Customer Reviews

Spirituals

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm listening to the album right now... it's blowing my mind how good it is. I am a huge fan of Atom Heart and Burnt Friedman in all their various forms, but Flanger is what started it all for me. I love 'Templates' and 'Midnight Sound' but 'Outer Space' didn't do much for me.
Spirituals is fantastic. It's all banjo and Django Rhienhardt, clarinet and grand piano but totally pixelled out... no dub here but really tweaked out and joyful old timey jazz band tunes. It's like nothing else I've ever heard... probably the most excitement I've felt in new music for a long time!
I. Love. It.

Yes, these globe-trotting musical ethnologists have done it again; managing to create an even more radical dub-techno jazz fusion than their previous releases while somehow sounding more like the original jzz by which it was influenced. It seems illogical but sometimes while listening to this you do a double-take and wonder if this is really an old jazz record from the 20's and why are you listening to this cause you listen to new, hip, cutting-edge stuff and that's for old people but then, no, the sound quality is too warm and present and a dubby electro noise creeps into the mix and you can't help but smile.
Those who are expecting more of the digital dub for which B. Friedman is renowned may feel disappointed as this album really is in the swing/jazz genre. One could call it cheesy perhaps but I am pleasantly surprised and can't help but feel a sincerity in the grooves that makes this a refreshing change of pace. There is also a pleasing clean quality to the sound that contrasts well with say 'Templates', another awesome record but one that I feel has a slightly technical and digital feel to it. This album does not at all, all the songs feel completely organic.
Not what I expected, but good.