Gurumaniax: Psy Valley Hill (Bureau B)
Perhaps best known for his contributions to Guru Guru, German prog drummer Mani Neumeier (who is approaching his 70th birthday) has left a significant imprint on experimental music.
Ranging from hallucinatory psych jams to far-out free jazz, Neumeier’s work is beloved by many, including collaborators such as Dieter Möbius, Peter Brötzmann, and Acid Mothers Temple.
Gurumaniax, his latest endeavor, pairs Neumeier with friends Ax Genrich (ex-guitarist of Guru Guru) and Guy Segers (bassist and founder of Univers Zero). The material is very much in the jam/improv camp with strong psych- and space-rock elements.
A fuzz bass, guitar loops, and Neumeier’s percussive range are just a few of the compelling elements, and Psy Valley Hill runs an impressive gamut of effects over the first two tracks alone — which, unsurprisingly, top 21 minutes.
Gurumaniax: “Drumoroto”
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Male: German for Shark (Other Electricities)
Male, based in Chicago, is a core duo/trio of ambient improvisers. Following last year’s full-length debut, All Are Welcome, this vinyl-only sophomore effort is a stronger, fuller affair.
Like its predecessor, German for Shark was constructed with the aid of jazz-playing heavyweights, creating a series of interpretations of Jonathan Krohn and Benjamin Mjolsness’ core tracks. Each was augmented via studio improvisation by local standouts Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), Josh Berman (cornet), Nick Butcher (tape), Steven Hess (percussion), Mike Reed (percussion), and Dave Rempis (saxophone).
But make no mistake: the material is nothing like jazz. Slowly building and waning, the songs infrequently establish melodic progressions, or they spread them over great durations of time. The whole album is an atmospheric success, although the few tracks with a steady, repeated base — such as “Doom Thus (Two)” — excel by providing something concrete behind swells of feedback, samples, and indecipherable sounds.
Male: “Doom Thus (Two)”
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Honorable Mention
The Loneliest Monk: s/t (Kilo)
