The band Moongrass was formed in Germany in 1985, offering a mixture of Psychedelic and Progressive Rock sounds. One of their peculiarities has always been live shows in which long tracks allow them to best express their muical concept. After two decades of silence, they return with a new album entitled “Bodenlose Impros” on April 22, 2024. Opener “KneSoMi” is the album’s lead track, clocking in at over 22 minutes and exploring all the sonic facets that characterise the band’s style. The long instrumental textures range from progressive Rock to Jazz sounds through Space and Krautrock moments, always with a Psychedelic flair. The keyboards take centre stage for much of the song, both in the melodies and in the solo inserts, in which the saxophone also comes to the fore. The music is permeated by retro atmospheres, skilfully brought into a modern context through the use of electronic instrumentation, modulations and effects. The rhythm section is constantly evolving, as is the song, allowing the tempo changes to best develop the central theme of the piece with layering and modulation of sounds and a fair amount of improvisation. The following “Farbenrausch” succeeds in combining Ambient and Psychedelia by exploiting the wide range of sounds and instruments available. The atmospheres are softer and more dilated, enveloping and transporting the listener into a world of sounds more related to Kosmische Musik, always highlighting their own style and imprinting. An intro with electronic and ambient sounds characterises “Seelenspeckjustierer,” another long track of over eight minutes. As the instruments come in, the more retro component of the band’s sound comes out, with a soft rhythm section, guitar melodies and keyboards taking centre stage in both background and solo cues. In the second part of the track we find a more experimental and complex sounding section, with avant-garde and very intricate sounds and modulations. The album’s shortest track “Paramashivam” is a concentration of modern, electronic sounds with a psychedelic edge. Enveloping and with a solo insert that characterises its duration, in a constant musical crescendo. The closing track “Zwei wie alter Wein” shows the band’s more jazzy side. A solid, elaborate rhythm section and retro-style instrumental interlacing permeate the track, leaving us with very good vibes. A band that returns with an album with a varied and well-structured tracklist, managing to range through all the nuances that characterise their personal style. A recommended listen for lovers of Progressive and Psychedelic music with marked Krautrock reminiscences and improvisations through elaborate instrumental textures full of interesting ideas.
Tracklist
01. KneSoMi (22:25)
02. Farbenrausch (04:07)
03. Seelenspeckjustierer (08:11)
04. Gedankenzug (04:12)
05. Paramashivam (02:55)
06. Zwei wie alter Wein (03:02)
Lineup
Tom Rudy Webb / Bass, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Drums, Percussion, Flute, Accordion, Violin, Mandolin, Steel Drums, Oud, Blues Harp, Effects
Markus Knecht / Steel Drums, Guitar Soli
Elisa Six / Alto Saxophon on “KneSoMi“
