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The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble

Mutations EP

(Ad Noiseam; US: 27 Jan 2009; UK: Available as import)

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.

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Based in East Vancouver, Ranta has been a freelance music scribe since 2004. His bylines have appeared in such publications as Exclaim!, CBC Music, PopMatters and Tiny Mix Tapes. He has also performed jury duty for the Polaris Music Prize, Pazz & Jop, and Juno Awards. Ranta graduated with distinction from SFU's Contemporary Arts program with a BFA in music in the summer of 2012.


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The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Shadows
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