makajodama makajodama

Released: 10 November 2009 Label: Laser's Edge

It’s not very often I’m baffled by an album but Makajodama’s self-titled debut has managed to do just that to me – and not just by having to double check that I’ve spelt the band name right every time I type it either!

I think the main problem I’ve had with this album is that though there’s eight, entirely instrumental tracks on the CD there’s no “songs” as such and the album is really more of a single rambling, almost stream of consciousness piece rather than eight separate songs. There’s a heavy 70s psychedelic prog influence throughout the album, with King Crimson being the name that comes to mind most often, though there is the inevitable Floyd-isms here and there as well.

The general feel of the album is pretty laid back and occasionally even a tad introspective with the melody lines being carried by various different instruments including electric cello, violin and sitar amongst many others that meander in and out of what are essentially jams. As I said before, there’s no “songs” in the classical sense on this album and while as a whole the album creates a wonderfully chilled out atmosphere while it’s playing and there’s something new to hear every time it’s played, there’s very little that’s actually memorable and nothing really stays with you after the final chords of final track Autumn Suite have finished ringing out.

This isn’t a bad album by any means but one I feel that you have to be in the right sort of mood to listen to, probably late at night on your own, feeling a bit contemplative with a bottle of red wine open...

by Neil Woodfin