Buddy Language – the new diction of the Phoneheads
"New beats, new vibes and a different type of flavour ..."
These are the words of MC Glacius, a very old Phoneheads-buddy, introducing their new album "Buddy Language". A promise coming true very soon: Glassy echoes are reverberating through filigree electro-chords, a relaxed type of hip-hop-groove frames the deep rhodes-chords. Breathe deeply, the party will start immediately and some more Phoneheads-guests are introducing theirselves. The next chapter of the successful Phoneheads-story is being opened.
The Phoneheads consist of Michael Scheibenreiter and Philipp Maiburg and since their start-up eight years ago they have become protagonists of the European music scene. Cooperations with great figures of the genre such as London Elecktricity or E-Z Rollers have increased their self-confidence more and more. Their "Phoneheads-sound" and an uncountable number of explosive dj-gigs have accomplished drumßbass pioneer work in Germany and have done – as far as to Siberia – all kinds of miracles on the dancefloor. That is no reason to have a rest:
"During our extensive tours, remix-jobs, festivals and by the set-up of Philipp`s label Combination Records we got to know many musicians, producers and vocalists – a fact that we appreciate very much. After the recording of two instrumental and one remix-album, we wanted to take a new step."
A step towards the others and a step towards diversity, pointing at the broadening of the horizon.
Anyway, they never fixed the rules strictly and they never wanted to become typecasted. For now they wanted more vocals, more live instruments, more impulses from other genres:
"For us, drumßbass stands for the freedom to be allowed to permit every influence. It doesn`t matter if it is hip-hop, soul, brazil, jazz or techno. And that`s the way Buddy Language is supposed to make its point."
Therefore they created, together with the invited friends ( singers, djs, instrumentalists), a musical language that should provide a free display-surface to all all the artists. With great success: "Buddy Language" is produced in an impressive way. The album is full of complex fusions but, besides all the stylistic excursions, keeps up the unmistakeable "Phoneheads-sound" which speaks a clear and uncompromising language:
"We never constructed our tracks the way the market dictated it – the one who is afraid of changes is sentenced to stagnation!"
This maxim can be sounded out between the musical lines of the new album. All influences are interlaced into the nested syntax of the “Buddy Language" with high-contrast and elegancy and therefore one surprise follows the other. The listener`s attention is guaranteed: themes and tempo are changing, the digital is sounding organic, the organic is being chopped up digitally. The Phoneheads skillfully connect a multitude of elements while keeping the overview all the time and they come to a fascinating result: the album is a completely rounded piece of work. Rolling, relaxed and driving, occupying a lot of space in all directions but still determined and purposeful. The harmonic sketches of "Buddy Language" were worked out by Michael Scheibenreiter and keyboarder Mark Klemens. Much of the material was created on the Fender Rhodes Piano and the Phoneheads began "dropping down the already recorded chord-structures and distilling the essence. Doing that, we were able to reach a specific depth even in the very first layouts". And a perfect platform for guest-vocalists like Cleveland Watkiss who, right away in the second track, clearly articulates the "Buddy Language": "Roll that stone" is a dynamic up-tempo-song in which the legendary Metalheadz-MC and Stevie-Wonder-background-singer challenges the problems of everyday life with a lot of soul in his voice. The Phoneheads create a suitable musical background with funky guitar riffs, a rolling bass line and harmonic keyboard carpets.
A Phoneheads-remix recorded for a DJ Fitchie ß Joe Dukie 12" succeeds, keeping up the same tempo but with the said "different kind of flavour". The reggae-song "Midnight Marauders" is being formed into a veritable hit with the help of driving percussions. The "Buddy Language" now nonchalantly changes its slang and dot and comma are substituted by breezy blowers – why should that terrific progress be stopped? The almost devout affection of the original song is maintained and a significant amount of thrust is added – reggea and drumßbass rarely before experienced such a successful unification on the dancefloor.
Singer Nina, the first lady of this project, offers a captivating interpretation of the title "Far out". Yet the legendary Rockers Hi-Fi used to turn her vocal energy int their account – who ever listens to her mystical appearing vocals in this balancing act between dramatic spheres and and earthy rhythm knows why. She sings about her inner voice that never remains silent and for that purpose she draws hundreds of disembodied voice-lines - coming from all directions – around the refrain. And here the rhythm stops and the Phoneheads intersperse reconciling acoustic-guitars and fine echo-streaks of her touching voice.
And there`s more to it than that: besides the vocal-songs there are instrumentals during which the Phoneheads are adding musical commentaries by guitarist Franky or ITF- ß DMC-World-Champion DJ Rafik (Lords Of Fitness) to the "Buddy Language". "Buscapé" could be the soundtrack for a futuristic day on the beach, DJ Rafik`s scratches on "Slower" could keep the sun a few hours longer in the sky, if only all the buddies keep their faith strong ...
And that`s the strong point of the Phoneheads and of their characteristic and unique sound: they are fancy and convincing without being overcharged. They are moving with certainty between 100 and 170 BPM without allowing any exaggerated excitement or any doziness to emerge. They are full of feeling and playful without ever losing their awareness of the world beyond music. Roll that stone ...
In such a manner multifaceted - often within one track, one song. The new "song-album" is called "Buddy Language". "Buddy Language" is the language they speak. Very soon they will prove live on stage how rich and powerful this language is:
"... cause we’ll be coming to your city soon! Glacius MC, Peace."
On vinyl "BUDDY LANGUAGE" will be released on two seperate 12" EPs each with three Tracks (Clubversions – check Tracklisting bleow) on BUDDY RECORDS
(Distribution Export: MDM / Germany: Groove Attack).
Buddy Records 001 12" "Buddy Language #1"
A: Roll that Stone (feat Cleveland Watkiss) Maxi Version
B1: Far Out (feat Nina) Maxi Version
B2: Buddy Language Intro
Buddy Records 002 12" "Buddy Language #2" :
A: Subject Beautifull (feat Cleveland Watkiss) Maxi Version
B1: Joe Dukie ß DJ Fichie - Midnight Marauders (Phoneheads RMX) Maxi Version
B2: Slower (feat DJ Rafik)
Phoneheads "Buddy Language" CD (EDEL) (28.02.2005)
Phoneheads "Buddy Language #1" - 12" Maxi (cat BUD 001) (Release: Mid Feb)
Phoneheads "Buddy Language #2" - 12" Maxi (cat BUD 002) (Release: Mid March)
1: Buddy Language (intro)
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ß Philipp Maiburg
buddy big ups (Cleveland Watkiss, Dallas Tamaira, MC Glacius, Nina)
scratched by DJ Rafik; rhodes: Mark Klemens
2: Roll that Stone
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ß Philipp Maiburg
vocals: Cleveland Watkiss
3: Midnight Marauders - Phoneheads Remix
written and produced by Tamaira ß C. Faiumu, remixed by Phoneheads
4: Far Out
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter, Philipp Maiburg,
Nina Bewig, Christoph Groneberg ß Andrej Ristic
vocals: Nina Bewig; additional beat ß bassline treatment: Miguel Ayala
5: Glam
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ß Philipp Maiburg
6: Phantoms
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ß Philipp Maiburg
7: Subject Beautiful
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter, Philipp Maiburg ß Mark Klemens;
vocals: Cleveland Watkiss; rhodes: Mark Klemens
8: Bliss
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ßszlig; Philipp Maiburg
vocals: Nina Bewig
9: Buscapé
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ßszlig; Philipp Maiburg
guitar: Frank Schwiklewski
10: Slower
written and produced by Michael Scheibenreiter ßszlig; Philipp Maiburg
scratches: DJ Rafik