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Zauss - Notturno Leise im Wind CD (album) cover

NOTTURNO LEISE IM WIND

Zauss

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

3.50 | 2 ratings

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memowakeman
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Review originally posted at www.therocktologist.com

This is the latest release of this international duo Zauss, consisting of Francesco Zago from Italy and Markus Stauss of Switzerland, as I mentioned in my review of their previous album, their music is not really easy to dig because they are part an improvisational band, with jams and free jazz sessions that in one song can surprise you with chaos and craziness, while in others they offer soundscapes and relaxing moments, this may be their charm, but is a double-edge knife because you either may enjoy it or feel bored.

Here, they give us 12 compositions that range from 2 to 9 minutes length, making a total time of 68 minutes. It starts with "Ein Riesenwusel" which has some soft seconds at the beginning but soon explodes with great sax craziness and experimental guitars that never disappear, so here the introductory track is quite loony at least the most of it, because the last couple of minutes it calms down and offer soundscapes. In "Schegge" a dark atmosphere is created, soft and far sounds can be perceived, cautious and tense, it is like a scary film in which all of a sudden something will happen and get the shit out of you, in this song it does not happen, but that sense of tension made me feel it would explode sooner than later.

"Morgenröte" has some somber moments like the previous one, however here the music becomes like tender, the guitar work made me feel peaceful and with a tranquilizing feeling, my mind feels relaxed and I can take a breath in my life, and enjoy my course, this might be one of my favourite Zauss' tracks. "Make a Zauss Noise Here" brings their jazziest side, in the free experimental jazz vein so here you can listen to a prominent saxophone while the guitar supports with some background notes.

"Tribal Music" is pretty experimental (well, actually the whole Zauss catalogue) here we will listen to several odd passages, loops and expectant noises. In "Pulviscolare" the sax returns to its main role, it is not quiet anymore, here it talks again while the Frippertronics sounds are constantly feeding the music. "Leisse im wind" is the longest track here, it is somber, dark, atmospheric, scary, etc. I love how simple noises can produce several images and feelings, so I create a story and imagine it, like watching a film or something.

"Mutazione" actually represents what the name suggests, we can listen to several musical mutations within its length, and also imagine some things like industrial machines, so we are mutating from a natural to an industrial life. "Echi imprevisti" is the shortest track here, a two-minute impro of craziness. "Vibrationen" has two or three calm minutes until the vibrations becomes a bit chaotic, repetitive and disturbing in the good sense of the word. "Carving air" is one of the most interesting tracks, I like its progression and the different nuances produced, it is not plain at all and I enjoy every single sound they bring.

The album finishes with another long one, "Big Breath" which shows the fast and craziness that the first track had, so we would think the album would be like this, but no. Well, I think I have not been that useful with these reviews since its music is hard to describe (to enjoy music you don't need to describe anything) however I hope you can have a slice of what Zauss sound is about. I liked more this album than its 2011 predecessor. My final grade 8 out of 10.

Enjoy it!

memowakeman | 4/5 |

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