Headed by enigmatic young composer Poppo Redband, and featuring some of the most talented musicians in the New York metropolitan area, the musical collective Elektragaaz offers a bewitching medley of electronic music blended into compelling immersive soundscapes.
The group definitely colors outside the lines, drawing on far-flung influences such as jazz fusion, hip-hop, progressive rock, club, techno, pop, dance, film noir, and even classical music for a wholly-unique result. Their recordings to date have been called "masterful and original," "mesmerizing," "ground breaking," "magic," and works of "musical genius." One reviewer opined that "Elektragaaz has reinvigorated and redefined instrumental music,” while another commentator suggested that the music "transports you the moment you press play."
In addition to Redband, major contributors to Elektragaaz include Kathy Sheppard on keyboards, Kate Amrine on brass, Tom McCaffrey on electric guitar, Jasper Dutz on woodwinds, Josh Henderson on strings and Mat Muntz on bass.
A guitar blast from directly overhead kicks off “Manhunter,” giving way to swirling keys and the rhythm section from below. The bass guitar interestingly holds its position primarily in the center channel. Drums thunder all around the listener for “Achilles Back From The Dead,” with more rear-panned keys and guitar moving front-to-back in the overheads.
Moving into “Dreamspinner,” electronic percussion rises from the side surrounds into the height array. Finally, the closing track “Central Park” opens with the mellotron hovering directly above the listener’s head. Guitar appears from the heights as well, along with ambient sound from the rear surrounds while the rhythm section dominates the front stage..
Though the EP will be available to stream in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, the best way to experience Kino Chromo for audiophiles would undoubtedly be the Dolby TrueHD/Atmos MKV files sold exclusively via IAA’s online shop. The Dolby Atmos mix makes full use of the immersive landscape, with distinct elements positioned in all twelve channels of a 7.1.4 setup. This compelling new music, with its sound fully-rooted in spatial technology, simply has to be heard to be believed.
Purchase Kino Chromo in the IAA Shop!