>> Beanfield
bio: With "Seek" Beanfield return with a great, new album. An album that puts its view less on the dancefloor but explores the facets of musical deepness and soul. "Seek" is not limited to one genre, but refers to various musical sources. Whether it?s jazz or soul, futurist electronica or West London breakbeats, on "Seek" Beanfield combine the ultratraditional with the sound of tomorrow. The music sounds eclectic, but vibrates as one. Live instruments melt into digital sounds, soulful vocals meet computerized grooves. In short: This is an album where the digital kisses the analogue. Call it future soul or electric jazz - with "Seek" Beanfield set a new benchmark.
The album?s title was chosen very consciously. "Seek" illustrates in various forms the road, which the band has travelled since the release of their last album "Human Patterns". It?s three years since their last release, in between, Beanfield has changed musically, and its personell was reformed. Tobi Meggle left Beanfield as he felt like pursuing his own projects. Left behind was Jan Krause who first considered to continue solo but soon felt that making music is something that should be shared with another person. And this is how the cooperation with Michael Mettke developed. Mettke played keyboards on the last albums of Tr?by Trio and Fauna Flash. When Krause invited Mettke for some of his trademark chords, he felt that Mettke?s keyboard skills, his musical experience and his musical preferences would heavily enrich the Beanfield vibe. They produced a few tracks together and at a certain point it became clear: Mettke is the new, second half of Beanfield. Today, after the recordings for "Seek", the two have become closer, musically as well as on an emotional level. "When you spend so much time together in a studio, it?s quiet natural that things get more private at a certain point. Today, we?ve really become friends. There are also tensions, but in the end the album was not only a quest for a common musical vision but also a quest for us to find out how we could work together". The quest of Krause and Mettke provided some great results. You?ll hear it: This is an album for which a lot of effort and work was put together. Yes, the Beanfield sound was put on another level. The eleven tracks on "Seek" are full of details, refined arrangements meet on complex beats, there?s songs full of depth, and instrumental tracks that breat soul without a word appearing in it. Also in its actual production, Beanfield has stepped ahead. Contrary to its predecessor "Human Patterns", "Seek" is sample free and was entirely played live. To record an album free of samples, naturally requires more time, as well as a much bigger artistic challenge. This challenge though was splendidly mastered. "Seek" sounds fresh, new and innovative. Odd, chlich?ed tags such as "Nu Jazz" are easily left behind, thus establishing a link to former Beanfield tracks.
Very well chosen were the vocal-parts on "Seek". Undoubtedly outstanding is the voice of Ernesto from G?teburg in Sweden. His voice appeared already on the project Season, that was initiated by Dirk Rumpff. On "Seek", Ernesto?s voice now unfolds a sould grandezza that is one of a kind. Wether it?s "Chosen", "Someone Like You", "Kiss" or "Close To You", his voice shines with versatility and emotionality, corresponding perfectly with the music of Beanfield. Something one could also say of Bajka, the female voice on "Seek". Bajka?s voice is known from Beanfields club hit "Season", and only recently her talent was heard on Ben Mono?s album "Dual". On "Seek" one can hear now, which other vocal qualities the lady holds in her chest. Last but not least Marzenke, that was also featured on the last Fauna Flash album. She charms with soulful licks on the album?s dancefloor burner "Welcome". To put long things short: These are three voices that put the candy on the new Beanfield sound.
"Seek" will be put on stage live soon. With "Human Patterns" Beanfield already toured Europe, with their new album, the band plans to go on the road in spring 2004. Ernesto on vocals, backed by drums, keyboards, guitar, bass and percussions. Already now, we are proud to ask: Ladies and gentlemen, standing ovations for .... Beanfield.
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