A frequently intriguing recording to file alongside those of
Señor Coconut Y Su Conjunto, Burnt Friedmann Con Ritmo is a much more consciously straight-faced fusion of electronics with Latin and jazz. These eight tracks feature skittery comping on keyboards with angular vibes and an assortment of percussion improv -- at times only slightly aligned with Latin rhythms. Fronting the most likely non-existent disposable rhythm section,
Friedmann recruited sidemen including Cologne's
Josef Suchy for guitar on five tracks and South American transplant Atom Heart (aka
Señor Coconut himself) for Moog on one track. Thanks largely to
Suchy's minor-key musings, "Destination Unknown" is a highlight, as is Atom Heart's feature on the 12-minute "Das Wesen Aus Der Milchstrasse." ~ John Bush