Transmitter: Sonic Abstractions, by A.J. Kaufmann

Transmitter: Sonic Abstractions by A.J. Kaufmann, released 24 February 2023 1. Kozmic Liebling Bluez 2. Okazyjna piwnica 3. Globus to Zero 4. Ach Czas 5. Emotion 6. Laska 7. Life Has Been Your Frying Pan 8. Lodowy aniol w sloncu 9. Silingi 10. Moj dom jest moja swiatynia 11. Phasemen 12. Eternal Beginner 13. Alpenblick 14. Fajna czesc 15. Mgielka Early Misty 16. Fashion Fascism 17. Coma Berenices 18. Asthmatic 19. Frakcja Starozytnych Znika w Bagnie 20. Jeden Idiota A Drugi Tez Bassman "Transmitter - Sonic Abstractions by A.J. Kaufmann" is an album recorded at Amaranth House, Poznan, Poland, May 17 - November 8 2019. For the sessions I utilized all the weaponry I had at hand. From acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, synths, drum machines, hand drums, toys, voice to MIDI drums, fx, flute, samples, vocoder, and field recording. I was soaking in the ambience of old fashion magazines, Honoré d'Urfé's "L'Astrée", Amon Duul, Popol Vuh (band and book), legends of Atlantis, Brian Jones, Yuri Morozov, and Ingrid Steeger. The sessions were meant to be released as one super long concept album, but as time went by I decided to only release 2 albums from those sessions. They were 2021's "Cacilia" (Anticipating Nowhere Records, UK): http://music.anticipatingnowhere.com/album/cacilia and "Astrea" (Fifth Section Records, Uruguay): http://fifthsectionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/astrea In 2022 I contacted Mike Sill of Ramble Records, the wonderful psychedelic brother who released "Stoned Gypsy Wanderer" on vinyl for the first time, and also the debut LP of my band Saure Adler, and asked him if he'd be interested in curating the "Astrea" sessions further. To my tremendous joy, he agreed, and selected 20 most interesting tracks from the whole mammoth 2019 "Astrea" session. The CD which is available here is called "Transmitter", and is exactly what an artist should be in my opinion. It's a good sonic portrait of my research in the fields of experimental and electroacoustic music and improvisation, as almost 100% of what you hear on the CD was improvised on the spot. The sessions were quite legendary and epic, but I don't like to brag, so I'll leave the amount of hash and wine consumed to your imagination. I have since adopted a more healthy lifestyle, so it's nothing to be proud of at all, but the music is a testimony of the person who recorded "Stoned Gypsy Wanderer" back in 2014, and then, 5 years later, reinvented the same recording setting, house, and instruments for sonic exploration of space (explore the space, more cowbell!). So, it is not only a transmission, but also the finding of true self. "Stoned Gypsy Wanderer" was the self of a 29y/o folk artist, while "Transmitter" is the self of a 34y/o Kosmische experimentator and "Eternal Beginner". I would like to thank my Family for their Love, Mike Sill for curating the album, and doing some amazing work for the international Underground, Justin Jackley for the wonderful artwork and brotherhood, and everyone, really, whom I came across in my life - especially the mighty Amon Duul, and some guy from ESP-Disk who promised to listen to my demo back in 2015. Still no answer. A.J., 2022. I remember a few years back when I first discovered A.J.’s material, it was like finding a distant relative or long lost brother - I was instantly drawn to its originality and familiarity; and as I dug deeper into his huge canon of work I was astounded by the sheer volume and quality. A.J. was also producing work under numerous pseudonyms. I would email the link on the Säure Adler site, Fairyport Convent or the Adam Majdecki-Janicki page and A.J. would respond with ‘it’s me Mike.’ You have to laugh, because here is this poet/psych singer-songwriter who has already published more than 50 releases and he remains an unknown; such is the enigma of music. As I got to know A.J. I realised we had an awful lot in common and we connected both as musical comrades and friends. A.J.’s output covers many of my favourite genres: psych rock/folk, kosmische/krautrock, space rock, and punk, so, when he asked me to curate a release of his, I was extremely honoured and thrilled. Of course the task would be daunting, as I’d have to choose from 66 tracks. Deciding on the tracks was not easy and I could have chosen all of the psych vocal songs but I wanted to allow people the opportunity to experience the breadth of A.J.’s work, so I chose a selection of tracks that covers most of his genres. There are some of his more cinematic instrumental tracks that some may be unaware of and combined with his poignant and often sardonic humour-driven vocal arranged tracks, I think Transmitter is a well-rounded release. All in all, I think you will hear a side of A.J.'s material that may not have been as exposed as some of his other works and I hope you appreciate this wonderful artist and give as much support as you can to him…because he has dedicated his whole being to his art. Mike Sill Ramble Records 2022