krautfunk by jo jena
this album is the continuation of my preoccupation with the concept of pulse and drone* which were conceptually formative in the early days of the minimal avantgarde. my interpretations are informed by free improvisation, synths, odd-meter-funk and techno. especially the latter was developed in so called post-industrial regions like german "ruhrpott" or the "rust belt" since around 1975 (more about my view on this complex in the four hand-drawn sketches included as extra material in the download).
both the rhythms and the minimal scapes/ambient tunes were created in a series of studio sessions as free solo improvisations. I was looking for a certain sound, trying - as the climbers would say - to "flash" it, i.e. to get straight through to the result without any preparation: the somewhat edgy and rough character of the album is deliberately intended after the careful schönberg and jazz recordings this year.
* see 3 strat studies/hot air (2000), rhythm 'n' drones (2004), scapes & experiments (2005)
Tracklist
| 1. | krautfunk (feat. siegfried jackson jr.) | 3:59 |
| 2. | study in postindustrial duisburg | 1:08 |
| 3. | friedrichskreuz | 2:43 |
| 4. | grünfeld | 4:05 |
| 5. | schwarzwäldler | 2:30 |
| 6. | boche/bosch | 1:25 |
| 7. | schraubenkönig | 2:11 |
| 8. | rosa resonanz | 2:30 |
| 9. | rothenbachkopf | 2:31 |
| 10. | hidden champignons | 3:08 |
| 11. | braunfeld | 2:31 |
| 12. | global green social democracy | 2:57 |
Videos
Credits
jo jena - electric baritone, 7 & 8 string extended range guitars, fx, guitar synths, looper
special guest: siegfried jackson junior - guitarsolo on track 1
played, designed, recorded & mixed by jj; recorded at studio gresham, frankfurt am main in late spring 2021, mastering by LANDR
thanks to E# (recommendation of boden guitar!), bartek mitka, lofileif and mike west. special thanks to e. for great overall support and artistic consulting.
this album is dedicated to u. & s.
instauratio minima musicarum 2021
License
All rights reserved.
„jo jena seamlessly melds a variety of influences – extended acoustic techniques, ambient guitar, and 20th century harmonic practices to deliver a captivating and fascinating listening experience.”
ben monder
imm is an independent r&d hub with the aim of exploring new forms of musical expression. most recordings are solo works by jj. collaborations i.e. with burtis knight complement it.