Why go on a long journey when you’ve got Bitchin Bajas? Their latest EP, Isle Peaks, seems to hint at faraway destinations right from the title. And this krautrock-influenced trio is, of course, always up for a trip. Right from the start, the opening track ‘Ajami’ slowly gets into its stride with a dry, jangling mbira, before a (synthetic?) bass and a distorted saxophone join in after a few minutes. The mbira and bass keep the engine running, whilst the saxophone begins to tell a story without imposing itself uncomfortably on the others. Electronics, which also come into play at another point, do the rest. A guitar seems to be chipping in there in the background as well. Or is that the distorted organ? Meanwhile, the rhythm slowly picks up without breaking out of its controlled framework.
Sixteen minutes during which, afterwards, you find yourself wondering just what on earth was going on. The title track, by contrast, seems more static at first. It’s only after a few minutes that you realise the sails have long since been set and you’ve been carried out to the open sea by acoustic guitar, drone and the sound of rushing water. Chords shimmer as if sunlight were refracting in waves – an extremely peaceful climax. Later, the wind blows the harmonies slightly off course, and your bearings go overboard. Yet everyone’s happy.
Isle Peaks EP
