After some years of (non)hiatus, Contagious are back with a new album that furthers the evolution of their uncompromising sound. The album features the high caliber talents of guests: Valentina Magaletti, Sofia Jernberg and Andrea Belfi.
Being is conceived around the different activities pursued by the band since the release of their first (self-titled) album. Members Sabine Ercklentz, Andrea Neumann and Mieko Suzuki have been concentrating on performing, composing and organizing their own event series “Partners in Crime” at Morphine Raum, Berlin. This series is an ongoing process of inviting musicians to collaborate, share and record new material, unrestricted by genre or anything else. It was during these sessions that Being was conceived and recorded. Inspired by the wide range of lifeforms found in nature, the track titles are once again dedicated to species that challenge binary notions of sex.
The album conveys the band’s brutal approach to improvised processing: tense buildups, powerful grooves and delicate release. Contagious’ signature sound very much suits the wild vocal extensions by Sofia Jernberg, obsessive drum patterns by Valentina Magaletti and the Moondog-esque, hypnotic percussion of Andrea Belfi, all of whom offer powerful contributions to a number of tracks.
Composed and performed by Contagious and guests
Sabine Ercklentz: Trumpet, Processing
Andrea Neumann: Inside Piano, Prepared Mixer
Mieko Suzuki: Electronics, Turntables
Guest musicians
Sofia Jernberg: Voice
Valentina Magaletti: Drums
Andrea Belfi: Drums
Recorded, arranged and mixed by Rabih Beaini at Morphine Raum, Berlin
Mastered by Rashad Becker
Produced by Rabih Beaini
Designed by Lorenzo Mason Studio
Track A1 and B3 contain samples from Beneath The Silver Sun and Pulsing Study of Seven Sine Waves Pt. One by Eleh.
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