Baron Crane is an instrumental band from Paris, France which alternates its style skilfully between jazz, noise and stoner rock to create beautiful soundscapes. They have released a new six-song EP that can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp. Make sure to check out their fantastic self-titled debut EP.

Baron Crane's music is very thoughtful, quite challenging but highly rewarding. It lurches cleverly between incredibly energetic yet memorable melodies, ambition and experimentation. Their well-received previous release proved they are one of the most creative and compelling acts in the stoner rock underground. Once again the band blends progressive rock, jazz rock, noise and stoner rock elements, casting all music boundaries aside, to create epic rhythms and nasty grooves.

Swirling with different time signatures, musical styles and rapturous energy, Baron Crane prove that genres are for the common man and that genius lies in the outliers. It might turn off some conventional rock lovers, but for those who would like to listen to creativity being tested, they will love Electric Shades. It is truly a work of art!

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Nyctophiliac - Dark Side Of The Mental (2016)

And now for something completely different. Well, not really, because it's dark jazz time again! And dark jazz is a big part of Stoner Mountain. But I must admit that Nyctophiliac is a bit different. I'm glad to have found it on Bandcamp.

Nyctophiliac is a solo project hailing from Skopje, Macedonia. Dark Side Of The Mental (his full-length debut album) is a musical puzzle consisting of all various types of music (hip-hop, trip-hop, jazz, electronica and of course dark jazz). It's almost entirely instrumental with some sampled vocals in a couple of tracks. The album is full of different sounds, samples, slow vibrating bass lines, laid back jazz sax, hip-hop breakbeats and loops. All fused into one seamless, seductive sound, heavily inspired by Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch and Dale Cooper Quartet & the Dictaphones. My only complaints - there are 16 tracks on the album and not every song here is quite that good, three or four of the numbers probably could have been dispensed with. But the entire album is very good over all, great late night driving music.

A superb start to his career - well thought out, well crafted. A hint of the great things to come. I recommend this album not only for all lovers of dark jazz, but just for anyone who is into music. Dark Side Of The Mental might be the best place to start with the genre, as Nyctophiliac is closer to hip-hop and trip-hop than other dark jazz artists, which make it easier to listen to.

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Baron Crâne - Baron Crâne EP (2015)

Baron Crane is a refreshing instrumental formation from Paris, France. They play fuzzy instrumental grooves that will get you moving. Rooted firmly in the stoner rock genre while still drawing from jazz, dub and noise rock. A real crazy but absolutely stunning sound. These guys deliver some really great jams. From the production to the song-writing and artwork, everything is top notch on this magnificent record. Gave this one a few spins and it kept me coming back for more.

Their self-titled debut EP was released last year, but it's never too late to write about cool music. Visit their Bandcamp page below & support these guys!

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