Munju
Le Perfectionniste
Album Overview
Munju's "Le Perfectionniste," released in 1984, represents the final studio effort from this German ensemble known for its avant-garde jazz-rock and experimental New Wave sound. The album was recorded at HGM Studios in Königshof during February 1984 and underwent remixing at Studio Nord-Bremen the following month. Released on the private label Ixthuluh (catalog number IX 001), it was distributed by Exil Musik.
Musical Composition
This album features core members Dieter Kaudel, Wolfgang Salomon, Thomas Römer, and Eduard Rüdel. Kaudel plays electric and acoustic guitars, vibraphone, marimba, and synthesizers. Salomon contributes electric bass, keyboards, and melodica, while Römer handles drums, percussion, and human beatbox, along with trumpet. Rüdel provides vocals and guitar. The ensemble is joined by Belgian multi-instrumentalist Michel Berckmans, known for his work with Univers Zero and Aksak Maboul, who adds bassoon and oboe to the mix.
"Le Perfectionniste" marks a departure from traditional 70s jazz-rock. The album presents an eclectic blend of art rock, No Wave's angularity, and avant-garde chamber-prog influences. It also incorporates quirky synth-pop elements and innovative tape manipulations. This stylistic evolution reflects the band's willingness to experiment and push boundaries within their genre.
Track Highlights
The album consists of eleven tracks, each contributing to its diverse sound. Noteworthy pieces include the title track "Qui Est Le Perfectionniste?" and "Metropolitan Noise." The latter exemplifies the band's intricate rhythms and experimental approach. There is also a live snippet titled "Se - Live In Dortmund," providing a glimpse into the band's performance dynamics.
Production Details
Andreas Torkler and Dieter Kaudel handled the engineering and remixing of the album. Their contributions helped shape the unique sound that characterizes "Le Perfectionniste." This attention to detail in production complements the ensemble's complex musical arrangements.
Munju's "Le Perfectionniste" was released in 1984 on the Ixthuluh label, catalog number IX 001.
Tracklist
| A1 | Hollywood Bassoon, Oboe – Michel BerckmansDrums, Body Percussion [Mouth Percussion] – Thomas RömerGuitar [Paper Guitar] – Eduard Rüdel*Synthesizer [Moog Bass], Keyboards – Wolfgang SalomonVibraphone [Vibraphon], Synth, Guitar – Dieter KaudelWritten-By – Kaudel*Written-By – Salomon* | 3:04 |
| A2 | Long And Long Drums – Thomas RömerMelodica – Wolfgang SalomonVibraphone [Vibraphon] – Dieter KaudelVocals [Voc.], Guitar [Guit.], Bass, Whistle [Carlon-ringmodulated Whistle] – Eduard Rüdel*Written-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Salomon* | 2:58 |
| A3 | Intetango Bassoon – Michel BerckmansGuitar – Dieter KaudelPiano, Guitar – Eduard Rüdel*Piano, Synth, Bass – Wolfgang SalomonTrumpet – Thomas RömerWritten-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Salomon* | 3:22 |
| A4 | Metropolitan Noise Melodica [Bass], Keyboards [Keyb.Bass] – Wolfgang SalomonWhistle – Thomas RömerWhistle, Guitar, Melodica – Eduard Rüdel*Written-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Salomon* | 2:35 |
| A5 | Beat On The Wet Sock Effects [Special Effects], Performer [Steamhammer, Snaissur] – Andreas TorklerElectronics [Filters], Bass [Sub-Bass], Keyboards [Keyb.Guitar] – Wolfgang SalomonGuitar, Marimba – Dieter KaudelPercussion – Thomas RömerVoice – Eduard Rüdel*Written-By – Kaudel*Written-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Römer*Written-By – Salomon* | 5:36 |
| B1 | Qui Est Le Perfectionniste? Drums – Thomas RömerGuitar, Vocals – Eduard Rüdel*Synth [Bass-Synth.], Guitar, Vibraphone [Vibraphon] – Dieter KaudelVocals – Michel BerckmansWritten-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Berkmans* | 3:59 |
| B2 | Martha Ulrich Nordpol Jaguar U-Boot Bass, Guitar, Vibraphone [Carlin-ringmodulated Vibraphon], Keyboards, Vocals – Wolfgang SalomonGuitar [T-driven], Guitar, Effects [Razor], Keyboards [Keyb. Vocals] – Eduard Rüdel*Guitar, Vibraphone [Carlin-ringmodulated Vibraphon], Marimba, Keyboards – Dieter KaudelTom Tom [Toms], Drums – Thomas RömerWritten-By – Kaudel*Written-By – Römer*Written-By – Salomon* | 4:26 |
| B3 | Stella Gong [Big Gong, Lavamat-Gongs], Voice, Percussion [Metal Barrel] – Eduard Rüdel*Gong [Small Gongs] – Wolfgang SalomonVibraphone [Vibraphon], Guitar Synthesizer [Random-Synth. Guitar], Marimba, Effects [Burzlaff] – Dieter KaudelWood Block [Woodblock], Drums, Trumpet, Timpani – Thomas RömerWritten-By – Kaudel*Written-By – Ruedel*Written-By – Römer* | 3:17 |
| B4 | Spion Bass, Keyboards – Wolfgang SalomonBassoon – Michel Berkmans*Drums, Tom Tom [Modulated Toms], Electronics [Radio] – Thomas RömerGuitar – Dieter KaudelGuitar [T-driven], Guitar – Eduard Rüdel*Written-By – Kaudel* | 3:52 |
| B5 | Se - Live In Dortmund Voice [All Voices By] – MunjuWritten-By – Kaudel* | 0:27 |
| B6 | Automatic Choral Top Drums, Tom Tom [Toms], Effects [Automatic Choral Top] – Thomas RömerGuitar [Pavesi Git. 2000] – Wolfgang SalomonWritten-By – Römer* | 1:30 |
Credits
- Engineer, Mixed By [Remixed] – Andreas Torkler
- Engineer, Mixed By [Remixed] – Dieter Kaudel
- Guest [Guest-Musician], Vocals [Voc.], Bassoon, Oboe – Michel Berkmans*
- Photography By, Design [Cover] – Ulrich Velte
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