The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble: Mutations EP

Now known infamously for his hardcore jungle persona Bong-Ra, Jason Köhnen actually formed the Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble around the turn of the millennium along side an A/V schoolmate and drummer named Gideon Kiers. Originally a small project dedicated to the creation of new scores for existing, often classic silent films, the duo slowly blossomed into a sextet (and counting). A cellist, trombonist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist singer all contributed to the collective’s eponymous debut, released by Mike “µ-Ziq” Paradinas’s highly influential Planet Mu in 2006.

With a significantly less focused Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation collaboration in between, Mutations adds a violinist to the mix while continuing their live improvisation based exploration of creepy post-rock, experimental jazz, and drone electronica. As great as the debut record was, everything about this EP teaser for the upcoming sophomore full-length on Ad Noiseam indicates it will be a superior product. The production is that much more spooky, rich, and atmospheric, and the song structure that much more purposeful and realized. It seems they have struck a perfect symmetry in the studio as a group, feeding off one another and performing cohesively. There is not a wasted moment to be heard. Mutations will slide its greasy fingers up your spine and linger there until you like it.