new music reviews authored by paul khimasia morgan

Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Dark Zen Kollectiv - Live at The 19th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus Festival 2023

 


Dark Zen Kollectiv

Live at The 19th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus Festival 2023

CD  FRG Records  FRGCD068  2023

A cracking document on FRG Records (The Orb, Sendelica) of just one of Dark Zen Kollectiv’s live festival performances from last year, that they have titled “Ice Locks Up The Stones”, the significance of which is unfortunately not known to me.  However, I am a big fan of this shapeshifting spacerock outfit, which on this outing consists of Marek Bublik on drums, Shankara Andy Bole on guitar, bazouki and synth, Martin Litmus (from Litmus) on bass and synth and Bob Hedger (aka Jah Budhha - Phaselock, The Glissando Guitar Orchestra) on synths and guitar.  Regular bassist Mark Huxley carried out the mixing of this recording.  Over the course of an hour, the group improvise around a loosely composed structure, often alternating instruments, creating a dynamic and involving soundworld which references Rembetika, psych, progressive, desert blues, Kosmische and ambient with a tiny splash of Groundhogs which is all good by me.  The musicians are all drawn from established bands and know their way around a Neu! pastiche.  Central to this project is the miscellaneous strings of founder Shankara Andy Bole (Shankara, The Glissando Guitar Orchestra) who pushes the material along remorselessly.  Surrounded by a slew of technology, Bob Hedger captures the intricacies of both Berlin School and Kosmische maneouvres while Martin Litmus enthusiastically investigates the low-end capabilities of the Dr Sardonicus Festival sound system.  He’s locked in with drummer Bublik, due to their work together in Litmus, no doubt.  Exciting and beautifully realised - highly recommended.  See also the new self-released KOZFEST disc on the Dark Zen Kollectiv Bandcamp.

https://sendelica.bandcamp.com/album/dark-zen-kollective-live-at-19th-dream-of-dr-sardonicus-festival-2023

https://darkzenkollectiv.bandcamp.com/music

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