Paulsen & Stryczek are back with a new album. It bears the inscription „The World Is My Disease“ and assembles 11 Electro/Acoustic tracks.

„The World Is My Disease“ is also the name of the third song on the album. The words are an extract from the „Songs Of Lalla“, read by artist Valentina Leo a.k.a. MrsLove.
One could get the impression Paulsen & Stryczek have gone esoteric, getting high on yoga and tantra in an Indian ashram.
The inclusion of the violin played by Miko Mikulicz (Panama Red) in most of the compositions could be taken as further proof for this hunch.

The truth of the matter is, this album is created in the same spirit as previous releases by Paulsen & Stryczek. Fusing acoustic instruments with synthetic sounds has become a trademark of their work. With „The World Is My Disease“ they are once again inviting you to embark on a journey that amalgamates elements of tune, beat and soundscape.

Digital release date: March 04, 2022
Catalogue number: LGM373
Label: Lemongrassmusic – LC 12644

SINGLE (Click image to access the single at Spotify):

1. Rapt Motion (February 18, 2022):

Once met a daydreamer and a master in the art of living, a studio freak and a street musician, a singer-songwriter and a groove inventor. What sounds like a get-together of a few exceptional characters, is the electrifying interplay of Paulsen & Stryczek’s very fine talents and forces, endowing the duo’s best for another truly breathtaking album adventure. “Scratched like my soul” is their third album release on Lemongrassmusic, a well-grounded, warm glowing journey of 13 electro-acoustic soundscapes. Oftentimes, the album is ruled by variable, exquisite guitar work, which is naturally reinforcing the earthy expression, the album pleasantly radiates. Occasionally propelled by uplifting grooves, a dash of Dub, Tango or Lounge, the journey remains excitingly colourful.

The beautiful Opener “Sahara” sets the tone, followed by the probably best song of the album. With catchy vocals and a bluesy guitar riff,”Scratched Like My Soul” sounds like a reminiscent to Zero7 and Bill Withers at the same time. Each following song maintains the high quality level, while a subtle, irresistible longing keeps increasing. A blissful tinge, telling about the beauty of our world, sweeps us away. Clouds drift by, sea waves roll ashore, shady alleys of majestic trees with leaves rustling in the wind – such imaginary pictures flood one’s brain, while Paulsen & Stryczek keep telling us their road stories.

Jens Paulsen is probably best known for his groundbreaking releases under his monikers „Patchwork“ (Spirit Zone Recordings) and „Bazille Noir“ (Jubilee Records). He met Daniel Stryczek on a small festival in Northern Germany back in 2010. Daniel’s passion for songwriting and acoustic instruments perfectly compliments with Jens Paulsen’s studio skills. For “Scratched Like My Soul” a mandolin player, two vocalists and a field recordings sound collector with some old tapes in his pockets joined the pathway of production.

*** credits & equipment:

GUEST MUSICIANS:

vocalists:
Abdullah Ibrahim, Hannah Krebs, Sormeh, Jele Mensen, Maja Gille

instrumentalists:
Björn Deußen (mandolin)
Elmar Gajewi (accordeon)
Matthias Zoeller (bass)

field recordings:
Tobias Trebesius

EQUIPMENT:

acoustic guitars:
Yairi (Japan)
Seagull with solid cedar top (warm & deep resonating).
Hanika concert guitar, solid timber customized
Gibson B4512 60ies model (purchased in Upstate New York in garage sale)

electric guitars:
Ibanez Roadstar
Gibson Melody Maker
Harmony Rocket (late 50ies model)

basses (very important for us!):
acoustic bass (purchased in Thailand, for fairly little money)
Yamaha active E-bass,
various Synth-bass

percussion:
almost everything self-recorded such as shaker, tambourine, singing bowl, hang drum, bongos and a few ethnic rattles

filter:
Jomox Moonwind, Moogerfooger Murf

hardware synths:
Oberheim Matrix 1000, Studio Electronics SE-1
various Software synths

OUR INSPIRATIONS:
Ry Cooder ‘Ali Farka Toure’ und ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ (Havanna Postcard and Sahara)
Neil Young, Folkpickings and bottleneck
Sundance (The Chocolate Train)
B.B. King ‘The Thrill is Gone’ (The Thrill is On)

Digital Release Date: July 15th, 2016
Catalogue number: LGM215
Label: Lemongrassmusic (LC 12644)

The initial idea was the making of a house music album. The outcome is a smooth, organic sounding and fast lounge style. Paulsen & Stryczek release their second album ‘Tenki Yohou’ on the label Lemongrassmusic.

The new songs display a similar sound aesthetic to the material on ‘Sleepy Shuttle’. Electronic and acoustic worlds gently join, creating rich, warm and interwoven soundscapes. Programming, instrument playing and samples strike a tasteful balance. Where ‘Sleepy Shuttle’ is distinctly downbeat, ‘Tenki Yohou’ is fast and straight. 120-140 bpm. Four on the floor in each song. Danceable.

Vocals are a new and important ingredient. Not lyrics as much as the timbre of male and female voices. These adlibs, words and short phrases are used to emphasize and deepen the respective tune’s vibe, but stay clear of a popular approach. There are elements of classical songwriting, but they remain intermittent. The general notion of ‘Tenki Yohou’ belongs to the cosmos of electronica.

Digital release date: September 5th 2014
Catalogue number: LGM 169-4
Label: Lemongrassmusic – LC 12644

Jens Paulsen and Daniel Stryczek met on a small festival in Northern Germany in 2010. Daniel was performing there with his folk duo Jack Haunt. After the gig Jens and Daniel started talking and found out about their mutual interest in producing music and especially fusing and developing musical genres. They decided to meet up, experiment and record some tunes. It turned out to be a particularly fruitful cooperation.

Jens with his background in sound design and aesthetics („Patchwork“ released on Spirit Zone, „Bazille Noire“ released on Jubilee) and Daniel with his passion for songwriting and acoustic instruments started making songs together. With the help and guidance of the ROBA Music Verlag they published various albums.

„Sleepy Shuttle“ is a compilation of songs that combine elements of folk and electronic music. Song structures meet loop aesthetics. Acoustic and electronic sounds merge. The listener embarks on a journey through aural worlds. The psychedelic character of this album can be enjoyed as a meditative, mesmerizing, deep-listening experience. Cool, groovy beats, fat basses, psychedelic guitars, hypnotic arpeggios and catchy melody lines make „Sleepy Shuttle“ a suitable choice of music for ambient and chill-out settings and in the case of some songs even clubs.

„Sleepy Shuttle“ is being released on label Lemongrassmusic on October 18th 2013.

Jens and Daniel want to thank everyone that had a part in making „Sleepy Shuttle“. First and foremost the guest musicians and singers: Jele Mensen, Frederik Konradsen and Andreas Weinand (Clarinet). Many thanks to Tobias Trebesius for being a choice dude and designing the cover artwork. Many thanks for financial and emotional support from Kathrin Stryczek, Karl-Heinz Stryczek, Akane Otake, Jörg Meyer, Family Siptroth. Last not least, Felix Ragoss for feedback and guidance, as well as DJ Nartak for friendly support and playing our music.

Digital release date: October 18th 2013
Catalogue number: LGM 141-4
Label: Lemongrassmusic – LC 12644