Review: 2 from Artetetra - Lay Llamas/Tetuan split & Holypalms - Jungle Judge

A twofer from ArteTetra, another perennial fave label of the blog. ArteTetra are a small label in Italy who specialise in tape runs of "exotic, psychedelic and ethnic sounds" and have already appeared a couple of times in these pages with some pretty special sounds. This time, however, they have surpassed themselves! In recent months they have released 2 tapes that are purely and simply brilliant!

Lay Llamas & Tetuan split



Lay Llamas are pretty much legends; their shamanic psychedelia has taken in funk, afro and all manner of ethnic elements. Over the space of 2, pretty amazing, albums proper they have grown in both stature and both their fanbase and reputation have grown accordingly. On the split tape with Tetuan, the Llamas contribute one 20min track - 'The Big Calm Sea Of The Transition' and it is a corker! The track was written, recorded and produced by Nicola Giunta/Lay Llamas, with Giunta on synthesizer, acoustic and electric guitar, bongos, djembé, cymbal, percussions, flute. Guests are Andrea Davì (bodhràn, bongos, drums, lali drum, indian bells) and Marco Bernacchia (vocals, lead and percussion, acoustic guitar). It begins with a continuous drone before a distinctly exotic flute gives proceedings an positively Saharan vibe. The introduction of ethnic percussion adds to this exotic feel and the melange of synths and drones lends a contemporary air. Over the course of the 20 minutes time seems to stand still and I swear I could feel the Sirocco blowing over me....this has got to be one of the standout tracks of the year...it ebbs and flows like a diamond flecked stream and is hypnotic to the point of inducing hypnagogic hallucinations....beautiful and simply stunning stuff. Tetuan are another Italian combo, not as well known as Lay Llamas but, in my view, just as talented. The band comprise of Cristiano Coini (bass, keyboards), Edoardo Grisogani (drums, sampler), Luigi Monteanni (guitar, clarinet) and Matteo Pennesi (keyboards, synth). They contribute 2 tracks to this split, the first of which is 'JuJu' - a driving track with an irresistible bassline and some pretty damned cool drumming. It incorporates some ethnic elements which mixes things up a bit but this is primarily a surging psych track full of attitude. The second track 'Lame Rosse' is different again, beginning with some celestial harmonies over some primal percussion before some mournful synths add an almost retro Giallo feel to things. As the track progresses all manner of flourishes and ethnic sounds are added over that metronomic rhythm. It comes across like a mix of krautrock and Italian Occult Psychedelia....another outstanding track. I find it almost criminal that Tetuan aren't 'bigger' outside of Italy...on this showing alone they would garner a sizeable fanbase elsewhere. This split tape is fantastic! Kudos to both bands and to ArteTetra for releasing.



Holypalms - Jungle Judge



If the Lay Llamas/Tetuan split was special, then this is out of this world! This is easily in the running for one of my fave albums of the year! Holypalms is ostensibly the vehicle for Muscovite Pavel Eremeev (a member of the Arab/math rock group uSSSy) - outside of that I know very little (except that his live show is something to be believed!). If I may quote from the ArteTetra Bandcamp page "armed with his baritone quarter-toned guitar, pedals, bendir and laptop, Pavel goes further into his own exotic music research, taking elements of ethnic music like gnawa or raga and traditional Nepali or Romal melodies, combining them with synthetic electronic (almost grimey) rhythms. No emotional kalimbas, neither soulful reeds, if there'll ever be a jungle version of Mad Max, this would be the right soundtrack!" - I think that neatly sums things up. 'Jungle Judge (gnawaRemake)' opens proceedings and straight away we are in a realm of heavy primal beats and ethnic psychedelic raga albeit at breakneck speed. Over the course of the next 8 tracks we are drawn into Eremeev's world of distorted electronic noise - sometimes verging on Muslimgauze level ethnic beat making (anyone who draws comparison to Bryn Jones is OK in my book!) - and exotic psychedelia. It's not always an easy listen; sometimes the electronic breakbeats are harsh and unforgiving, but it is always fresh and exciting. What Eremeev has done is nothing short of breathtaking - mixing ethnic and indigenous sounds with guitar based psych is a far from new premise on which to base an album, but 'Jungle Judge' takes it to the next level, and then some! The level of inventiveness is unsurpassed and it is an awesome showcase for Eremeev's obvious talent....this is essential listening for anyone who loves psychedelia, electronica... or pretty much anything really.



With these two releases ArteTetra are making a big statement; they are staking their claim to be one of the most creative labels out there and I, for one, hope that they go from strength to strength. Both these tapes are available via their Bandcamp page here and I'm pleased to say that, fingers crossed, the Dayz of Purple shop will be getting some ArteTetra stock in the coming weeks, including these two beauties!