Search - Beanfield :: Human Patterns

HUMAN BEANS

SVEIJKMAN | HAINAN | 04/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Faceless techno bollocks' was a tongue-in-cheek t-shirt sloganthat provoked wry amusement a decade ago. Whilst possessing more thana grain of truth, it is exactly this music that - to my ears, at least - continues to astound and break the new ground with minimal fuss. The best examples are consistently emerging from continental Europe, in the studios of Munich, Vienna and Copenhagen, where the musicians are quietly getting on with the task in hand - namely releasing material that is musically excellent, artistically challenging and almost totally hype-free. By techno, we're not talking banging 4/4 machine music either. How electronic music has moved on! BEANFIELD, from southern Germany, have succeeded in crafting an album that intrigues and beguiles, using an almost symphonic approach, with a tight ensemble juxtaposing lush orchestration with chamber-jazz arrangements featuring strings, flute, Fender Rhodes, string bass and drums. The blend of the electronic and organic has rarely worked better than on Human Patterns (Compost). Just check tracks such as 'The Great Outside' and the title track for a life-affirming breath of fresh air. On 'The Season', the evocative spoken-word vocals of Bajika, calls to mind both Ursula Rucker and Erykah Badu."

Excellent downtempo electronica

Tom Douglas | Mid-Atlantic | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The is something afoot in Europe. In Vienna we have Kruder & Dorfmeister and the greatly underrated dZihan & Kamien. Head West to Munich and you will find Beanfield.Of course, we have Germany to thank for electronica in the first place, with Kraftwerk.But now these artists, and many others are continuing to push their art to new levels and in the process produce fantastic music.Latin beats and jazzy rhythms, new tech with old styles, dancey and mellow, experimental and yet very very listenable.If you like K&D, Beanfield is a safe bet. In fact, you're gonna love it."

Bring The World To ME!

punkdolphin | Punk Dolphin - NYC/Amsterdam | 02/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The infusion of afro-carribean, latin and brazillian beats into electronic music is an evolution that stirs the heart and the mind. BEANFIELD's "Human Patterns" is a perfect example of how music should be able to transcend the simple repetition of notes and chords. The ability of music to take the listener to a journey of times revisted or places yet to come. Strong rhythmic percussions are in the forefront of this very danceable album, highlighted by "The Season". A very impressive vocal track that deftly bounces on the edge of spiritual lyrics and rolling music.This is an album that deserves to be in any serious beathead collection or anyone who is into the new jazz fusion going on in electronic music. It has gotten serious airplay from me since I obtained it."