Ancient Astronauts - Into Bass And Time Review

Whenever we think of Germans and dance music the image of a guy called Rolf covered in day-glo paint and blowing a whistle springs to mind, however unfairly. Ancient Astronauts - duo Tom Strauch and Ingo Möell - are from that neck of the woods, but one listen to Into Bass and Time reveals their influences to be much more via the likes of J Dilla and Gang Starr than the throbbing techno mayhem of the Kompakt label.

Named after a concept originally suggested by bonkers Swiss writer Erick Von Daniken in his book Chariots of The Gods (Which states that we're all basically descended from a race of benevolent aliens who hung out here millions of years ago) we can exclusively reveal however that the only artefacts here belong strictly to the old-skool hip hop vibes of the twentieth century.

Strauch and Möell's gameplan may not have much appeal in terms of originality or true cutting edge, but it certainly doesn't lack any other type of ambition. Across Bass And Time's sprawling fifteen tracks they plunder soul, funk, rap, jazz and everything in between, constantly shifting the musical point of emphasis to avoid the listener getting too comfortable. Along the way a plethora of helpers rapping, scratching and laying down breaks join them - although big names are at a premium - to ensure that ideas and delivery remain suitably fresh....full text "Men came from the stars, knowing everything, and they examined the four corners of the sky and the Earth's round surface” — The Mayan Popol Vuh

Bringing a deeper, sonic significance to the music we listen to, Ancient Astronauts released their second album, Into Bass and Time, a collection of 15 grooves ranging from conscious Hip Hop to dub reggae to dopebeats to funk, all of it driven by block party beats. It’s a mash-up of the future and the past all in the present.

Enlisting the talents of a variety of heavy hitting turntablists and vocalists, the German born and based Kabanjak and Dogu, a production and DJ duo, teamed up with ESL Music, the production company of Thievery Corporation, Antibalas, and Ocote Soul Sounds and many other creators of the best in contemporary music.

Just as the foundation of the Copernican Revolution was the realization that the Earth did not stand still, and by extension, the reality of our mind is a perception, the music of Ancient Astronauts and the rest of the ESL crew are turning out music that changes the way we hear things with a cross-pollination and mash-up of ideas, sounds, styles, and spirit.

Taking their name from a belief dating back to Vedic culture and the myths of the Dogon tribesmen of Mall, West Africa about extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth, mingling, giving us technologies and building cultures, the German band is on the road, changing the way we experience the music metaparadigm. ...full text The German duo, known as Ancient Astronauts, are set to release their latest album entitled Into Bass and Time. This will be their second album and a follow up to their 2009 album entitled We Are To Answer. Now, I don’t say this often but this is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a while and I dare to say this may be one of the best albums of the year; especially for re-playability. The album mixes hip-hop/turntablism/d&b/rock and most genres in this vein but they do it so effortlessly. It’s almost like a throwback to early DJ Shadow or even some Kid Kola but, at the same time, its not like an homage album or anything. They definitely take the style into their own hands and show a type of progression that is sometimes lost on newer artist. You will even find some reggae mixed in with this album which shows how eclectic it is. This is probably why the album grows on you so quick because most people nowadays are into way more than one or two genres. These guys just make good music. Check out the album at ALL costs. I’m not a great writer but let me reiterate what I was saying: Album good. You listen. Yes. The album drops on March 8th so find it and pre-order it. PAY for it. I’ve included a video of the duo talking about the upcoming album....full text