Review: Jumpel – Deuxième Bureau

Everyone has to start somewhere with music and Germany’s Jo Dürbeck had to make do with the tools he had at his disposal in the mid-80s. A Commodore 64 may have been state of the art back then but using empty detergent cans and boxes takes primitive recording techniques to a whole new level. Thankfully, Dürbeck’s equipment has moved on a bit since then and he now embraces electronic and organic music together, melding them into a form which is melodic, emotional and deeply satisfying.

The key to so many records is how they begin. ‘Leaves’ opens with some lovely jazz textures and continues on a journey of warm electronics with the minimum of fuss. ‘Considering The Kicker Knows It’ combines Bark Psychosis’ immaculate sense of space with the nostalgically-inclined arrangements of Gnac. ‘Things Are Different’ conveys an acute sense of loss as if the artist is saying to us “Things are different. I’ve moved on, I don’t need you anymore”. Likewise ‘Joe Couldn’t Make It Tonight’ is imbued with sadness and regret.

If ‘Clay Slate’ bores a little as its easy listening feel recalls too much the early work of Air, Dürbeck makes up for it by delivering a very intimate sense of melancholia for ‘Matter Of Time’. There’s even a couple of nods to the oft-imitated Boards Of Canada on the final two tracks but Dürbeck is such a classy performer, even this supposed homage is carried out in his own, quietly seductive style.

Jumpel is like the electronic equivalent of Talk Talk; adhering to the Mark Hollis theory of “Before you play two notes learn how to play one note and don’t play one note unless you’ve got a reason to play it”. ‘Deuxième Bureau’ isn’t initially attention grabbing but like a lot of great albums it gradually takes hold of your ears and refuses to relinquish its grip.

Web Sites:
Jumpel Official Site
Jumpel MySpace
Hidden Shoal Recordings Label and Shop Site

Further Listening:
Gnac, To Rococo Rot