SO UFERLOS IM ABENDWIND

Uberfall is a Swiss band which was active at the end of the 1980s and the start of the 1990s. Seeing as it is Swiss, it's natural to assume that Markus Stauss would be involved and you wouldn't be wrong to think so. Markus again plays a vital role in the music of this avant-garde jazz-rock trio and actually contributes some vocals as well (he even raps on "Nah und fern").

"So uferlos im Abendwind" is in fact a compilation of their first three studio efforts. The compositions were all done by Stauss and Kayser and a lot of them are based around synthesizer themes, which is a peculiarity for Stauss's projects, but a refreshing change nevertheless. The prevalent styles are avant-garde and jazz-rock, but we also hear hints of cabaret, funk and even pop. It's hard to compare this music to anyone else, but I would say that the dark mood and vocals on some pieces remind me of early 5uu's with Curt Wilson on vocals. Still, for the most part this is impossible to classify because it sounds so fresh, new and original even today. It is dark, humorous, positive and sophisticated at the same time.

As I've said, the band occasionally delves into pop music, but it is fairly obvious that they're making a satire of it rather than glorifying it. This can also be seen in the lyrics, where they mock the casualness of pop music. Even though pop is the last thing they want to do, it's clear they do it really well as the melodies are immensely strong and the playing very compact. If mainstream pop would sound so sinister, wacky and playful at the same time, I'd gladly listen to it. As it is, a parody of it is that much more convincing. But don't think this is all this album is. This is only a small portion of it, specifically some of the vocal parts, which are scarce as it is. This is highly clever music, which doesn't take itself too seriously. It's too clever to be popular (and that is its purpose) and also not so directly comical or accessible to appease the masses. Their purpose has therefore been achieved.

Although a compilation, this is a very worthwhile purchase as the studio albums are only available through Fazzul Music on LP. If you want something unconventional, amusing and highly imaginative, look no further. And don't let the fact that the lyrics are in German deter you from delving deeper into their music. For the most part the album consists of instrumental sections, which overshadow the vocal segments, even though they're not obtrusive and actually provide entertainment and fit in really well. It's an advantage if you understand the words because they can be quite clever and sarcastic, but it isn't a necessity in order to enjoy the music. In any case, another album that should be sought out by any fan of experimental yet accessible music.

Interesting jazz rock from Switzerland!

Nowadays, if you are looking for progressive rock from that European country, you will probably find a project in which a very talented musician called Markus Stauss is involved.

This is the case of this jazz rock oriented trio named Überfall, which was formed in the mid eighties, they released four studio albums and then disbanded in the early nineties, but anyway, in 1994 the band released this compilation album entitled "So uferlos im Abendwind", (don't ask me what it means), and it comprises some representative songs taken from their studio albums, so here you will find an excellent introduction to this interesting band. This album feature 15 and a total time of 73 minutes, so yeah you will have more than an hour of enjoyment of this jazz (but avant-garde) band. The members of this trio were the above mentioned Markus Stauss, playing sax, additional keyboards and other extra instruments, he also provides the vocals to this band, Pit Kayser who was in charge of keyboards and also vocals, and Andy Muckenhirn who played drums. It is important to mention that there are guest musicians in some songs.

Despite being the same band, there are tracks that are completely different, though they do not miss the band's essence, that jazz sound prevails in each and every of their songs but in some of them there is a gently, exquisite and more melodic sound, though in others there is a crazy, challenging and more complex style. For example track no. 4 "Happiness" reflexes what its name suggests, so it is a funny and really enjoyable track, the sax work is excellent; but in the other hand you can appreciate a track like no. 5 "Kulturbetried" with a nervous mood some kind of dark atmosphere.

The music in general is excellent, though I have to admit that there are some tracks I less enjoyed or didn't like, and I must say that the vocals are not my cup of tea, I also must admit that I cannot understand the lyrics, but anyway I prefer the instrumental offerings.

My favorites are "Happiness"; "Uferios"; "Eiszeit" which is a very interesting song where you can appreciate an outstanding bass sound, excellent drums and extraordinary keyboards. All in all is a great album, more pros than cons, and an excellent way to get into the band, now I believe their studio albums are only available as LP, so this compilation one can be the best choice.

As I usually do in this kind of compilation albums ("best of"), I will give it three stars; recommendable to any prog rock fan, worth checking out. Special thanks to Rok and Markus.

Enjoy it!