The Kandinsky Effect dives deeper into free jazz and electronic exploration, Gaudi returns to his dub and post-punk roots, and Schnellertollermeie keeps defying jazz power trio traditions.
The Kandinsky Effect :: Pax 6 (Ropeadope)
With Pax 6, Warren Walker (saxophone/synthesizer/effects), Gael Petrina (bass/effects) and Caleb Dolister (drums), offer the most mind-twisting chapter in The Kandinsky Effect‘s sonic evolution. It’s the trio’s most electronic-based album so far; however, these guys have a unique way of using electronics without making the music sound electronic. This makes their compositions impossible to define. It feels that this time there’s even more focus on texture, color, shape and movement—this was possible to achieve thanks to the arrangement with studio Maison des Artistes in Chamonix, France.
From the press release: “One of the larger milestones achieved with Pax 6 was the ability to spend a longer time working on the album in the studio. As a band that is based both in Paris, France and New York, USA, it’s not always the easiest task to schedule rehearsals and writing sessions. Previous records were often recorded with small two-three day studio budget and roughly one week of rehearsal time. On Pax 6, there was a lot more time to explore creative options in the studio. The band spent an entire week living at the studio, working in the middle of the night or early in the morning to fine tune the design of each song. The result is an album that captures exploration of each composition, and that’s exactly what the band is seeking.”
This fine tuning intensifies the emotional core of each composition. Of course, in a way, Pax 6 also marks an end of an era for The Kandinsky Effect. It feels that this is the furthest the trio can stretch its current vision. Now, these three talented and technically explosive musicians will have to reinvent themselves. Hopefully, some live show improvisations will lead to new sonic paths. If you enjoy the electricity on The Kandinsky Effect’s albums, you need to experience these guys live.
Gaudi :: Magnetic (RareNoise)
There’s an interesting story behind the creation of Gaudi‘s new album, Magnetic. It involves big guns like Bill Laswell, Eraldo Bernocchi, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Cyro Baptista, Jamie Saft and Roger Eno to name but a few. You can read all about it here. The people over at RareNoise have already started teasing us last year with a tasty little EP. I’m happy to say that the EP is included in its entirety on Magnetic. So what do we have here? Gaudi’s heart and soul pulse through heavy spacey constructions of dub, post-punk, electronica and krautrock. The emphasis here is really on the groove, the deep basslines and energetic drumming, but all in all you get the pyrotechnics of varied instruments: piano, Rhodes piano, synths, brass, programming. With invincible groove, majesty and might, Magnetic keeps the listener magnetized throughout.
Schnellertollermeier :: Rights (Cuneiform)
Schnellertollermeier not only has the weirdest name, it also makes the weirdest music. You never really know what will come next, what twisted turn, deep rumbling frequency or electric explosion will treat your ears and boggle your mind. I can say that I’ve become quite familiar with Schnellertollermeier’s sound and style, but even for me experiencing Rights, the Swiss trio’s fourth album (second for Cuneiform, following 2015’s mighty X) was an unpredictable vibrant ride. Bass, guitar, drums and effects generate undulating vigorous hypnotic movements throughout the four compositions. The three instrumentalists shift effortlessly from heavy, loud and dense to relatively quiet, airy, almost ethereal, and vice versa. With Rights Schnellertollermeier takes its idiosyncratic sound and style to new levels of radical creativity. Rights is a sonic circus operated cleverly and boldly in order to provide a unique and quite addictive sensory experience.
