KÄRMES

Fascinating album of jazzy, low-key, semi-improvised experimental music. Electronic pulses and drones with acoustic and electric guitars that channel Marc Ribot and other such avant-garde stuff. Trumpet playing borrows heavily from later era Miles Davis and synths and sparse vintage keyboards are like Tangerine Dream on downers. Add to that field recordings of various kinds and (too sparingly used) actual choir that's not here to sing but mumble, intone and chant.

Not all the tracks are great. Much of the playing sounds improvised and not very coherent and some things overstay their welcome while others could be developed further to real space explorations. Yet there is almost constantly present this bizarre otherworldly mood that really captures your ears and imagination.

Despite being somewhat half-finished here and there, the album as a whole is a rich and rewarding experience with home-made charm and freedom of expression. CD comes in stylish digipak with gorgeous photos including those of Verde's self-built amplifiers and instruments.