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CD
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STAUB 047CD
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"Features remixes by Leafcutter John (Planet µ), TenEcke (Calla) and Mondomarc (Mondo Fumatore). It's the small things in life which make sure that though being chained to all kinds of dreary everyday routines you do not forget that life is essentially beautiful. When the sun is shining, when somebody unexpectedly turns and smiles at you or when you discover some beautiful new music -- that's life. This new record by Kat Cosm is like all these things at once. When listening to it, you'll probably feel a pale winter sun shine on your face or it will simply make you smile. And of course it's a great record.
And here are the facts: Jana Plewa and Sebastian Skalei are the two Berlin-based singer-songwriters at the core of Kat Cosm (I say core, because everybody who is in any way involved in this project can be regarded as being 'in the band' -- for example, when Sebastian talks about the guy who designed the cover, he talks about him like a member of the band). For this mini-album, they present two new songs which they composed and recorded at their respective homes. The songs are located almost exactly in the middle between electro-acoustic music and classic songwriting. Jana and Sebastian made sketches of these songs on guitar or piano, but recording them with the computer -- an instrument which they use very playfully -- is what gave them their final shape. Another trademark of this record is its richness in variety. Not only can one hear echoes from all genres and periods of popular music of the last 35 years, but Jana and Sebastian also take it in turns to sing. On top of that, we get a nice instrumental ('Hotgirl') and a demo by the title of 'Circe' which could have been one of Syd Barret's more beautiful songs -- if Syd had cared to write it, that is. Compared to their last album, this record also has a much better sound. Think as you may about the advantages of analogue recording; what Jana and Sebastian are demonstrating here is that it is very well possible to create a warm and rich sound at your PC. And if the term hadn't already been invented by Nicolas Currie a.k.a. Momus, I'd say that with this mini-album, Jana and Sebastian created a genre of their own: 'Folktronic'. So they may not be its inventors, but they're at least one of its protagonists.
More of less as a bonus, we are presented with three remixes of the first track. Leafcutter John (Planet µ) in his mix emphasises both the songwriting-side and the electronic aspect of Kat Cosm's music. Thus it sounds like an update of the Beach Boys before mutating into almost grotesque digital noise. The second remix is supplied by TenEcke (Calla). He deconstructs the original piece without robbing it of its original charm. The final remix is by Mondomarc (Mondo Fumatore; Marc and Gwen have also contributed additional vocals to the original track). He puts beats at the track's centre and creates something completely new from the source material. And now the record is over and the only thing left to do is to invite you to join (ladies and gentlemen): The Kat Cosm."
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LP
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STAUB 047LP
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LP version, full color sleeve.
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