by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the first long playing release from Boozoo Bajou for nearly ten years. The Nürnberg duo of Florian Seyberth and Peter Heider are up to their fifth album, and in that time they have seen little reason to change a musical philosophy that has seen them produce some high quality down tempo music over the last 20 years.

Finistère sees them migrate to a new label, their own Pilotton imprint, presumably giving them more autonomy over musical decisions. These include vocalists JULES and Steve Spacek, who contribute guest slots along with co-producers Fürsattl and MODALiST.

The vinyl edition contains exclusive album versions.

What’s the music like?

Boozoo Bajou have the knack of making their music sound completely effortless from the first note., and so it is with this album. “You don’t have to say anything, you don’t have to do anything”, says the voice on Pen Ar Bed – and so it proves. This is music borne of the outdoors, with slow, dusty beats that creep across the sonic perspective, with easy guitar-based material close up and various atmospherics far off.

The beats are typically slow and dub-infused, with heat-soaked panoramas opening up on tracks like Tough Times. This is one of two excellent vocals from JULES, who adds more of a vocalise to Tiefer, later on in the album. She is complemented by Steve Spacek, whose contribution to Sparks features a beautifully measured vocal that takes the groove unexpectedly near to Sade territory.

Of the instrumental tracks, the tick-tock of Orfeu marks the easy passing of time, Calcutta Glow ambles easily down the street and Viajantes, an exotic-sounding number, comes to the listener through a thick heat haze of atmospherics. All these and No Catch, a sultry number, could easily last for twice as long and not outstay their welcome.

Höhensonne is rather lovely in its extended mix, the glare of the sun beating down on the listener, the musical equivalent of the middle of a hot day.

Does it all work?

It does. Boozoo Bajou play to their strengths throughout, the collaborators are very well chosen and the music finds just the right balance between laziness and emotional involvement.

Is it recommended?

It is, without reservation – an album that proves every bit as good as the last four Boozoo Bajou albums. These guys know the meaning of the word ‘consistency’!

Listen

This album is due for release on Friday 3 November, when a Spotify link will appear here.

Buy

You can explore purchase options for Finistère from the Boozoo Bajou website

Published post no.1,994 – Monday 30 October 2023