"Flow Motion" is the seventh studio album by the German rock band Can, released in October 1976. The album features the UK hit single "I Want More."
Recording sessions for Flow Motion began in the spring of 1976 at Can's Inner Space Studio in Cologne. Since their previous album, Landed, the band had been using a 16-track recording machine, which altered their dynamic. This allowed members to record their parts separately, moving away from live performances. The album embraced rhythms, particularly disco, which were not well received by some rock fans at the time. It was mixed using "Artificial Head" binaural stereo technology. The cover art features a photograph by band member Michael Karoli.
Musically, Can continued to experiment with various rhythms on Flow Motion, incorporating playful elements like disco and reggae. The use of 16 tracks allowed for multiple guitar lines from Michael Karoli and highlighted Irmin Schmidt's keyboards, contributing to the album's shimmering atmosphere.
The opening track, "I Want More," captures a disco vibe that is short, catchy, and danceable. Released as a single, it became a hit, reaching number 26 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1976, and the band performed it on Top of the Pops.
Reggae influences permeate much of the album, with the band experimenting with rhythm and instrumentation. This is evident in "Cascade Waltz," which merges a reggae beat with a waltz, and "Laugh Till You Cry - Live Till You Die (O.R.N.)," where Karoli plays the Turkic bağlama.
Following the reprise of "I Want More" with "...And More," side two begins with "Babylonian Pearl." This track features vocals by Irmin Schmidt and lyrically references a girl from a unique land. The lyrics for the album were penned by Peter Gilmour, the band's live sound engineer.
The next track, "Smoke (E.F.S. No. 59)," takes a more experimental turn, driven by Jaki Liebezeit's intense ethnic tom-tom beat. The album concludes with the lengthy and unrestrained title track, "Flow Motion," further showcasing the band's experimental spirit.
