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news still hot: the rancho relaxo allstars album "the answer is always yes"



artist: rancho relaxo allstars
title: the answer is always yes
format: cd
abe duque records cat no: adr20 cd
release date: 09.04.07

Abe Duque has rounded up his gang of outlaws, Rancho Relaxo Allstars, for another rodeo adventure, releasing their third album “The Answer Is Always Yes” after a siesta of almost a decade. With two previous albums, “Volume 1 - Higiene Mental” (1996) and “Live At Luv Parade” (1998), both on Disko B, Rancho Relaxo Allstars’ new album is long awaited, and will not disappoint even the most avid of Rancho fans.

The Rancho Relaxo Allstars are a sprawling collective who come together, only when time allows between their busy individual schedules, with one purpose in mind; having fun whilst jamming together on their various electronic music instruments. (And drinking whiskey in cowboy hats) The core of talented outlaws that make up the Ranchos comprise of such renowned solo artists as Abe Duque, Susanne Brokesch, Prozac, Dietrich Schoenemann, John Selway, Jason Szostek, Jochen Reiter and whoever else responds to the Rancho call. Previous contributors have included the likes of Jimi Tenor, Mika Vainio, Liza Weinstein, Patrick Pulsinger, Cle from Märtini Brös, Andi & Hannes Teichmann, Marcin Oz, all of whom have joined them playing on stages, in back rooms of clubs or even in tents around the globe.

The Ranchos as we know them came into existence via a party series that Abe Duque instigated at the infamous Limelight club in NYC back in 1994s, propelled by the desire to create a clubbing alternative and relieve his own boredom. The improvised jam sessions that resulted from these parties have become the stuff of legend and were known to go on for days or even weeks, disappearing in a haze of cigar smoke. It is almost by the by, that the results of these sessions resulted in devastatingly good experimental electronic music. And almost a surprise when someone suggested recording it. But it is exactly this spontaneous, eclectic and pioneering improvised sound from their jams sessions that the Ranchos have previously captured and continue to capture on record with this new release. And it is exactly that, which makes them so unique.

Fun has always been the Ranchos only ever directive, so it is not surprising that humour filtrates the entire record, which is at times ironic but never cynical. It is even at times educational. “Ein Bier Eine Mark”, for example, documents the most essential of all German lessons; how to order a beer. Voices from the silver screen adorn many tracks with their witticisms. But it’s not all about having a laugh. Susanne Brokesch, who recently contributed a David Bowie cover to the hugely successful “Girl Monster” compilation on Chicks On Speed Records, performs a haunting version of Yves Montand’s melancholy chanson “Les Feuilles Mortes” and “The Dying Cowboy” is a diversion into spoken word; a lament for the lone prairie and the long gone good old days.

John Selway’s arrangement of the traditional folk song, “Home On The Range” epitomizes The Rancho Relaxo Allstars’ ability to bring genres as diverse as ambient, electronica, dub and country together on one track. Listening to this beautiful track, you know that John "lov'em and leav'em" Selway really is a heartbreaker. The sublime track “Stretch” and the closing three tunes on the album, “Cajosiza”, “Button” and “Dry Avenue”, blend seamlessly together in a blaze of ambient glory before the record disappears over the horizon and the sun sets on the ranch.

The Rancho’s third album is a vast melting pot of the many various members’ combined influences. Collaboration as it should be. It is also a nightmare for the floor worker of any record store; Dub? Electro? Minimal? Ambient? Techno? Western? Rancho Relaxo? The Answer Is Always Yes.
   
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