Favours
Colonel Beats, 2020
8/10
A New York City artist originally from Germany who takes up company with many vocalists here, Wolff Parkinson White continues his lively electronic prowess on this 4th album where time signatures are manipulated in his self-described formula of ‘hard to listen to electronic music’.
“Sand” gets the album off to a glitchy, experimental start with all sorts of electronic noises as hazy vocals guide the unpredictable landscape, and “Department Of Failure”, with Norah Jones, brings a dreamy setting of adventurous sounds as smooth singing accompanies the dub sensibilities.
Further along, “Revolt”, featuring Alexa Barchini, enters darker textures with plenty of mystery, while “Bereavement, Eh” recruits an almost sci-fi atmosphere as Josh Mease contributes his soaring pipes. “Neon Faithful”, one of the stand out tunes, then moves with a chilling yet intriguing display of boundless skill.
Near the end, “Broken Point” gets even more creative with a haunting quality amid the electronica as Pascal Le Boeuf covers vocal duties, and “We Are All Dispersed”, with Gabriel Kahane, is probably the most musically unusual, as White finds his atypical prowess at an all time high alongside vocal effects.
Jochen Rueckert, aka Wolff Parkinson White, pays the bills as a jazz drummer, but this vehicle has him exploring another realm of innovation, where each new vocalists brings surprises to the aberrant and highly intriguing, sonically engaging effort that even comes packaged in a yoga mat.
Travels well with: Le Grand Sbam- Vaisseau Monde; Neuland- Neuland