German review site Babyblaue Seiten liked our CD so much they gave it a second good review – this one from Jochen Rindfrey!
Das Rad? How does a British band get such a name? Including partially German titles? Anyway, such a British trio is called around the busy Martin Archer, who already excited my ears with Combat Astronomy and Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere, and is active in several other projects. Das Rad is another that has been active since 2016 and released its first album in the fall of 2018. In addition to Martin Archer, who mainly contributes various woodwind instruments, include drummer Steve Dinsdale (also a member of the aforementioned Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere and the electronics group Radio Massacre International) and guitarist Nick Robinson.
The musical goal of the trio is described on its homepage as “exploring a motoric vein” , and that suits it pretty well. The rhythm is in fact rather straightforward which drives the music stoically. There are all sorts of escapades of brass and guitar, supplemented by some electronic sounds. Often they go into jazz-rocky areas, occasionally with slight Canterbury influence, also influences of the newer King Crimson (especially in Tenser ) and every now and then some electronic Krautrock. The latter can dominate in stages and dissolve the music into largely free, cosmic, wafting sounds; not cozy drifting as so often with the old Krautrockers, but here with corners and edges.
Nevertheless, the music never seems too abstrract, and despite some excursions in avant-garde sound worlds remains predominantly relatively “accessible” (which melodic freaks might judge differently). For jazz and brass aligned listeners, the equally original and virtuosic instrumental program of Das Rad is strongly recommended. Incidentally, the logo on the CD, which is inspired by that of the legendary Harvest label, is also original.