Karl Blau – Zebra
Karl Blau is by no means elusive. The last decade has witnessed Karl as a prophetic musician and cultivator of collaborative, homegrown music. From D+, Yr Heart Breaks, recording with Laura Viers, Phil Elvrum, Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson, Bret Lunsford and Calvin Johnson, an impressive catalogue of releases through Knw-Yr-Own Records and extensive international touring, there is plenty for fans of The Blau to immerse themselves into.
Zebra is Karl’s seventh proper album and second with K Records. Blau fans should note that it’s also the first/only album of his that I’ve listened to. Recently, I’ve been enjoying (very much) Karl’s production on the new LAKE, Let’s Build A Roof. (Since this promo copy doesn’t include liner notes, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that LAKE is backing Karl on Zebra, and I believe the same goes for their current tour together).
Zebra is Karl Blau’s self-described homage to his African musical influences. Amalgamating styles of African decent with his own, Karl creates an album that feels natural and warm – not necessarily in the production, but more in the flow of the songs.
Each song is built with fragile layers, one on top of the other, all enveloped in bass lines flavored with blues, soul and rock. Drum, piano, bell, saxophone and flute are all celebrated in this album that at times is jazzy, jammy, funky, dancey and downright spacey. While not necessarily ambient, Zebra might cause one to one might recall Carl Sagan. For those who, like me, haven’t listened to Karl’s earlier solo work yet, I’ll put out the challenge of beginning with this one, and then working backwards. Then, when he returns to the Northwest and we see him play again, maybe, just maybe, he won’t seem so elusive.
Released on Knw Yr Own
myspace.com/karlblau
