Kampec Dolores - Earth Mother Sky Father


Year of Release: 2005
Label: Poseidon
Catalog Number: PR-003
Format: CD
Total Time: 54:24:00

Hailing from Hungary, Kampec Dolores has existed in various forms since 1984. Earth Mother Sky Father is the group?s sixth studio album and my first exposure to their singularly original, ethnically-derived music. Emphasis lies on the word original, because I've never heard ? or maybe just never noticed ? the like of Kampec Dolores before and, after listening to Earth Mother Sky Father, I'm wishing that I had.

Making comparisons won't be easy here, but my first thoughts were of Azigza and Quikion, both of whom I enjoy very much. Credit that to the Balkan/Middle Eastern sound of Earth Mother Sky Father, musical territory that both groups have explored to fine success. Of course, in the case of Kampec Dolores it's a direct reflection of their Eastern European heritage. But Kampec Dolores don't restrict themselves to what they know best. Here, Mediterranean roots and a bevy of western influences mix together to create music both eclectic and intriguing. Coupled with the gypsy-ish, dervish-inspiring eastern rhythms are touches of Porcupine Tree, Diamanda Galas, jazz, blues, psychedelia, and RIO to produce a panorama of colorful songs ranging from intimate folk and smoky lounge jazz to spacey ambience and danceable world funk.

At this point, it would easy to single out Gabi Kenderesi's girlish vocals or Hu Grencsó's wind instruments as the key ingredients to Kampec Dolores' sound, but that wouldn?t be fair to their bandmates. The performances of Csaba Hajnóczy (guitars, programming), ?rpád Vajdouich (basses), and Tamás Ölueczky (drums, percussion) are just as unique and important to the musical tapestry as those of Kenderesi and Grencsó. However, Kenderesi's singing does catch the ear, not so much for the sound of her voice ? sort of a mix of Dolores O?Riordan (The Cranberries), Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) and Yukiko Totoki (Quikion) ? but more for how it's used. Kenderesi weaves in and out of the group dynamic with entrancing repetitive choruses, wordless duos and trios with other instruments, and Galas-style undulations, adding unusual color and depth to the singular group attack. Now, about the CD....

Earth Mother Sky Father is divided into two distinct parts, with the first consisting of an eerie introduction and three 4-minute length songs. These seems to serve as a warm-up ? or perhaps a warning ? for second part, made up of five longer songs, ranging between 7-9 minutes, that let Kampec Dolores stretch out and experiment a bit. What's interesting is that, regardless of the song, Kampec Dolores manages to pack a lot into it. The shorter songs are concisely structured, but just as exploratory and varied as the longer pieces, particularly the rousing "Shikadam." The big songs are looser, but structure and melody are so well maintained that the music never gets lost while it meanders and explores. "Night Train" is the best of the lot; programmed rhythms cast the listener adrift on a sea of eerie ambience (a la Porcupine Tree) haunted by drifting, wordless vocals, then gives way to a brief but biting psychedelic funk very similar to that found on The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" ... spooky. But that?s just an example, because every song, each in its own way, is an intense and rewarding experience.

Given the unusual character of Earth Mother Sky Father, it's basically impossible to categorize, which could be a problem for nit-picky progressive rock fans. But for the enlightened many with a taste for eclecticism and inspired performances, Earth Mother Sky Father is definitely worth adding to your collections. Time for something different, gang ? check this one out.


Tracklisting:
Introduction (1:37) / Were I Able To Fly (4:37) / Szürgündejnem (4:45) / Shikadam (4:49) / Kalimba (7:21) / I'll Run So (7:29) / Night Train (7:17) / Mountains Should Move, Though (7:00) / Fifteen (9:23)

Musicians:
Gabi Kenderesi - vocals
Árpád Vajdouich - bass
Hu Grencsó - wind instruments
Tamás Ölueczky - drums
Csaba Hajnóczy - guitar, sampler

Discography:
Kampec Dolores (1988)
Levitation (1991)
Eye Of The Needle (1993)
Rapid (1996)
Sitting On The Buffalo (2000)
Koncert! (2003)
Earth Mother Sky Father (2005)

Genre: Various Genres

Origin HU

Added: October 11th 2006
Reviewer: David Cisco
Score:
Artist website: www.kampecdolores.hu
Hits: 3846
Language: english

  

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