labrecque/barakat: terminal desert

Paul LaBrecque (Sunburned Hand Of The Man) and Ghazi Barakat (Pharoah Chromium) present two epic cosmic, dystopian tracks where guitars, synths, and traditional instruments blend into an anarchic sound system. After excessive years in rock bands like The Golden Showers or his solo project Boy From Brazil, time had come for the German-Palestinian artist Ghazi Barakat to develop a new aesthetic -- the birth of his alias Pharoah Chromium where Barakat creates "meta-music for meta-people in a meta-world", or in other words: a mutated blend of post-krautrock, psychedelicism, free jazz, ancient rituals, science fiction, and electronics. So far, the Berlin-based sonic performer released a couple of solo albums on labels like Grautag or Tapeworm and a triple LP with krautrock legend Günter Schickert. For his latest output he decided to simply use his civilian name Barakat, as does Paul Labrecque who contributes guitar and synthesizer to the two side-long tracks. "Jajouka Pipe Dream" is a clear reference to the Master Musicians Of Jajouka, with lots of flutes and percussion, a very rhythmical, ritualistic track, while "Planet R-101" turns out a space-y trip with elements of krautrock and kosmische musik/Berliner schule. What may sound contradictory on paper functions perfectly on LP: freeform/free-floating music, absorbing and integrating a wide range of influences and inspirations, sounds and styles -- and highly psychedelic! Artwork and photography by Nicolas Moulin. Mastered and cut by Rashad Becker at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin. Personnel: Ghazi Barakat - guembri, Moog synthesizer, beats, rauschpfeife; Paul LaBrecque - guitar, synthesizer. 180 gram vinyl; Includes download code.