The Birds - Blue Mosque [Pampa]

The first release is from Die Vögel, a collaborative project between Jakobus Siebels and Mense Reents. Jakobus is an innovative multi-instrumentalist who has previously recorded distinctive albums for Tomlab, Chicks On Speed Records, Karaoke Kalk; the equally talented Reents is a member of the groups Egoexpress, Die Goldenen Zitronen and Stella, and operates the Art Blakey Studios in Hamburg where this EP was recorded.

Upon hearing A-side 'Blaue Moschee', you immediately know it's going to be a strange and wonderful journey: an oompah-style brass loop is layered and re-layered over a stripped-down kickdrum, this rhythm plays with all received notions of what house/techno music is! With a musicality and sense of mischievous humor that naturally appealed to Koze and Fink, Siebels and Reents have crafted a timeless dancefloor hit using the most unlikely of elements. The result is definitely not “techno jazz” – the brass, far from being an afterthought, is the very substance of the thing; it provides the melody, the bass, and the groove.

Brass is the driving force behind the entire EP. B1, 'Petardo', is also propelled by growling trombones and tubas, this time offset by whispering winds and set to a rolling, almost tribal drum beat. The horn chords are reminiscent of melancholic 60s British jazz, while the winds bring a fiery, South American flair to proceedings. The track is full of subtle edits, but Siebels and Reents don't overwhelm the mix with synthesized sounds, instead letting the acoustic instruments speak for themselves. 'Empire', the closer, once again finds exquisitely arranged brass parts intertwining over a firm, purposeful beat, underscored with a broken 4/4 pulse and handclaps.

Often, when a new label claims to be taking risks and trying something new, the truth is rather less remarkable. Not the case here: Siebels and Reents have crafted a trio of wildly original and inimitable tracks that combine the pop and the avant-garde, the cerebral and the physical, to absolutely stunning effect. It may be unusual and it may be clever, but it's still dance music pure and simple. Magic!