Various

The In-Kraut Volume 3, allegedly the final instalment of the Marina Records series of obscure, funky German gems of the ’60s and ’70s, is just a lot more of the same, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Like many of these compilations, The In-Kraut Volume 3 can’t rely on an all-star roster to pull people in, but anyone who has heard an earlier volume will know just what to expect. The majority of the tracks are orchestral big band instrumental tunes, with a few songs that wouldn’t sound out of place in a British spy movie from back then. There are the usual expected cover versions and they are a bit of a mixed bag. The deadpanned version of Sonny & Cher’s "The Beat Goes On” by Inga Rumpf and Dieter Zimmerman’s string- and horn-laden take on "Whole Lotta Love” being the definite highlights. On the other hand, neither Lennon nor McCartney would be happy with what happened to "A Hard Day’s Night” and jazz standard "Fever” doesn’t fare much better. This isn’t quite as strong an album as its predecessors, so it might be good that Marina have decided to call it a day for the series before quality control drops off completely.