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Kontroll-Raum is a new German-Dutch project on the Manikin label featuring Bas Broekhuis, Frank Rothe and Mario Schönwälder. The 73-minute outcome was realized in 2020 which meant the extensive exchange of music files between the musicians due to the pandemic restrictions. Compared to the works I’m familiar with of BKS and friends, the music proves (poly)rhythmic- driven and less sequential as it takes its own (progressive) turn on Berlin School music in which dreamy, synthetic, industrial-angled, and cosmic components unite. On the 11-minute “Escape 38” this is carried out in a minimalist, smooth bouncing fashion while “Raum 23” addresses mechanical, colder atmospheres with an enigmatic pulse. Lush ambient chill-out in repetitive mode though is exercised on “Pour Alain” while certain Fanger & Schönwälder-airs on the unhurried “For a Roadmovie” can’t be missed either. Spatial rhythms and sequential pulses are the appetizers at the entrance of “C9 0505”, but soon a (dreary) solo-voice kicks in as well while the rhythm increases gradually. “Check-out”, the final piece, attempts to recap things in a psychedelic mode but stays too distant and vague to my ears in the first half to keep my attention. All in all, Kontroll-Raum’s debut is for all who appreciate the Manikin catalog and BKS & friends especially I reckon. Rating: between 3 and 3.5 stars. |
| Website: manikinrecords.bandcamp.com
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