The opening track of this album ‘Pictures Of The Sea’ would have been a far better descriptive title for this Balearic beauty of an album so don’t let that put you off cuddling up to Alex And The Grizzly.
As a long time fan of Mr. Prommer in his Christian Prommer Drumlesson (and the deep house collab with DJ Hell on ‘Freak It‘), it’s no surprise that when he teams up with Alex Barck (he of Jazzanova) we’re going to love the pedigree offspring that is Alex And The Grizzly
Well it’s a bit of a favourite on the Hectic CD player as it’s a bit Balearic, jazzy, techno and downtempo it was a first thought album I turned to when I heard that Chris Coco is running a mix competition to DJ on a boat. Check out below on player.
Note that these are only short edits of ‘Pictures Of The Sea’ and ‘Soweto Symphony’ so you need the full length versions and trust me, the whole album is full of gems.
‘Soweto Symphony’ starts with some string pluckin’ behind a rather lush synth that’s a tad Disco at the same time (these guys know how to merge their influences) and with some modal jazz vocals, the drama is this finest jazz-out deep house. The operatic elements really do add the right amount of pomp to this one and if there’s a live band version, you wouldn’t want to miss it (actually, they’ll be at Gilles Peterson‘s Worldwide Festival on the beach in Sete in July which sounds indeal, see links below) .
I first heard ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on the iPod whilst jogging along the beach at near sunset. It was one of those music matched the moment in oral ecstasy occasions (this was back in February mind) and its lots none of its impact now – such a fantastic start/lyric. Then ‘Submarine Bells’ is more cowbells on the white sands until we get a touch of Bruce Welch guitar and big orchestrated strings roll in.
And if you’re thinking ‘Lovin’ is a bit soft and gentle, wait until it goes all “Carl Craig” (who’s the celebrating 20 years of Planet E this year) and those female vocals come in; “Butterflies creating energy” – that’s one for the Choas theorists?
Not surprisingly, a track celled Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde’ as a real mix of influences (and not just polar opposites); there’s a bit of Bryan Ferry in the vocals, a bit raja and a bit house. One of the oddest of the year so far and you know that these guys have a sense of fun if they name a track ‘Gladys Knight’, especially if it sounds like the Human League meets Liquid Liquid! What our Gladys would make of it, who could possibly think?
On a similar trip, I’ve been to Barking on many occasions but ‘The Barking Grizzle’ is firmly in glory days of Detroit and Berlin’s underground resistance subway train service than any Mayor of London 2012 Olympic extension.
If you’re into the hard-on blurred edges of techno house of Sinden & SBTRKT or any of the Veryverywrongindeed releases, this might be too mainstream for you but I’d say that it’s that actually bit further leftfield/underground than you might think and you’d enjoy the difference.
With two guys stepped in music of jazz and dancefloor, it’s no surprise that they have produced an intelligent album for head and feet. It’s a perfect compliment to the other German revelation of the year so far, Brandt Brauer Frick and their debut You Make Me Real; mighty real and both albums are required.
Reviewed: Prommer & Barck- Alex And The Grizzly (Derwin Recordings) Cat. No: Derwin001CD Release date: 18th April 2011
Tracklisting:
01. Pictures Of The Sea (Love Theme) (8:08)
02. Submarine Bells (6:26)
03. Lovin’ (8:11)
04. Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (6:25)
05. Everything (7:30)
06. Gladys Knight (7:27)
07. Soweto Symphony (7:12)
08. Journey (6:46)
09. The Barking Grizzle (Detroit – Berlin) (8:06)
10. Sleeping Beauty (6:37)
11. Faces From The Past (5:56)
Links:
www.prommerandbarck.comChristian Prommer: www.christianprommer.com
Alexander Barck: www.jazzanova.comwww.derwin-recordings.com
RA News: Christian Prommer and Alex Barck team on new LP
1 Feb 2011 … Alex and the Grizzly will be the first release on Derwin Recordings, a new label managed by Prommer and Barck in association with Compost.residentadvisor.net
Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Festival 6 July 2011 – Sunday 10 July 2011 : www.worldwidefestival.com Th?©?¢tre de la Mer 34200 S?®te France
www.myspace.com/christianprommerGilles Peterson BBC Radio 1 Worldwide 02.02.11 Words And Music From Andy Butler from Hercules & Love Affair www.bbc.co.uk
Rise – Eastern Sermon (Futurisica Music)
Prommer & Barck – Sleeping Beauty (Derwin Recordings)
