Spring is here! More than proud to show off our new imaginary band!

The European Tumbao Research Group are:
Dr. Hubert Oberhofer, ts
Sergio Párraga, perc
Dino Romano, b
me, p

Check out Sergio's profile, finest percussion art over there: https://soundcloud.com/sergioparraga

This tune became most popular as "Part IIc." of Keith Jarrett's Köln Concert. We say thank you for listening, and hope you will enjoy!

Memories Of Tomorrow (The European Tumbao Research Group)

It's need-to-tell-this-to-my-therapist music Thursday! Please welcome our new imaginary combo "The Lamineers":

Sergio Párraga: Congas, Campana y Güiro
Jeff Roberts: Electrified Bass
me: what's left

Thank you a million Jeff and Sergio for having joined me with this ride. The road to get there was rather stony and winding --- some conversation excerpts: "I chose to enter the labyrinth of twisted meter and rubato alleys" --- "shall we call this one quits?" --- "man that is one idiosyncratic piece" --- "I take it as an adventure" --- "get that suckah out there!!!!!!!!!!"

https://soundcloud.com/jeff_roberts
https://soundcloud.com/sergioparraga

------------------------------------------------

There's no voices in my head, but they must be right
Danger's everywhere
Everything is fine, but you need to keep in mind, you really need to keep in mind
Little white round enemies

Alligator's coming

Come on, let's hide in the swamp
Nobody can see us, we're hidden, just shh
Kwui

Alligator's chasing its own tail
How did we get here?
Nobody can remember, but it was a perfect plan
OK there's a way out, but we need to find a bar

Left? Right? Straight?
Wrong direction, wait!
Light, streft, reight!

Come my brave soldier, shelter is near
We're out of provisions, but we still have a beer

Alligator's coming
Alligator's
Alligator's coming

Little white round enemies, mean mean calamities
Little white round enemies, leave me my identities
Alligator's coming

Soon we're there, just six bars more to visit
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Yahoo
Alligator's coming

Little White Round Enemies ft. Sergio Párraga and Jeff Roberts

It's if-I-was-forced-to-choose-as-which-album-I-am-reborn-I-would-go-for-Headhunters music Sunday!

This track features a secretly borrowed real violin, a sampled Chinese wok filled with water, and a saltmill from the Wieliczka salt mine. As we say here: Zum Wohl!

Chameleon

Very much liking this tune, thanks for having invited me, Lucas!

The ELFs are:

Vocals: Eemeli Miettinen https://soundcloud.com/user-247469724
Guitars and Bass: Lucas Diaz https://soundcloud.com/lucas-diaz-falabella
Drums: Richard Groce https://soundcloud.com/richard-w-groce
Keys: me
Mix and Master: GazG

The same in different cyberspace corners:
https://drooble.com/song/3508747
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9pE9XDtgaQ

--------------------------------------

Two months then I see you, three days then I meet you, why do I feel like i'm such a failure

It feels like I'm living under the water and I need your hand, it feels like I'm living under the water

We're now holding hands and I am happy oh why you seem to be somebody from my nightmares

It feels like I'm living under the water and I need your hand, it feels like I'm living under the water

We are going to see now hear now what I say to you now, I'm going to blow my head and cry

I blow my candles down for you and I'm so sorry, it feels like I'm living under the water

I draw my hands down for you and saying I'm sorry, it feels like I'm living under the water

Poisonous Flame (The ELFs)

Late to the party with this IPG1 open collab, but as a revenge there's a quintuple shuffle rhythm lurking around the corner. Thanks Ian, that was fun!

https://soundcloud.com/ipg1
https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/taking-it-back-vocals-95-bpm

Taking It Back ft. Ian Greaves aka IPG1

It's Thelonious-Panarlberg-Guybrush-Threepwood-Monkday! Commander Fullyard and myself had been snacking on this one since April 2021. More than happy that we finally got our baby born! While mighty Fullyard has done all the freaking magic he is famous for, my contribution was mainly about nonsense ideas such as playing the Theremin and sampling blowing-over-beerbottle sounds. Thank you a million times Stefan for this adventure, your stamina and all the wolves! The result is far beyond expectation; retrospectively it was clear however that things would be damn cool --- synchronized hairstyles obviously go hand in hand with synchronized vibes.

https://soundcloud.com/steve-fullyard
https://soundcloud.com/steve-fullyard/round-midnight

'Round Midnight with Fullyard

We had met for a jam session without plan and purpose during the last sunny Saturday afternoon last year. By the time of this recording, we hadn't known that soon we would want to go for pee break, that the studio door is self closing, that the key was left in the studio, and that we would end up with nothing but the clothes on ourselves, one face mask and a bit of cash, and that we would spend the rest of the day waiting in front of some pub until it would open because there were rumors that some Tim working there has another key.

Andrè Gärtner, bass
Martin Söhnlein, drums https://soundcloud.com/martin-s-1
FL, piano

Cover art by Katarzyna Von Kopytko (obviously she made jokes of my scribbling inabilities).

Fun fact 18 days after publishing: Martin just showed up at our place this morning, he had lost his keys, wallet, phone etc. again. I served him a glass of water.

The Band Without Keys

It's sevens-should-be-dominant-without-function-and-heels-should-never-be-flat music Friday! Thanks https://soundcloud.com/jeff_roberts for giving inspiration about what to do with a nonsense homeoffice afternoon (was also doing laundry but eventually fell asleep waiting for it).

Leadsheet here for those who prepare the next version of the real book: https://musescore.com/user/51462503/scores/8450978

Lydia Has Seven Flats

In response to "how many flats does Doria have?".

Doria had two flats. However, freaky Phrygia barged in, took her 6 sharps along, sat on Doria's spot and sewed herself a pillow. Everybody got enharmonically confused. Ancient Greek chicks, haaah. Leave them alone for a minute and there is a quarrel.

Usurpation!

In response to "Now I want to know if Lydia has a rephyrgerator in her flat?".

No, she doesn't. This is a problem because now Lydia has no place to put the leftover Mixo soup which is an attraction to all the monkees. Meanwhile, Doria and freaky Phrygia are still busy figuring out whether they are same or not. There are rumours that it depends on the root. Unfortunately --- no rephrygerator = neither carrots nor celeriac. (Why did I even start this.)

No Rephrygerator

Everything that can be heard was sampled from IPG1's fab vocals, except the one-bar Sting interlude. Thanks for keeping on doing this Ian!

https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/
https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/sets/clear-and-present

Clear And Present with Ian Greaves aka IPG1

So this poor Rhodes has been having a hard life with me... not very compatible with tramway and train, standing in a room where normally nobody is, having been used as a stand for all sort of things... and the cat has been doing crazy stuff with it, too.

Digged it out, cleaned it, fidgeted with this grrr sustain pedal for some hours, welcome back my friend!

The Liberation Of Rhodes Island

Video!! -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8MiJhAP5uY

Hazel & the Hoffs...

... on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HazelandtheHoffs
... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelandthehoffs.band/
... on the web: https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

... are: Fatos Drbaci, g; Florian Lüthi, keys; Markus Neckermann, dr; Renata Giannini, vox; Reto Kaspar, b.

Book us in and around Switzerland! -- https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

Demo recorded, mixed and mastered by Sigi Nikitscher. Video shot and produced by Ron Sumners.

Over My Shoulder - Hazel & the Hoffs play Mike & the Mechanics

Video!! -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BbcElratP0

Hazel & the Hoffs...

... on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HazelandtheHoffs
... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelandthehoffs.band/
... on the web: https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

... are: Fatos Drbaci, g; Florian Lüthi, keys; Markus Neckermann, dr; Renata Giannini, vox; Reto Kaspar, b.

Book us in and around Switzerland! -- https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

Demo recorded, mixed and mastered by Sigi Nikitscher. Video shot and produced by Ron Sumners.

No Diggity - Hazel & the Hoffs play Blackstreet

Video!! -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_GX3aBPoYg

Originally composed by Mani Matter ---> https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_Matter

Hazel & the Hoffs...

... on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HazelandtheHoffs
... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelandthehoffs.band/
... on the web: https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

... are: Fatos Drbaci, g; Florian Lüthi, keys; Markus Neckermann, dr; Renata Giannini, vox; Reto Kaspar, b.

Book us in and around Switzerland! -- https://hazelandthehoffs.wixsite.com/home

Demo recorded, mixed and mastered by Sigi Nikitscher. Video shot and produced by Ron Sumners.

Hemmige - Hazel & the Hoffs play Mani Matter

Finally it's ELFs Monday again!

The ELFs are:
Vocals: Eemeli Miettinen @user-247469724
Guitars and Bass: Lucas Diaz @lucas-diaz-falabella
Drums: Richard Groce @richard-w-groce
Keys: me
Mix and Master: GazG @gaz-g-136913257

--------------------

Raining, raining, raining, raining

I'm raging through your door now slowly raising my pistol 
I'm your raining man and any day I want to give you a ride on this self destruction
I'm your raining man and any day I want to give you ride


It's raining and it doesn't even matter, it's raining and it's getting even wetter
I'm setting my aim lock and load pull the trigger and you die bang bang
Raining, raining, raining, raining

it's just raining and I'm waiting till your blood flow reaches point of my shiny right shoe
As I'm saying there's no praying when I play I'll go all in and that's the truth

It's raining and it doesn't even matter, it's raining and it's getting even wetter
I'm setting my aim lock and load pull the trigger you down bang bang

Raining, raining, raining, raining
My smoking gun slowly cooling off on this cold blooded murder
As I was saying all I can give you is embrace of earth in seven feet under
My pistol aiming your head and blowing away sins as the rain is getting harder

It's raining and it doesn't even matter, it's raining and it's getting even wetter
I'm setting my aim lock and load pull the trigger and you die bang bang
Raining, raining, raining, raining

Rain of Consequences (The ELFs)

Micha and I had been playing this tune for 20 years in numerous outfits and occasions. During the tight lockdown we decided to record it in a JamKazam session. I then ruined the saxophone track with bad effects and programmed the combo around :-)

All Blues feat. Micha Surber

We Stole A Beat From Manu Chao!

Mercedes Benz feat. Janis Joplin + what we had stolen from Manu Chao

Archive has been one of my favorites since ever, so I decided to cover this one.

You Make Me Feel

The story about this track is simple -- made a drum track for a friend, but it got rejected ("too harsh"). Self confidence went to the bottom, and the voices in my head were insisting to produce something extra harsh. Music indeed is a good therapy. Anyway, this all wouldn't have happened if I just went to the zoo as originally planned for that day.

Fun fact: I have been owning a Microkorg for some 15 years, and this was literally the first time I had used its inbuilt vocoder. It even shipped with a swan neck microphone; it sounds exactly as terrible as it looks (and the more I keep staring at it, the more it resembles the weapon used for colonoscopy).

Should Have Gone To The Zoo

Ad hoc cover of this 1990s euro dance tune.

Freed From Desire

40 years of popular music, 17 inspirations, one fluffy cacophony. We are living in a world of wool!

The Definitive Sheep Song

It's Funky Monday!

Credits did not fit to the title, so here we go:

Alto Saxophone: Micha Surber
Mega Bass Slappato: Dino Romano
Vocals: Micha Surber, Katarzyna Von Kopytko
Rest: me

Monty Python's Intermission Music, as never played by The Meters

A cover (okay, let's call it a "remake") of the fabulous late-70s "E la luna bussò" by Loredana Berté. I used to play this one with a band a few years ago, and I immediately fell in love with the lyrics.

Obviously I have maneuvered myself out of the comfort zone once more --- apart from the usual walks on very thin ice with singing and trying to get meaningful notes out of a guitar, this time it is about Reggae and strings programming (both things that I have tried to avoid so far in my musical life). Anyway, if you think that violins and cellos do not fit to Reggae: yes, you are right.

Special thanks to Tyler Cressman for having proof-read the lyrics translation!

And the moon knock-knocked on the gloomy gates of darkness
"Come on let me in!" -- but they replied "no!"
So the moon went knockin' on the place where there was silence
But a rude voice yelled: "You're late and time's already up"
So the moon left the windows open and she went to find and see

To find and do something for the time being
After having shed some tears
About another "no", about some other "no"
From the ocean (you're nothing but a pond, man!)

And the moon knock-knocked on shaded glasses
But the look behind them didn't notice her
So the moon went and tried "knock-knock-knock-knock-knock" on a pool party
"Strictly members only, no exception for moons!"
So she rolled over champagne and caviar and she went to find and see

To find and do something for the time being
After having shed some tears
About another "no", about some other "no"
From a waiter
Oh no

But then down there, almost by chance
Closer to the sidewalk, where what you see is real
But then down there, where no moon needs to knock
Between the lashes of a child, to let him fall asleep
And then down there, between tatters, tears and love
Where luck is luxury: there we need you, moon!
And yes down there, almost by chance
Closer to the sidewalk, where what you see is real
Between the lashes of a child, to let him fall asleep
Between tatters, tears and rags, to let us fall in love:
there we need you, moon!

(ad libs)
Sidewalk boogie
(more ad libs)

And The Moon Knock-Knocked

An old Eddie Harris tune, heavily based on the big band arrangement by Erik Morales. We are playing this one with the local big band, and they didn't want me to solo on it -- this is my revenge.


---- There were multiple requests for pasting the lyrics, so here we go:

So, it's really something that's been great
But you need stamina
You need physical health
And you need mental health
Like you go:
Person, woman, man, camera, TV
Could you repeat?
So, I said yah
So it's person, woman, man camera, TV
Ok, that's very good
Get it in order, you get extra points
10 minutes, 15, 20 minutes later, they say:
Give us that again! Can you do it again?
And you go: person, woman, man, camera, TV
If you get it in order, you get extra points
They said nobody gets it in order, it's actually not that easy, but for me it was easy
And, that's not an easy question
In other words, they ask you to --- they give you five names and you have to repeat them
And that's ok. If you repeat them out of order, it's ok, but you know, it's not as good
20, 25 minutes later, and they say: go back to that point, then I tell you this: go back to that question
Person, woman, man, camera, TV
And, I got a perfect mark!
And the doctors were: they said very few people can do that
Very few people get that. You understand? It's not that easy!
There were other questions, tougher than what I just did.
But it's not that easy! But as soon as they announced my score at that test
And they said: wow!
You have to be able to show this country that the person that we're picking as leader is sharp
Give us that again! Can you do that again?
And you go: person, woman, man, camera, TV
They say: that's amazing! How did you do that?
And of course I have like, a good memory
Because I'm cognitively there
The last questions are much more difficult
Ah like a memory question
It's ah, like you go: person, woman, man, camera, TV
And they said: wow!
Go back to that question, and repeat them! Can you do that?
And you go: person, woman, man, camera, TV
Person, woman, man, camera, TV
They say that's amazing, how did you do that?

Cold Duck Time ft. Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV

Tina Turner cover! Heresy? Sure! I gave up on the voice, but still trying to achieve legs like hers. This one is a bit inspired by the version they played on the David Letterman show, with Bill Cosby on cowbell. Hope you enjoy!

The main reason I did this was because my maestro told me to practice the blues scale, so I made my first guitar noodle :-)

Undercover Agent For The Blues

It's Bebop Monday! Once more, the fabulous Micha on Alto and Soprano Saxophone. This one is also a good occasion for showcasing the "zero tolerance for space" mixing technique, invented by the good lords of questionable taste.

Footprints (or Beavis & The Buttheads Go Jazz Academy Prep Course) ft. Micha Surber

Doing this online electronic music production course, and this is the first track coming out of it. The basic adventure was to avoid playing real instruments.

Apologies that I haven't been active here for some time, needed a break and now this course keeps me busy. I know that I have missed a truckload of cool songs, but I will catch up with them soon, promise!

The Mental State ft. Holden & The Caulfields

It's Jovanotti Cover Saturday!

Dino just had his hand operated --- carpal tunnel syndrome, that sucks. So he cannot play, and in order to keep him busy we made this track together this morning.

Music/Lyrics: Jovanotti, Franco Santarnecchi
Vocals: Dino Romano
What's left: me

Le Tasche Piene Di Sassi w/ Dino Romano

Keeping on fiddling while Rome is burning. Some of my therapists say that music is sublimation which is a good thing.

Profile pic by Antonino Muscarello :-)

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