Tab Two

Bassist Hattler and trumpeter Kraus had played together since 1987, for some of that time as members of Kraan.[2] They began composing together and started Tab Two in 1991.[2][3] Combining acoustic instruments and electronics, their music was referred to as "hip jazz".[3]

They signed for Virgin Records in Europe, and later Polydor, JVC Victor in Japan, and released eight albums together before splitting up in 1999.[2][3] Their music was used in commercials for companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Bruno Banani.[3] The duo's 1994 album "Hip Jazz" was named 'CD of the Month' by German magazine Der Wiener.[4]

After interest in reissuing their material, the duo held a press conference in November 2011.[5] The musicians announced a "temporary reunion" with a tour limited to 10 concerts, and the release of the 3CD best-of album Two Thumbs Up in 2012.[2]

In April 2012, at a festival on occasion of Hellmut Hattler's 60th birthday, Tab Two performed for the first time since 1999.[6] The recordings were released as the 6-track album Live at the Roxy, for download only.

In February 2013, Tab Two announced the release of the 3-CD set ...Zzzipp! extended. The album consists of the remastered live recordings from the 2000 album ...Zzzipp! plus an additional track of a rehearsal with the audience, and a bonus CD with seven tracks from the 2012 tour.[7]

In 2013 they played two concerts as Tab Two & Friends, with former guest singer Sandie Wollasch again, and for the first time with a real band, Oli Rubow on drums and Ralf Schmid on keyboards.

Albums

• Mind Movie (1991), Intercord Record Service/EMI
• Space Case (1992), Intercord Record Service
• Hip Jazz (1994), Intercord Record Service/Virgin/Victor
• Flagman Ahead (1995), Virgin
• Belle Affaire (1996), Virgin
• Sonic Tools (1997), Virgin
• Between Us (1999), Polydor
• Zzzipp! (2000), Polydor
• Live At The Roxy (2012), 36music (download-only)
• Zzzipp! extended (2013)

Compilation albums

• Robo Talk (1995), Victor
• Tab Two (1997), Virgin
• Two Thumbs Up (2012), 36music

Singles

• "My Horn" (1993), Intercord Record Service
• "This Beat Goes Boom" (1993), Intercord Record Service
• "No Flagman Ahead" (1995), Virgin
• "Vraiment Paris" (1995), Virgin - promo only
• "Let It Flow" (1996), Virgin
• "Belle Affaire" (1997), Virgin
• Tab Two (1997) - promo only
• "Get There II" (1998), Polydor
• "No Way No War" (1999), Polydor

• Official website
• Facebook (official page)
• Soundcloud
• Discogs