This is a reaaally difficult and frustrating article to
write. It’s the kind of band that writes music of such a
high level of whatthefuckness that it constantly baffles and leaves you
wondering: what’s the point? Well, basically, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble is a project started in 2000
to compose music for already existing silent movies… and… and… and that’s about
it.
Their self titled 2006 album picks up the formula mentioned
above and goes freaking menstrual with a clusterfuck of genres, ranging from
jazz, acid, and some sort of mutant form of electronic/dubstep, which creates
an eerie sound that I was never able to label or comprehend . There are moments
when I find it to be the perfect kind of background music while sleeping or
studying ; sometimes, it makes me giggle and imagine a slasher movie with a
zombie Frank Sinatra as the protagonist. But then comes that moment when it
creeps the hell out of me and .chester finds me three days later hiding under
my bed – random samples and chaotic drumming alternated with silent parts (both
long-lasting and brief) which are briefly interrupted by high-pitched noises.
In the midst of this
computer generated madness, the jazz thingie works pretty well and it made me
realize how limited and prejudiced people are about this genre. Be honest with yourself: what’s the first
thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word ‘’jazz’’? Annoying trumpets, lame saxophones, impeccable
looking lead singers… The things that give your grandmother wet dreams well
into her 80’s. But here, the jazz element is freaking awesome: it’s dark, gritty and experimental - it’s
like watching Sin City, minus the cartoony violence and a raging Mickey Rourke.
But ambiental as it might be, this is definitely not the kind
of album you’d play while having some sexy time with your girlfriend. And not
just because she’d immediately file for a restraining order on account of you
being such a creep that you played it
prior to sexual intercourse, but because you’d be distracted
from all the other goodies this record has to offer. Although TDKE comprises
all the necesary characteristics, I wouldn’t call it a concept album, because
then we’d assume that it seeks something when it’s really not the case here. It’s all about expressing emotions and ideas
through sound; it’s about drawing surreal images that leave you in a state of
wonder and, finally, it’s about pure atmosphere. And holly hells, ladies and
gentlemen, that’s one very well crafted atmosphere, to say the least – it’s
mysterious, charming, and it sucks you
in right from the very beginning. If this album were released in 2012, it would
have definitely been my first choice for the most atmospheric album of the
year. Unfortunately, Tzeeac Inc. lacks
the proper technology to time travel, so I’ll have to postpone this for
sometime in the future.
TDKE is one hell of a jazz/electronic/ambiental album and
it never ceases to impress me, no matter how many times I listen to it or how
difficult and frustrating it is.
One more thing: how the fuck is it possible for a band
lacking a Wikipedia page to have TWO million scrolls on Last.fm? Come on,
people, I’m expecting some answers. It really bugs me.
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