Hans Castrup + James Hill
The POSTbabylonian disPLAYing - Part I - V
5 track album, released July 31, 2026
Following the spectacular debut of the duo "Hybrid Rain and Liquid Paper" on Mahorka in 2024, the long-awaited second album from Hans Castrup and James Hill is here!
In contrast to "Hybrid Rain...", James Hill's trumpets are not done on the base of Hans Castrup's electronics - they were recorded as short takes by James Hill in his studio and then - in the way of remixing - re-edited, layered, stretched and tuned by Hans Castrup. This resulted in a new kind of industrial jazz orchestral sound. Additionally Hans Castrup plays with pianos, keyboards, xylophone, tapes and field recordings and, notably, he also makes extensive use of the studio itself as an instrument.
The recordings have been deliberately left ‘raw’ – in the style of jazz recordings, without extensive use of compressors or general volume enhancement. In that sense, the sound can be described as old-fashioned in a positive way.
PLAY LOUD!
"A powerful counterpoint to ‘Wagnerian’ pathos, delicate opulence – tender, multi-layered, courageous. And by ‘courageous’, I mean: Composing and releasing this kind of music is a political act, going in the correct/proper direction. A composition that brings world events to life in a powerful way. Synesthetic experiences that inspire profound reflection." --Sabine Castrup
"A massive orchestra, James Last’s Big Band – a brass ensemble that’s all about blaring away – and dark industrial/ambient elements (early Laibach, mid-period Lustmord) simply can’t agree on a thing. It creaks and crackles: all I can say is: incredible music! The new speakers have never been pushed to their limits like this before..." --Stephan Wolf
Hans Castrup - Electronics, Korg MS20, studio
James Hill - Trumpet
EMERGE - violin on tracks I and V
Images by Hans Castrup
Artwork design by Ivo Petrov and Angel Draganov
[mhrk502]
