Saafi Brothers: Liquid Beach (2003)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: March 15, 2003

Frankfurt, Germany-based Saafi Brothers are an electronics oriented outfit that perpetuates trippy vibes and calming EFX. However, the musicians (Michael Kohlbecker and Gabriele le Mar) enhance their palette with pumping rhythms and inauspicious treatments amid quaint melodies. They effectively meld elements of the visual with lucid soundscapes and blissful themes. Hence, it becomes easily discernible why these artists are in demand for commercials and film scores. There's an underlying pulse embedded among all of the dance-like implications.

One of the noticeable qualities of this record resides within the divergent characteristics when viewed upon as an entity. Otherwise, the instrumentalists execute this material with the delicacy and exactitude of a painter, applying strokes to a canvas. On the flip side, they're apt to meld faintly concocted tribal motifs via booming patterns and hallowed sounds by using space and depth to great effect. The group's layered approach provides a multidimensional framework that hits the mark in decisive fashion. Recommended.

Track Listing: 1.Summerhills 2.The Green Cloud 3.Seven Horizons 4.Feelings per room (feat: Jasmin Pour) 5.Fusedub 6.Sunchild 7.Metapop (after morning mix) 8.Liquid Beach 9.Lovin? Music (feat: George Din) 10.Metapop (feat: Dea II)

Personnel: Written and Produced by: Michael Kohlbecker and Gabriele le Mar

Record Label: Secret Life
Style: Electronica