GROTESK 2

This is a good album with lots of variety which usually means it's going to be "hit and miss" for me and it is. GROTESK are from Germany and they came up with the band's name by combining Muck Groh and Wolfgang Teske's last names. Three of the guys were either present or past members of AERA and I have to mention AERA's "Hand Und Fuss" album from 1977 as one of my favourite Jazz related albums, so good! So bass, drums, guitar and keyboards are from the AERA musicians and they added a sax and a clarinet player making this a five piece band. They released two studio albums and this is the second one.

My two favourite songs are first "Salome" with that Indian horn and style which adds some fire and energy. Almost 8 minutes long and we get plenty of atmosphere contrasted with that Indian mode. Also despite it's title "The Tramp" is the most memorable song on here. A warm and melodic piece with a bass/ drum foundation. The opener has an Electronic vibe with those synths early on before turning into Jazz territory. It ends like it began. "Dream Dancin" has this WIGWAM flavour so it's kind of cool.

Not big on "Yeah" with that horn over top with synths as bass and drums support. Electric piano leads for a while as the horn steps aside then we get dual horns as the piano steps aside. "Voice Of The Lyricon" is 15 1/2 minutes long and it starts off experimental for around 3 1/2 minutes before kicking into a catchy groove. Bass leads 5 minutes in. More experimental stuff then a drum solo around 8 1/2 minutes in that lasts almost 3 minutes. Then it turns jazzy with walking bass and the whole bit. Horns and organ to the spotlight a couple of minutes later. The closer is short and bright. It's okay.

Despite there being a couple of "misses" on here I'm really impressed with this album. The horns are inventive at times dissonant and while the synths don't always do a lot for me I feel this is a 4 star record. Easy to tell that these guys are ultra talented.