Forget Retro, this is Future Funk

Under the name Peace Orchestra, Peter Kruder released this phenomenal electrofunk masterpiece of the same name in August of last year. One half of the tripped-out, Dutch DJ/remixer/producer team Kruder & Dorfmeister—who previously released a DJ Kicks CD on K7, a Sessions remix double album on their own G Stone label, Conversations, a compilation album on Shadow records, and an EP entitled G Stoned on Quango—Kruder proves he has the funky sensibilities to go it alone on this outing. The perfect mix of organic and synthesized sounds, Peace Orchestra pulls the listener through Kruder’s signiture soundscape of dub-heavy bass lines and psychedelic samples.

Although K & D’s brand of electrofusion is often dubbed “easy-listening music,” this is not what you would expect from such a misnomer. Would anyone dare call Herbie Hancock easy listening? Not since ‘70s fusion meister Roy Ayers has instrumental funk sounded so fresh. Kruder easily glides from the jazzy, down-tempo “The Man, Part One” through the funky dub track “Meister Petz” to the nearly 10 minute stomper “Double Drums.” This track alone should prove that Kruder’s brand of fusion is way above the average “electronic listening music.” With a pounding, slowed-down drum’n'bass beat, complete with congas, a slap-happy bass line, and wailing horns, Kruder builds a monster of a funk track that never gets stale. Easy listening indeed!

After some note worthy-noodling with eastern rhythms on “Marakesh,” Kruder gets psychological on us with “Who am I?” A spacey, introspective track with an echoey voice intoning/asking “whoooo am I?” The next track, “Shining,” is a bizarre, haunting song, complete with pounding timpani and an unidentified female vocalist singing the nihilistic refrain: “There’s no light today/I’m shining./There’s no love today/I’m laughing./Everything I give/I love to./Anything from me is yours.” Superb.

Peace Orchestra is a rare gem. An electronic album that manages to be origional, funky, and sophisticated all at once. The CD packaging features an actual band-aid with “Peace Orchestra” stamped on it, covering a flesh-colored (think old crayola color) insert with a cut in the center. Although good music like this may not bring peace to the world, a few good listens to this CD will certainly heal a few wounds. Not to be missed.