Dzyan - Electric Silence

Formed in 1972, this ethnic/kraut jazz quintet (Jochen Leuschner, Reinhard Karwatky, Gerd Bock-Ehrmann, Deiter Kramer, and Ludwig Braun) released their self titled album the same year in a relative discretion. This album made an exploration in long / space rock improvisations relied on jazz grooves and weird electro -acoustic sounds. The "ethnic", mystical elements are obvious notably due to the acoustic percussions rhythm sections. Compositions are mainly instrumental and improvised, brightly showing the technical capacities of the musicians. After several departures the band will be organised under a trio form, recording in 1973 the seminal "Time Machine". This album features astonishing manifestations of freaky fusion jazz exercises mixed with weird experimentations and mysticism. This album was recorded at Dieter Dierk's mythical studio. After this very convincing effort, the band recorded what we can consider to be his masterwork "Electric Silence". It combines with passion a stylistic jazz rock to nice Eastern elements. A very pleasant journey in "kraut", "kosmische" eccentricities.

1. Back To Where We Come (8:57)
2. A Day In My Life (4:03)
3. The Road Not Taken (4:54)
4. Khali (4:55)
5. For Earthly Thinking (9:38)
6. Electric Silence (4:30)

Electric silence is a spiritual journey through eastern meditative gardens to Indian guru temples, to panicked lysergic states, to quiet contemplation in space, truly an uncompromising work of ambient, atmospheric, psychedelic and spiritual goodness.
Full credit must be given to the musicians who play on this album as the musical technicality is absolutely superb. My particular favourite part of this album is the percussion, from the Balinese xylophone stylings of 'Back to where we come from' to the Djembe freak outs of 'A day in my life' to the atonal steel drums and world percussion wailing of 'For Earthly thinking' to the general conventional drum kit jazz fusion grooves the percussion on this album is some of the best I have come across in variety, competency, musical contribution and relevance. That isn't to detract from the contribution made by the other 2 members of the band, there are some awesome bass grooves and the sitar on this album is particularly amazing.