Planet Odyssey 64 [CD]

Takeshi's Cashew - Planet Odyssey 64 [CD]

The Vienna-based collective Takeshi's Cashew presents its third album, Planet Odyssey 64. After touring the globe with their first two albums, the band took a creative break and has now returned with a fresh sound. They have expanded their signature analog "cosmofunk" to include electro influences. Experimenting with vintage synthesizers and drawing inspiration from retro computer games, the six musicians have crafted a novel sonic universe. Their sheer joy of playing sparked the idea for a concept album titled Planet Odyssey 64. Many bands grapple with defining their direction after their second or third album; Takeshi's Cashew, too, faced a crossroads -- or rather, sought a concept. The result is a fusion quoting the-'90s when medieval worlds collide with the aesthetics of the Game Boy and Nintendo 64. Much like the loop-based soundscapes of early consoles or the dance music of the early royal courts, Takeshi's Cashew utilize cyclical musical figures on the album. Just as 8-bit games created atmosphere through minimalism, these Viennese instrumentalists have streamlined their toolkit compared to their previous work. The recurring melodies and chiptune sounds pay homage to video game icons like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Pokemon Sapphire Edition. Meanwhile, the rhythmic blend forms a hybrid of synthetic elements and organic components. A driving Krautrock framework -- anchored by electric bass and drums -- forms the core of the soundscape, while a monophonic Roland SH-101 bass synthesizer provides a second pillar. Yet, Takeshi's Cashew haven't entirely abandoned their original approach: the jam session. At its core, this music serves as a vehicle for transcendence; listeners return to themselves from this odyssey, transformed and serene.

01. Press Play
02. Armadillo
03. Operator
04. Sessellift
05. Eispalast
06. Plantasia
07. Ms Anne
08. Jade Archipel
09. Rheingold
10. Flog201
11. Lugh
12. Credits