Search - Digital Jockey :: Paradise & Fragment

Well Done to Say the Least...

Princess of Borneo | KK, KL, London & NYC | 10/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With such a generic handle as "Digital Jockey," one would think that this guy is just another wannabe and quasi-digital noisemaker. This German talent proves that mystical tones, club-inspired house beats at a lowered BPM, and non-lyrical hums can come together in a beautiful marriage that no acoustical instruments can rival in tempo consistency, stability, and the expression of the in-between; suspended mood.More often than not, Digital Jockey would be labeled under IDM (Intelligent Digital Music), which I think is rightly assigned, although it can be lumped into "downtempo" all the same. He stands tall as one who defines a hopeful path for the IDM genre. I honestly find most IDM artists drab, dry and a little too whiny for my tastes (imagine UFO sirens ringing in your ear a hundred times trying to coax you into joining an X-files cult, but falls short of convincing you that UFOs exist). Which Paradise and Fragments is not.Digital Jockey has an underrated class about his music that is sophisticated and digitally fresh, yet acceptably human. Using melodies that appeal to the nostalgic nature of his listeners, classical instruments such as the viola can be heard in the (subtle) statements that make this album so unique. Listening to "Liebe, Ungewiss" is like traveling down a difficult path of regret... the suspended mood that one would be shown in slow-mo style in a movie (like in a Euro-John Woo style), with silent screaming and weeping, while cold reality is being drummed in by the unfaltering beats of a message stronger than "sh*t happens." There is a sense of emotional complexity in Digital Jockey's work, as is audible in "Liebe, Ungewiss" and "Fluss." One can hardly make out the exact emotion, although there is ascertain heaviness even in the demureness of his musical expression.Eastern mysticism is introduced in "Ach, Ware Ich En Zug, So Fuhre Ich in Dein Herz," with fragments of naivety that is recognizable in productions like "The Sound of Music," suggesting a kind of socio-political attitude about Austrian/German "sticks" (the rural) that is now gone, but appears only in classic old films and perhaps, in fragments where nouveau musicians such as Digital Jockey dare suggest. The same sort of "mountain song" splendor played in the classical style can be heard in "Wiese." Some fragments from other tracks were borrowed and incorporated into "Wiese," and instead of sounding like a track lacking creativity, "Wiese" is exactly the type of thing that shows the sort of "suspended mood" I was talking about. The tracks flow fluidly from one track to the other, which shows Digital Jockey's talent as a DJ. Imagine Strauss, Satie, Kraftwerk, Morcheeba, and slow-mo Mark Farina... and if you can appreciate that, you'll love Digital Jockey. Music was never done quite this way before Digital Jockey; it's as if he wrote the tracks in this album with certainty as he composed them. Of course, that is never really the case with music that involves the computer, and has many layers, which is why Paradise and Fragment is an album that is very well done to say the least. Perhaps much of my rave comes from the fact that the musician from Dortmund has some traditional musical roots stemming from jazz-styles, studied philosophy and plays four musical instruments. The vocals come from Stina. K, "who plays and teaches piano and sings in concerts with jazz groups." This is a must-buy!"

DON'T LET THE GENERIC NAME FOOL YOU!!!

Darrell L. Lee | Jackson, MS | 02/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Digital Jockey's "Paradise and Fragments" is a true testament that there's more that can be done to dance music than sampling it with stuff you've heard a million times already and senseless hooks from "church-divas". This artist is truly underrated, and a breath of fresh air to the world of "electronica". Using classical orchestration, low BPMs and some sexy siren singing here and there, Digital Jockey has created a landscape of beautiful, melancholic music that you can dance and chill to. By all means, get this one!"

Yeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss!

L. Jackson | ellenwood, georgia United States | 04/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd reminds me of my younger days of dancing to the latest euro house tracks at new yorks underground clubs.I really love the blend of classical instrumentation and smooth vocals over a steady deep house sound.In my opinion it's like krafwerk and mathew herbert in studio together.I recomend this cd for those who love good deep house music."