Mute has announced a major reissue programme for our beloved Kraftwerk to be released in early October, as reported here by FACT Magazine.

This reissue will coincide with the 35th anniversary of their Autobahn album.

The reissue, however, will not include the band’s first three albums — Kraftwerk 1 (1970), Kraftwerk 2 (1972), Ralf und Florian (1973) —, focusing on the better known part of their catalog, from Autobahn (1974) to Tour de France (2003), and including The Mix (1993).

Leaving out the first albums and including The Mix is a decision I find questionnable, but hey, I don’t work for Mute, do I?

As for Tour de France, it’s so recent, does it really need a remastered version?

In any case, I don’t want to sound like a party-pooper, I’m really happy about this news!

Entitled 12345678, the reissue will be available in these various formats:

• 8 individual CDs presented in special slipcases featuring newly expanded artwork, including many previously unseen images all of which have been reproduced to the highest technical standards.
• CD Box Set containing 8 CDs in ‘mini-vinyl’ card wallet packaging, plus individual large format booklets.
• 8 individual heavyweight vinyl LPs with large format booklets.
• Digital downloads

As a mini-grieving for the non-inclusion of their first albums in the reissue, I propose you listen or discover this track:

Kraftwerk – Ruckzuck (from Kraftwerk 1, 1970)
Kraftwerk – Ruckzuck