PSI-HYBRID

A hybrid of paranormal phenomenons ... what could describe this in a better way? Compositions which do sound like jamming. With reason one can say that the ELECTRIC ORANGE members are the masters of uncommon ability. Since 1992 a chain of 14 items in the meanwhile, their albums are serving a priceless atmosphere in general. Absolutely reliable. If this band still should be new to you, how imprudent, well, it's nearly impossible to recommend THE starting point for the first listening session as such. It also could be 'psi-hybrid' quite naturally. They had to change the production procedure a bit in this case, of course also due to the COVID-19 circumstances. Which means more solo recording activity and less regular band session work. And with Werner Wieczorek they are having a new bass player aboard. And then, supporting some jazzy yet smooth moments, more by chance, Harald Königs was incorporated for some guest appearances concerning bass flute and saxophone.

Stylistically seen a pleasant move, more diversity as the result at any rate. What still stays, they are trying to assign funny track titles, mostly common terms altered to puns. Okay, not everything opens up to me hereby, eh, no worries anyway. Basically there's a very laid-back ride to state, underlaid with Georg Monheim's impeccable hypnotic and tribal drumming. Just to name the track Dilectric in this case. Dirk Bittner provides some wonderful spacey reverbs here. The 'regular' electric guitar does not appear with exclusiveness, alternatively you will be faced with zither and dobro for example. Proves the experimental character as no other.

Dirk Jan Müller delivers a wide range of keyboard and synthesizer stuff as usual. Provided with a strong Kosmische Musik relation, also known from his electronic project Cosmic Ground. If I should be forced to highlight other excerpts, let's say Shingle Robe with driving bass, symphonic keyboards and extraterrestrial backwards presented speech samples. Phenomenon is showing some nice tin drum impact. Or Mesocarp Blues due to the very relaxed and thriving flow. Although nearly everything has its roots in the Blues ... okay ... this has not much in common with the appointed style. Wonderful atmosphere here, including excellent bass line, flute and very effective electric piano as well as Mellotron. 4.5 stars. Great inspiration, wacky execution, still ... long live ELECTRIC ORANGE!

Dirk-Jan Müller and his band of Kosmisches groovemasters are back again with yet another highly engaging, enjoyable, and entertaining album release. Makes me wanna just sit back and veg!

1. "Report (0:57) 2. "Dilectric" (7:30) groovin' with some aliens. Very CAN-like. (13/15) 3. "Season of the Bitch" (9:32) great groove jam with sax and, later, wah-guitar soloing. I could psi-trail to this forever! (18.5/20) 4. "Shingle Robe" (7:17) very cinematic--and Australian Outback sounding. Cool shift in the middle. More alien voice recordings in the final third. (13/15) 5. "Phenomenon" (6:07) another kosmisches groove with some cool infinity guitar over the top--and dobro! (8.75/10) 6. "Psycho Harmony" (4:34) a more primal, worldly, David Sylvian-like groove (though, not uncommon to Holger Czukay, either) with Eastern percussives et al. Cool contrast between bass and flute/flute synth. Love when the bass harmonics are played solo opposite tribal drums and untuned metal percussives. (8.75/10) 7. "Mesocarp Blues" (8:52) more sedate, almost quiet jazzy groove with flute. Cool when 'tron play begins. Almost Beat/beatnik-like without it. (17/20) 8. "Subcutaneous Star" (8:21) keys give an almost orchestral/symphonic feel to this shamanic journey. Then some Frippertronics in the second half. Cool! (17.25/20) 9. "Wacky Amoebatrons" (11:07) crazy effects on guitar strums with "empty" bass and drum track beneath. And then pulsing organ chord joins and guitar groove goes more Ry Kooder--until the end of the third minute, then we go back to the experimental stringed-instruments strums & strikes--this time employing zither. When the whole band joins in again for the bounciness at the halfway point, it's good. Otherwise, it's only ? interesting. (16.5/20) 10. "Erusamu Basement" (7:34) dobro, cymbals, bass, and pulsing synth buzz open this one. Doesn't really go anywhere except to make room for guitarist to experiment. (12.5/15)

Total Time 71:51

B-/3.5 stars; a nice addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you like to just sit back and engage with the groove while musicians experiment over the top.