Search - Muslimgauze :: Hussein Mahmood Jeeb Tehar Gass

Disappointing at best

MTJones | San Jose, CA United States | 08/09/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this album at the strong recommendation of an online peer that I try some Muslimgauze. Not knowing where to start (he HAS released over 100 albums, after all), I chose this as one of my three initial purchases due to All Music Guide ranking it as a 'best of artist' release. I was counting on this album to show me exactly why people rave about Muslimgauze. Bryn Jones seems way too prolific to be putting out quality releases every time - at least to this skeptic - so I wanted to hear what the fuss was about. I thought I'd chosen a top release. Instead, I found ennui. Massive boredom. The editorial comment above mentions that the release IS repetitive at first listen. But this is more than repetitive: it's monotonous and formulaic. Someone described it as a case of "the emperor's clothes," and I find that description especially apt. The first track, "Bilechik Mule," sounds great at first. It's an accessible combination of friendly hip-hop beats with slightly distorted electronica-style drumming, tied together with sub-bass rumbling and spiralling ambience. The interplay between the elements is fantastic, as everything surges and meshes impeccably. But the album goes downhill from there. Each successive track sounds like Jones is stretching the first track to its limits, by simply remixing it ad nauseum and [unsuccessfully] trying to find another original combination of sounds. Basically, Muslimgauze is riding the first track to death; he just flogs that horse into eight more tracks, none of which have the same appeal. It's recycling at its worst, repetition at its most embarrassing. The only thing Jones does to break up the loops is a small break here and there; it honestly sounds as if he left his sequencer on 'repeat,' then randomly came in and inserted breaks at odd intervals. What's most annoying is that during those breaks, only the low-end synths remain exposed; and for someone who really enjoys and pays attention to bass, they are frightfully unimaginative and far too derivative of the first track. Don't get me wrong. I like repetition; I'm a fan of bands, such as Esplendor Geometrico and Sonar, that people would typify as monotonous. But I doubt many people would call either one formulaic, which Jones definitely proves himself to be with this release. What I'm trying to say is, simple music doesn't have to be simplistic - this album, unfortunately, is both. If all it takes to be Muslimgauze is a penchant for Middle Eastern influences over a looped rhythm and fairly standard drumming, then it's a sad state of affairs. And for a 'best of artist' release, it's quite a pitiful attempt. Skip it. There's no magic here, only a naked emperor."

Strange music, but not for strange people

ashas | velika gorica, zg Croatia | 12/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know Bryn's music as Muslimgauze may be too much for some people. He uses arabic and similar native music and chantes and puts 'em in some kind of modern electronic music. The closest would be dub, trip-hop, and similar "darker" electronic stuff. Althought I find the man a genious, I know some will find him way too much - almost no melodies or choruses, he's way down into underground and experimentalism. It's obvious the man was disturbed, but he successfully egsorcised his demons thru the media of music. He is so brutal and repetitive almost always. That's why I find his music rock-like, in the same vein as Neurosis, Kyuss, Electric Wizard... You know - having heavy sound mixed with droning bass and melodies, repetetive. He is way heavy on the bass. Only without the big riffs, of course. No guitars what so ever. His music is very ambiental. I can't believe his massive output, must be more than 130 albums. He is dead for almost 4 years now, and the albums are still coming, crazy. "Hussein..." is one of the best albums I have heard ever. I'm a big fan of that darker music, and I recomend him to every one into Neurosis, Tribes Of Neurot, Vladislav Delay, Dälek, Techno Animal, Bongzilla, Today Is The Day... basically to every fan of experiment between genres of music - you will dig Muslimgauze, for sure. If you find him unbearable, try Boards Of Canada or Vladislav Delay first. You can always go back to Muslimgauze and think "Whoa! How come I didnt' like that from the first". Believe me."

Muslimgauze - 'Hussein Mahmood Jeeb Tehar Gass' (Soleilmoon)

Mike Reed | USA | 12/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Good, late '90's release from Muslimgauze (who, in fact was one player - Bryn Jones, 1967-1999 who died from a rare blood disease). I remember getting this CD when it first came out, as I recently came across it and decided to seek out info about this 'experimental' artist. Had NO idea Bryn Jones had put out close to a 100 releases of CD's, limited cassettes and singles (did I hear right?). Maybe too experimental for some, but Jones did WHAT he did good. Tunes here I liked the most were the title track, the somewhat mind-bending "Nazareth Arab", "Turkish Purdah", "Istanbul" and the semi-incredible "Uzi Mahmood 12". Might possibly do something for fans of Merzbow, Lustmord, Controlled Bleeding and maybe Robert Rich {second guessing}. Check it out."