GOGO PENGUIN ~ Necessary Fictions
![[Image: ODItNTk1NC5qcGVn.jpeg]](https://i.discogs.com/IdSgYJyftLpxgcj3_AuP3w_CoaKKqZDsy1aW1BX1Erk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:531/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTM0MzI5/NTk1LTE3NTA1MjI5/ODItNTk1NC5qcGVn.jpeg)
I haven’t kept up with GoGo Penguin since their fourth release, and the first one I listened to – A Humdrum Star, 2018 - or should I say, I haven’t bothered because I seem to remember not being very taken with the next album I listened to after that. This, however, is a breath of fresh air. Modern jazz/electronica – the band hails from Manchester, which incidentally seems to be something of a spawning ground for shall we say, colourful musicians.
Wiki cites their musical style such … "The band's music features breakbeats, minimalist piano melodies, powerful basslines, electronica-inspired drums, and anthemic riffs. Their music also incorporates elements of trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical.
Critics have compared GoGo Penguin to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Massive Attack, and Brian Eno, as well as modern classical composers Shostakovich and Debussy or contemporary minimal music composers like Philip Glass."
The energy of whatever you want to call it really appeals to me! And I like the instrumentation, which you can just hear is skillful in its execution. There is a core of three permanent members with additional session players or guests. Primarily cello, double bass, viola, violin, piano, synths and drums. Super cool sounds – contemporary, experimental and a bit edgy without compromising or disrespecting the underlying tenets of musicianship. The bassist,, Nick Blacka, is especially brilliant IMHO, and keysman too – Chris Illingworth. They have a guest artist on board for the single vocal track - Daudi Matsiko, who is also a guitarist.
I would say that collectively, they are a perfect example of having each paid their dues, first getting to grips with the basics, and then based on that firm foundation, able to venture into successful experimentation. I honestly believe that you always need to have a solid grasp of the rules of whatever your discipline is, before you can break them. An undeniably quality offering – I may need to revisit previous works.
The driving, insistent opener … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGZgwmJrE0
Love the shimmering strings on this ...
That sung track ...
I haven’t kept up with GoGo Penguin since their fourth release, and the first one I listened to – A Humdrum Star, 2018 - or should I say, I haven’t bothered because I seem to remember not being very taken with the next album I listened to after that. This, however, is a breath of fresh air. Modern jazz/electronica – the band hails from Manchester, which incidentally seems to be something of a spawning ground for shall we say, colourful musicians.
Wiki cites their musical style such … "The band's music features breakbeats, minimalist piano melodies, powerful basslines, electronica-inspired drums, and anthemic riffs. Their music also incorporates elements of trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical.
Critics have compared GoGo Penguin to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Massive Attack, and Brian Eno, as well as modern classical composers Shostakovich and Debussy or contemporary minimal music composers like Philip Glass."
The energy of whatever you want to call it really appeals to me! And I like the instrumentation, which you can just hear is skillful in its execution. There is a core of three permanent members with additional session players or guests. Primarily cello, double bass, viola, violin, piano, synths and drums. Super cool sounds – contemporary, experimental and a bit edgy without compromising or disrespecting the underlying tenets of musicianship. The bassist,, Nick Blacka, is especially brilliant IMHO, and keysman too – Chris Illingworth. They have a guest artist on board for the single vocal track - Daudi Matsiko, who is also a guitarist.
I would say that collectively, they are a perfect example of having each paid their dues, first getting to grips with the basics, and then based on that firm foundation, able to venture into successful experimentation. I honestly believe that you always need to have a solid grasp of the rules of whatever your discipline is, before you can break them. An undeniably quality offering – I may need to revisit previous works.
The driving, insistent opener … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGZgwmJrE0
Love the shimmering strings on this ...
That sung track ...
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson