dark jazz / ambient / experimental
In my previous review (read), I wrote that Finnish one-man project J. Kill and Mr. Mule had evolved into a full band. The whole thing has become more serious instead of an experimental playground so the band decided to change their name to Käki, which means cuckoo. The music however is still exciting and immersive as ever. So I guess it's only natural that I throw their first four albums into one big review.
Katoa
"Katoa" means "disappear". This is the first album, a solo effort. Jere recorded this after four days in isolation in a basement studio. It took him twelve hours to complete the album but the result is quite interesting. It combines dark jazz with something I can only describe as gritty Americana music. The songs are slow, lingering blends of jazz, drones and ambient but in a way they also come close to some cosmic, psychedelic jams. I think this stuff is perfectly suited for fans of Dale Cooper Quartet and the Dictaphones or Bohren Und Der Club of Gore and I think I will have to mention these names again real soon.
Huku
|
"Huku" translates as 'Drown'. This album can be seen as the official start of Käki as a group project instead of a one man project. Here, perhaps a bit hesitant at first, the band starts to work together, resulting in four long tracks. Again, you can hear flashes of shoegaze, post and psychedelic rock, plus a decent dose of jazz goodness. In a way, there is a certain restraint here, as the tracks don't really reach an apotheosis. Yet, in a way, this careful and minimal approach feels destined to become something great. Slowly, you can feel the chemistry building up. Personally, I can't wait to hear the next one.
|
|
Valu
|
On Valu ('Drip"), the band engages in an acoustic experimental jam. These four tracks have been recorded live and you can hear passing cars, beer cans opening and cigarettes being lit. Perhaps that sounds a bit weird but to me, this is where the real chemistry happens. Nothing says "We're a band" more than casually improvising together. In a way, Anathema comes to mind, obviously because of the acoustic guitars, but also Sepultura's 'Kaiowas'. In all, 'Valu' is something completely different from Käki's other work but it remains an interesting piece of work.
|
Thought Patterns
|
The last one sees the use of a DIY instrument and Jere playing saxophone for the first time in his live. The opener 'Dead Cranes' sounds quite weird because of that but nonetheless, we're digging deeper into the jazz scene with this effort. From then on, the band engages in a gloomy jam session, again with four lengthy tracks. The minimal approach still stands but you can hear that these guys are stubbornly going their own way. I like that and I think it's time that Käki leaves the Finnish soil to embark on a European tour. I'm sure that they will enchant dark jazz aficionados far and wide with these jams.
Serge |
|
