Artist AKA AKA & Thalstroem
Title Connected
Label Burlesque Musique / BURCD004
Release Date 30-10-2015

Tracklist

1. First Contact // Original Mix
2. 237 // Original Mix
3. Wobbelbass // Original Mix
4. Your Decision // Original Mix
5. Connection with umami // Original Mix
6. Your Body // Original Mix
7. True with Chasing Kurt // Original Mix
8. Warten auf Korg // Original Mix
9. Stars Aligned with Northern Lite // Original Mix
10. Faces with Jim Hickey // Original Mix
11. Jenny with Northern Lite // Original Mix
12. Take my Time with Northern Lite // Original Mix
13. Never Alone with Sola Plexus // Original Mix
14. Intro // Original Mix

 

AKA AKA & Thalstroem is the perfect example that each team is more than just the sum of its members. As the Berlin-based trio released their debut album „Varieté“ in 2011, they not only opened the door of their own label Burlesque Musique, the LP was also voted as one of the top records by the readers of the prestigious Groove Magazine. For a reason, AKA AKA & Thalstroem as one of the most popular live acts, named their second album „Connected“ as they’re maintaining a very close connection to their fans.

But the title also refers to the specific synergies within the trio – once again AKA AKA as well as Thalstroem are combining their different interests on „Connected“. Moreover, even if the groove always stands in the foreground, their new tracks are not only clear and straight-forward, but also far more playful and complex in structure. While „First Contact“ marks the album’s entry including strings and Thalstroem’s trumpet solo, it’s not only their first single „Never Alone“ that proves AKA AKA & Thalstroem are not just twisting some buttons in the studio. They’re dedicated musicians at heart, interested in self-development and equipped with an impressive grasp of varied arrangements and musical spectrum that ranges from the deep, trance-like trip „237“ to the Soul-infected downtempo song „Faces“, where the emotional voice of Berlin-based artist Jim Hickey as well as the riffs by guitarist Tomer causing goose bumps.

„Warten Auf Korg“ is not only a reference to their newly integrated means of production, with a swinging melody and a lighthearted mood it also unfolds their hedonistic side. But AKA AKA & Thalstroem don’t stop here: Whether the energetic “Connection” with their long-time friends of umami, the collaboration with Chasing Kurt or those three pieces originated with Erfurt-based bad Northern Lite where the trio is even experimenting with space funk, rock guitars and some arpeggiator synth melodies – more than ever, for AKA AKA & Thalstroem everything is interconnected, every detail has a meaning and causes a change to their new, more mature and complex sound.

„Connected“ is in many ways drawing on their successful debut „Varieté“, but AKA AKA & Thalstroem is continuing to extend their artistic identity with several nuances. Thalstroem’s jazzy and classical roots merging with AKA AKA’s influences, which range from techno and house to electronica to trip-hop, in such a mutually inspiring and always free-spirited form. Of course, the trio has its musical differences, but in the studio – especially with all their collaborations – they present themselves as a unit, because AKA AKA & Thalstroem focusses on what binds them together. That’s why „Connected“ is a teamwork effort and invites the listeners to a varied, playful and always entertaining journey.