The Landau Orchestra resonated with their 2004 release of "The Epic Compromise" on Merck Records, and with "Janus Plays Telephone", they drop it heavy once again. Coming across with the cool, sophistication of 50s and 60s era improvisational jazz mixed with the tense moods and funk rhythms of instrumental hip-hop and electronic music, their open, explorative playing style and lush orchestration leave many others who have experimented with jazz/hip-hop/electronic fusion sounding like elementary cut and paste. This is jazz music for sure but there's nothing cliché or played out about it.

1. 123 Isn't Easy
2. Dark Days
3. With The Past And Future
4. Janus Plays Telephone
5. Whisper Down The Lane
6. Through The Canopy
7. Stevie Bam Jackson

They play with a balance of 4 brass, 4 string, 2 winds, piano and electronics, and there will be times in this album when the harmonies and rhythm gel so nicely, you'll know you just aren't going to hear this anywhere else. If they aren't improvising as they go, I can't imagine how their minds orchestrate the whole thing, and if they are improvising and recording as they go, they're straight out genius at what they do. Just listen to "Whisper Down The Lane" from start to finish and you'll hear what I'm talking about.

It's as subtle as impossible to ignore the skill with which The Landau Orchestra seamlessly blend jazz string, horns, percussion and piano with rhythmic glitches, ticks and various other "electronic" techniques. It takes idm experimentation into a whole new realm.

...and if "Stevie Bam Jackson" doesn't evoke at least one "omg" from you...let alone a "hs" or two...damn...my apologies, because it should.

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