Rand is German duo comprised of pianist Jan Gerdes and electronic whiz Dr. Nojoke. The two joined forces in the plague year of 2020 with the intent of exploring “the frontiers of contemporary piano music and experimental club electronics” and interweaving “individualized, poetic and lyrical piano sound with the overwhelming, orchestral and bizarre soundscapes of electronic music.” The results are charmingly characterized as “New Urban and Sensitive Music.”
Their album Peripherie is based on partly improvised, partly composed work by Gerdes that is rich in patient melody. The piano is quiet, at times hesitant, always thoughtful and clear as a bell, while Dr. Nojoke lightens or lowers the mood, lightly dusting or pulsing juicily. Electronics only truly overwhelms once, during the excellent “Blood Moon,” when a cascade of noise completely obliterates the piano (though it returns in the end, unscathed). Like the watercolor painted by Gerdes on its cover, Peripherie is a landscape abstracted – seemingly familiar but artfully rendered brand new.
Rand has also released four complementary remixes on the doctor’s own label Clikno, including forays by himself, session engineer Andrea Cichecki and dub-techno master Deadbeat.
Stephen Fruitman
Avant Music News 