon Cactus.”

Schön and Van Der Hoop also played together in the smooth jazz fusion group Pumpkin, who issued their self-titled debut album (and only release) the same year Crypto did in 1975.

Following the breakup of both groups, Schön and Van Der Hoop formed the disco-funk group Head Over Heels in 1977. They released one single that year, “Do That Thing” b/w the funky jam “Get Me On.” It was co-written by Schön with Rupert Van Woerkom and co-produced by himself and Rob Van Schoonderwalt.

Schön later produced a number of other artists, including Anita Meyer, Frizzle Sizzle, Doris D. & The Pins, Krezip, Marco Borsato, Laura Fygi, and Dolly Dots. He also went on to play with Nina Hagen.

#jazz #funk #fusion #Netherlands #PeterSchön #Crypto