Shank ~ Do
Shank’s press
release informs the reader: “6 piece live band from Berlin meets Nonplace
hard drives” and “Shank actually is a pure live instrumental band.”
Such declarations are initially met with scepticism. Nonplace is the label
run by German electronica artist Burnt Friedman whose previous releases include
a painstakingly assembled fascsimile of a live concert (Con Ritmo) as well
as collaborations with the likes of Atom Heart and Jaki Liebezeit. In fact
Friedman’s considerable oeuvre is marked by a playful seriousness which
frequently addresses notions of identity and authenticity as well as exploring
the interstices between programming, sampling and live playing. Shank’s
music bears a consumately professional sheen and is both rather lovely and
subtly anonymous. Vibes tiptoe about, occasionally sounding out melodies while
drummer Matthias Trippner plays delightful stutter rhythms. Dub is a perennial
fascination for Friedman and there’s a stoned, but wide-awake, outernational
feel to this music. Bass and drums are to the fore throughout: Friedman is
a former drummer whose earlier work was marked by a particular emphasis on
rhythm though in recent years an increasing balance has revealed greater attention
to melody as well. Shank’s Do is sunny, strange and resolutely un-teutonic:
it’s an intriguing, new instalment in Friedman’s always interesting
career.
Colin Buttimer
October 2005