Djam Karet, the American instrumental rock group, announces the release of their 18th album this week, “Swamp Of Dreams”. It is a collection of older tunes that were originally only available as individual tracks on different compilation CDs and fund-raiser albums, released between 1990 and 2006. These compilations and fund-raisers include: Holland's IO Pages Magazine's "A Decade Of Prog" CD, and a Hurricane Katrina/Habitat For Humanity fund-raiser called "After The Storm", among others. And now with "Swamp of Dreams" the band is making this long-lost music available again, this time to a wider audience.
The six tracks are sequenced chronologically so that, much like a time machine, each song takes you further back in time. This unique offering is literally the psychedelic soundtrack of a voyage to places both familiar and otherworldly, a view out the window of a dream train on a cosmic journey. The atmosphere is vaguely reminiscent of Krautrock and 1970’s stoner rock, yet it has a unique and uncompromising vision that can only be Djam Karet.
At times the music is filled with wailing guitar solos and vibrant sequencer driven rhythms, while mixing in the grit of analog modular synthesizers, and classic mellotrons. Other times, visions of alien creature-filled swamps come to mind, as strange bugs fly above the florescent flora. As is common with all Djam Karet albums, “Swamp Of Dreams” reflects the artists’ deeply felt commitment and uncompromising vision; produced with no regard to potential radio play or commercial success. This “in your face” attitude, is definitely a hallmark of the band’s critical acclaim and long-time cult following.
All of the music has been re-mastered with an increased dynamic range, and greater clarity and punch, while still retaining all that is good about the music of Djam Karet. Formed in 1984, they have been making instrumental music for more then 30 years. Discover for yourself the music of Djam Karet. Please listen with headphones, you’ll be glad you did!
You can view the promo video here:
vimeo.com/142549069