BURU HAZE

The good thing with Kanoi is that the quality of compositions, execution and production is continuously improving. I liked a lot his live in Arnbach II and the Gemstone EP which features a very good cover of PINK FLOYD's The Embryo.

Exactly this song must be mentioned. In this last album, the first as artist signed with a label, Benjamin Kantschieder from Wien has brought the sounds of the early Floyds to a new life. This is mainly Krautrock, but the strong relationship that also the historical Kraut bands had with early Pink Floyd is known. Also TANGERINE DREAM are in debt with A Saucerful of Secrets as EDGAR FROESE once said.

The use of fade-in, especially in the last part of the conclusive track reminds clearly to that album with the acid and bluesy guitar emerging from the deep, just following the more relaxed and sung part which makes me think to the mood of Grantchester Meadows.

Ben himself mentions Meddle and Obscured by Clouds as source of inspiration for this album and for the last track in particular.

But I also appreciate the most "noisy" parts. Before this one, the last album that I've listened to today was "Liquid" by the Dutch band 35007. Who knows the track "Tsunami" from that album will have an idea of how those parts sound.

This is in my opinion the best Kanoi release up to now, but since last year he has started a very good phase of his production. Everything he has released since 2014 deserves to be heard, especially if you like the early Floyd.

Not a clone, anyway. The guy is original enough, and if you don't believe me, you can give a listen to his older releases which are more Krautrock oriented.

4 solid stars.