The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - From The Stairwell [MP3][320]

From The Stairwell

Label: Denovali Records

Format: CD

Country: Germany

Released: 2011

Genre: Electronic, Jazz, Rock

Style: Dark Jazz, Future Jazz, Experimental

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Finally, a real future jazz with dark essence. One of the best modern jazzists, for sure. This band from Netherlands definitely (and finally) got the meaning of the real dark, well made jazz.

Heavy ambients, disturbing sounds and the best technique working together to provide an incredible experience.

Ripped from pure FLAC to 320Kbps MP3 files.

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With the third full length by the Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, the group pulls us away from the murky depths of Here be Dragons and suspends us in some dark chamber of unknowing and wonder. From the Stairwell takes that title as an idea and pushes it well in the music, with each song throwing you deeper and deeper into a mysterious space within the fabrics of shadow and darkness. By Past Midnight you lose concept of what we see as the world and you are utterly lost within this conundrum of a place.

Starting with the first track we see some of the common ideas of the Ensemble take form once more, but with a fresher perspective. Some of familiar elements soon outline the song; brush stroke drum patterns, enhanced by well timed Dub protection effects, along with the moody bass-lines and various free form and droning electronic elements. Then there is also great piano melodies, muted trumpet wails and the larger use of the beautiful female vocals they started incorporating soon after their debut.

Many of the songs revolve around free and echoing brass and wind melodies that mold smoothly through different moods as the rest of the ensemble expand and contract within chords and phrases. What I also liked was the stronger use of reverb-y and laid back guitar parts that give a soft, hazy sound to the whole group. Cocaine is a standout, starting with about 10 minutes of droning and free form collages of sounds and notes that slowly build in feel and force. The unsettling moods tightens and grows to the point where its overwhelming. Then... it all drops, leaving the deep and relaxed sighs, and a wonderful and calming string section that forms, establishes, and then finishes the song in a fade into utter bliss.

What I like most about this album is the sort of chamber jazz feel that makes its way into each of these bizarre and atmospheric arrangements. The stronger use of the horns and an overall tighter rhythm section gives this a fresh and unique feel, which is something I always liked about all their albums. They are always going for something new. That is so apparent in the other giant track on this album, which is also the album finisher. Past Midnight, being true to the name and idea, is a long epic of swirling sounds and instruments moving through echoing passages and builds. The last part of the song is just straight powerful droning electronic sounds and ominous horn lines as it tries to suffocate you within its atmosphere, as if the music trying its hardest to keep you within its grasp before you can be pulled away back into reality, as the album ends.

Review by Tier

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