Claude Larson (AKA Carlos Futura, Klaus Netzle) was a frequent contributor to the German music libraries Sonoton and Selected Sound. Many of his albums focused on cinematic backdrops with a tech slant (plants, space, snow, fantasy) and early experiments with digital synths, being one of the first to make extensive use of the Fairlight CMI. As with a lot of 80s library music, his songs were an earlier example of the polished synth-pop/electronic sounds now popular with modern vaporwave/synthwave producers.
Several CL songs have resurfaced on Youtube in the past ten years. Aside from a Fiat LX reissue in 2018, though, they haven’t attracted the same attention as most of Youtube’s other revitalized 70s-80s favorites.
Youtube playlist
I’ve gathered my favorite Larson songs on Youtube with this playlist. Of course, the limits of Youtube’s selection means I can’t make aim for something ‘definitive’, but it make be a good sampler for the curious listener.
Note: I focused on his Sonoton history as most of his Selected Sound albums are rare jingle collections or full of 10+min songs that could disrupt the flow.
1. Sand-Dunes / Environment, 1978
2. Industrial Plants / Surroundings, 1979
3. Helicopter / Synthesis, 1980
4. Marshy Ground / Scenic Sequences, 1980
5. Panorama / Panorama, 1980
6. Biopulse 2 / Scenes And Images – Developing Underlays Vol. 1, 1981
7. Machine Language 2 / Industrial Future, 1981
8. Wolga / Rivers, 1981
9. Harpsi 1 / Digital Patterns, 1982
10. Hardware / High Tech, 198?
11. Blossom / Plantlife, 1983
12. Transformation / Digital Landscape, 1983
13. Dramatic Impact / Dramatic Impact, 1984
14. Autumn Mist Drama / Soundscapes Vol. 1, 1984
15. Wings In The Sky / Wings In The Sky, 1986
16. Aurora / Soundscapes Vol. 2, 1986
17. Synchrosonic / Synchrosonic Patterns, 1987
18. Haunted Clockwork / Synchrosonic Patterns, 1987
19. Alpha-Dream / Euphonia, 1988
Moons And Melodies 