Plop
Old Splendifolia (D,2008)****
This sadly ‘Japanese only’ release deserves more international attention and at least an extra release in Europe! And in the meanwhile when I think Frank Schultge‘s vision (F.S. Blumm) has grown to the point he could be the perfect producer (with the help of some of his friends) for a record like this, it is especially with a strong singer-songwriter context, and a vision and a voice like that of Jana Plewa(The Kat Cosm) that the result really shaped the optimal form. Nothing of the sounds is more than what is just needed. We hear delicate pickings, elements of beautiful folktronica surrounding moments of the songs, rather jazzy moody double bass, and confirming-these-moods French horn improvisations, forming the moody background for a voice which shapes itself between poppy, jazzy and bluesy, creating with it warm feelings, ode to life expressions, with a few small tired cracks in the voice (which made me say bringing in an element between jazz and bluesy). Recommended !
A cooperation from Frank Schultge (F.S. Blumm), production, and Jana Plewa (The Kat Cosm) on vocals with the help of Andreas Otto on cello (3 tracks), Ulrich Wangenheim on bass clarinet on 1 tracks, Jan Thoben on shakers, drums (3 tracks), Harald ‘Sack’ Ziegler on French horn on 5 tracks (on 14 with a slightly distorted produced sound).
