Jumpel - Samuel Jason Lies On the Beach
[Hidden Shoal Recordings]

Based in Cologne, the cultural heartland of Germany, Jo Dürbeck’s background in film and documentary soundtracking augers well for Hidden Shoal’s latest release. Recording as the strangely-named Jumpel, Dürbeck’s “Samuel Jason Lies On The Beach” places emphasis on 70’s Krautrock, electro-acoustic instrumentation and clicks n’ cuts programming.

When Hidden Shoal delves into electronica it is usually worth taking notice and Jumpel continues this trend, producing an eclectic album without fragmenting its overall flow.

“Lu Is Chewing” opens this release and lasts barely a minute long, yet it asserts Jumpel’s experimental nature, mixing crisp production techniques with an evocative piano arrangement. “Cleo” follows and features a creeping piano line and sweeping jazz percussion overlaid by electronic clicks, vibraphonic tones and cinematic strings.

“Raum”, meanwhile, incorporates a super-cool double-bass thud and shuffling drums to produce a mysterious Raymond Chandler style backdrop. Both “Rainday” and “No. 5-11” splice field recordings and found sounds into the mix. The former’s undulating ivory notes are augmented by some tranquil rainfall sounds and shimmering string work, while “No. 5-11” follows a similar path, but instead uses some sort of train/transport sounds.

“When Does J Come” is the most instant offering on “When Samuel Jason...”. Fusing deft beat programming with a hook-laden Tortoise style guitar riff, Jumpel will certainly get your head nodding and toes tapping with this quirky number.
Dürbeck has a superb understanding of technology and how to incorporate it into his compositions. The instrumentation is effortlessly blended throughout with the sounds emanating from his CPU, the beats are mixed to the front, yet don’t dominate the mix. It’s subtleties like this that make this effort so appealing. It’s an approach that allows every facet of his sound to breathe and exert its influence.

Much like a never-ending jigsaw, “Samuel Jason Lies on the Beach” reveals something new with each listen. Be it the swirling synths, chilled strings or intricately placed sound effects. Each little piece offers a glimpse of the whole picture. There is a certain something about Jumpel’s compositions, that’s hard to put the finger on, but it is a thoroughly rewarding experience nonetheless.

Track Listing:

01. Lu is Chewing
02. Cleo
03. Bills Block
04. Inlinked Castle
05. Rainday
06. Spence
07. When Does J Come
08. Public Transport
09. Raum
10. No. 5-11
11. Simpler
12. T-Ram
13. Interidium