Orange Peel from Hanau near Frankfurt/Main was an early, hard-hitting progressive rock band founded in 1968. The members were H. Peter Bischof (voc, perc), H. Leslie Link (g), Ralph Wiltheiß (keyb), Heinrich Mohn (b) and Curt Cress (dr, perc). In 1970, they recorded their only, self-titled album at Dierks Studio, produced by Gerhard Rieger. The result was released in 1971 on the Bellaphon label and was an organ-dominated blend of progressive rock and some blues rock elements. This release marked the beginning of drummer Curt Cress’ long and impressive career. At the time the album was recorded, he was only 17 years old and was still studying the art of percussion. The quintet disbanded in 1971.

To this day, their debut album is still regarded as an exceptional example of early Krautrock, characterised by long tracks full of improvised, psychedelic Hammond organ sounds and edgy electric guitar solos. Original copies of the German Bellaphon pressing with cover artwork by Helmut Wenske are extremely hard to come by these days.