Parov Stelar - Seven And Storm

The greatest attribute that Parov Stelar obviously has, is the ability to truly correspond with the music listener. As if asking the right amount of questions of someone who listens attentively! Enough that they don't get bored or uninterested and ultimately dissatisfied, and not too many of the listener as if the act of hearing music is some sort of university challenge that produces exhaustion! It's the success that has paved the way for Pavor Stelar to be Austria's greatest new export in the last two years. And so the story continues with the second album release from Parov Stelar. Seven and storm asks a few more questions this time, but we know that ostentatious behaviour and boastful self indulgence are far from the questions asked. Musical correspondence is still the total objective for Parov Stelar. 'Simple' and 'interesting' are the two words that come to mind when listening to the new album. Somehow you sense the two words should not be compatible but somehow Parov Stelar makes them so. There is a wonderful minimal feel to Seven and storm, as if Parov is stripped bare and exposed. There seems to be a sequence of musical drawings telling a story in all the tracks. Emotion runs high, tense, fragile, heartwarming, heartbreaking sometimes. As with 'Rough Cuts' the previous Parov Stelar album, Seven and storm seems to just be a perfect accompaniment to being a westernized young adult. Guest appearances from Phoebe Hall, Billy Kern, Odette Di Maio, Miss Anita Riegler and Leena Conquest add beautifully to the atmospheric smokey jazzy feel of Seven and storm. Their presence is wonderfully acted out. Another amazing belonging and security to Parov Stelar is the use of samples. We are sure no one right now is using samples in such a sophisticated and mesmerizing way. Sampling is a art form and Parov Stelar is a master of this principal activity.

Lushlife Project - Budapest Eskimos

Zoltán Palásti Kovács and Konrád Pilisi a.k.a. "The Lushlife Project" present an excellent fireworks of music on their CD "Budapest Eskimos", which excites with wonderful, catchy, and easy-going melodies. Joie de vivre, fun, enjoyment, and dreaming - Lushlife! Whoever finds their bodies moving to the rythm, just a bit at first, then more and more: Don´t panic. This is what every listener experiences. Just go on dancing or melting away. In Hungary, and especially in Budapest, Zoltán Palásti Kovács and Konrád Pilisi are an integral part of the music and underground scene. They are the pillars and pioneers of an electronic music that is fascinating people far beyond the borders of its home country. They have brought their decades of experience in music into their "Lushlife Project", which has started about two years ago. To their experience, they added hungarian heart, temperament and their history. Zoltán Palásti Kovács is musicologist and historian. He has studied singing and plays all sorts of instruments. Under his pseudonym "zoohacker", he has already published on internationally known compilation tracks. Konrád Pilisi is a radio presenter with his own radio show, and a well-known DJ with excellent references. Trip-Hop, Soul, Jazz, Ethno - a seemingly neverending row of elements makes up the wonderful Lushlife project sound. It creates emotions, pictures, and atmosphere. What is special: The sources from which the two artists draw their inspiration are inexhaustible - Hungarian traditional music (see for example the title "Essence Of Our Origins") and the complete history of music, which Zoltán Palásti Kovács knows from his heart due to his studies. Tibetian folk songs cannot be blended into Trip-Hop? They do not harmonize? Wide of the mark! Zoltán Palásti Kovács and Konrád Pilisi prove the contrary. Their creative and innovative music has vision and future. Special highlights are their live performances which both artists appreciate and love. On stage together with other professional artist, soon everyone knows: If you are hot and cold at the same time, it must be the "Budapest Eskimos"!

Tosca - J.A.C.

Fatherhood turns the life of a man upside down. Especially during his primal years. Suddenly there is someone in the house who needs to be taken care of 24-7. And, there are new sciences to be mastered: Swaddling, the cooking of baby food and dealing with the troubles of teething. In short: A new man is born. That is also why three male names (albeit abbreviated) grace the title of the fourth album by Tosca, ''J.A.C.'' which stands for "Joshua, Arthur, Conrad". These are the names of the sons of the two Viennese producers Rupert Huber and Richard Dorfmeister, a.k.a. Tosca. Between the release of their last album "Dehli 9" and their new masterpiece, the two became fathers, Rupert Huber even twice. As all Tosca albums relate to biographic events in the life of Huber and Dorfmeister, the birth of their sons was naturally the most appropriate for an album dedication. Thus, "J.A.C." is not music for babies. Rather, music for ladies. Moreover, the album is perhaps the most consistent formulation of the both carefree and melancholic sound of Tosca. The melodies quicken, the grooves are funky and laidback and the variety of musical styles are marked by a wide choice. The album breathes the characteristic sound of Tosca, yet it is shaped by a fresh understatement and a breathtaking musical authenticity. Moreover, there are new voices on "J.A.C.". The Egyptian-French singer Samia Farah from Paris sings with her Billie Holiday-esque voice on the wonderful "Heidi Brühl". Chris Eckman, lead singer with Seattle based band The Walkabouts sings on "John Lee Huber", a track for which Eckman paraphrised a John Lee Hooker-Song on Rupert Huber. Additionally - as heard on Dehli 9 - the former Rockers Hi-Fi MC Farda P, London´s Earl Zinger and the Austrian rock legend Graf Hadik appear on the microphones. To put it short: "J.A.C." is a great piece of music and an excellent new Tosca album.

Urbs - Toujours Le Même Film...

Reissue it is not! Found in a Parisian loft or basement it was not! 'Tourjours le méme film' was created and composed in a time long after the ideals and conformities pertaining to Paris in the 60's. The music is dramatic, romantic, mysterious, suspenseful. Often heroic in its ability to tell a personal truth unashamedly from the artist. The distinguishing facet of the album is the quality of being able to involve the listener. Engaged as a participant yourself, you find also stories, narration and recitals of that which has occurred past or present, or maybe even in the future. It's a wonderful and moving musical expression that is undeniably timeless. It was when Peter Kruder heard a six track demo that things really started to take shape for Paul Nawrata aka Urbs. Peter realising the warmth and sincerity in the compositions offered generously to mix down and co produce in his newly revamped vintage equipped studio. Hence this superlative album was born.

Madrid de los Austrias - Mas Amor

Heavy vino tinto, flamenco and other typical Andalusia flavours inspired the duo to their sound excursion combining a laid back laissez faire feeling with exotic rhythm shades. This second album and follow up to the acclaimed 'Amor' has all to become a future classic! The stunning result of a long and healthy production process. The boys went to Spain to record songs together with traditional flamenco artists. It's truly astonishing how worlds continue to collide in the electronic music world. The global village in action! Every imaginable cultural collage can be pasted together with amazing results!
Madrid de los Austrias, perfectly exemplify this multi-culti phenomenon. This fusion of traditional flamenco roots and the elaborate Madrid de los Austrias trademark sound proofs to be a perfect combination.