Banzo by Kalif

BANZO

Better known for his pumping techno sets, Brazilian DJ and producer Kalif releases his first album “Banzo”, an intimate work that translates the diverse musical universe of its author. Not intended for the dance floor, the album demonstrates Kalif’s constant search for the expression of most various feelings and emotions, such as tranquility, abstractness, melancholy to darkness and frenzy, throughout 14 tracks that go from chilled down tempo sounds to banging techno. Electronic music made out of human and insightful textures, for all moments and states of mind, often difficult to label as a genre.

The album kicks off with “Bleu”, a complex and involving down tempo track that slowly grows with delicate intensity, amid seashore like sounds that keep coming back throughout the tune. Classical strings and tango like samples can also be heard briefly and discreetly at certain moments, giving a dreamlike feel to the track that lasts over 10 minutes.
A bit darker and intense, “What do ya feel” (third track) takes a more sinuous path, with slightly distorted synths and pads, progressing to a subtle climax.

Another track that stands out is “Angels on E” (track 7), in which the listener projects his imagination into a story told through sound, with three very singular parts – arrival, darkness and light; starting off with angelical voices that slowly give way to an intense synth before distorted mayhem takes place at the break. An IDM like pad then makes the transition to pure melodic calmness…