An eclectic, dramatic, polyrhythmic mix of jazz, modern classical and drum’n’bass by the experimental British musician and producer Tom Jenkinson, in this dramatic, abstract, cerebral and cinematic release featuring a host of instruments from bass to chamber strings and harpischord. The title, from the German for chamber concert, is defined as performance by a small orchestra, but in this case it is all very impressively Jenkinson himself. From the scatalogically symphonic opener K1 Advance, with echoes of Stockhausen, to Jenkinson’s nimble-fingered bass coming to the fore in the stripped back K2 Central, backed by strong cinematic orchestral organ chords and click beats, all instantly keeps the listener on their toes. K3 Diligence has a vivid soundtrack feel with deep undertones. K4 Fairlands brings in polyrhythms and spreading themes across strings and brass. K5 Fremantle, with starker piano and eerie keyboards, could be a disturbing horror movie soundtrack. Moods continuously ebb and flow across the album, from the woodwind of the gentler K6 Headquarters morphing into sharper, darker territory, or the funkier harpsichord of K7 Museum. Other standouts include the vibraphonic restlessness and bass synths of K9 Reliance, evoking vivid scenes in some urban underbelly, to the breakneck, mindbogglingly clever interplay of noodly polyrhythms between harpsichord, drums, woodwind and strings of K10 Terminus, or K13 Vigilant’s stop-starting syncopations before slower, more ambient and solemn church organ closer K14 Welbeck. Challenging at times, but also highly engaging and invigorating, this is extraordinarily adventurous, intricate, complex, alternative and evocative work. Out on Warp Records.
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