ARKAODA (WITH DAMO SUZUKI)

Just a long overdue move, taking place sooner or later. Damo Suzuki joins forces with the SPIRITCZUALIC ENHANCEMENT CENTER. That will promise an interesting sonical joint venture. Any objection? To those music aficionados, who, for what reason ever, should not know him ... Damo is a vocal acrobat somehow, best known for fronting the Krautrock band Can during their (probably) best phase in the 1970's, including the masterpiece album 'Ege Bamyasi'. He's a traveler-without-age, still around in the scene due to diverse projects and collaborations. The SEC band then again, formed by drummer Nicolas Sheikholeslami, is deriving from another generation, known for an experimental stylistically independent attitude in general. However, they once met and recorded some music in Berlin, at the 'Arkaoda'. That's the Turkish expression for back room by the way. Furthermore, U-Ra-Beja ... the track titles joined together ... this is said to deliver the Japanese counterpart then anyhow. That means three songs, two of them rather extended, were put on the album, which leads into a typical vinyl length production finally.

Predominantly subtle drumming as well as varied playful synthesizer effects and patterns are accompanying Damo over the course. Consequently, as usual, meaningful lyrics will not necessarily play a role here. He might not be everybody's darling. Combined with diverse effects the special vocal improvisation is not something for everyone's taste. No complaints though, I simply want to express that they are not delivering an easy to digest menu here. Anyway, at least designated Can connoisseurs will love this, I'm quite sure. Paired with that experimental freeform attitude the instrumental skills are out of question by all means. The closing Beja for example sees Damo taking a backseat a bit. My favourite, the shortest track Ra needs to be noted especially, features a nice halting drive with slight oriental flair, but also odd tempo changes. Open-mindedness is required. Just coming alongside with some typical Krautrock spirit this is a rather obscure production, released on the French Akuphone label. Definitely needs a place in your well sorted music collection.