Show #196: KTU at Moers Jazz Festival '05

October 19th, 2009

KTU started as a pairing of King Crimson’s rhythm section of Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn going around as TU with Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen of Kluster. However, these days they are down to a trio as Kosminen’s schedule rendered him unable to devote himself full-time to the band.

I saw KTU back in 2007 and it was an incredible showcase for the band’s unique proggy take on electronica. Mastelotto is one of the best drummers around and it seems like Kosminen’s absence meant that he had taken up some of the triggering duties. There were times when he played as if he were everywhere at once, yet he also displayed restraint and provided the necessary room for his bandmates. Gunn plays the Warr guitar which is used as half of the rhythm section at times and a melodic device at others. Pohjonen wields an accordion like no one else. He has been described as the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion and it’s a pretty apt description. While many think of the accordion as this nice, friendly instrument for polkas or to provide some background music at French cafes, in Pohjonen’s hands, it almost becomes a weapon. Sure, he can and does play friendly melodic bits, but, when he gets fired up, look out. At these times, he will cull unearthly noises from his instrument, banging it on his lap as he summons Cthulhu himself.

The performance here was recorded on 13 May 2005 when Samuli Kosminen was still with the group. On that day, they played at the Moers Jazz Festival in Moers, Germany. Today we have a nice audience recording of the gig.

Download show

KTU

Here’s the band that same year performing “Absinthe” in Portugal.

Related posts:

1. KTU Coming to Chicago Area
2. Sometimes Warrior, Sometimes Mystical
3. Lucky Germans
4. KTU @ Durty Nellie's
5. KTU's Latest Album Has U.S. Release Date