Almost exactly 20 years ago, three gifted musicians and "dissidents" from the nuclues of the German progressive scene (Embryo, Neu, CAN, Missus Beastly, Real Ax Band) founded the seminal worldbeat collective DISSIDENTEN. The core trio of Friedo Josch (flute, soprano sax), Uve MYllrich (bass) and Marlon Klein (drums, electronics) has traveled the world and set up base camps in India, Morocco, Canada and Spain and collaborated with an array of vocalists and musicians from virtually everywhere around the globe. DISSIDENTEN Albums like Sahara Elektrik (1984), The Jungle Book (1992) and Instinctive Traveler (1997) have helped to shape and ever expand the current state of the art in global groove.

So obviously a simple "best of" album wouldn't suffice to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this unusual group. Instead, the "Godfathers of Worldbeat" (according to Rolling Stone magazine) have called upon a few of their friends and fans on the international DJ circuit to pick their favorite DISSIDENTEN track - to remix, remodel and redefine the global sound for the 21st century. The title - 2001: a worldbeat odyssey - is half ironic and half programmatic; after all, the band like Kubrick's space opera, was way ahead of its time when it first surfaced, and both are back with a vengeance in this highly symbolic year. That's where the similarities end, however, because the Dissidenten are alive and well, ready to roam the World again with their spacious multicultural grooves - with a little help from SHANTEL, SLOP SHOP, LEMONGRASS, LELONEK, SIMBAD, KULISCH & VANA, ANDREAS LEIFELD, Thomas Kessler and Path of Rhythm aka Dissidenten's own Marlon Klein.

Just take Shantel's version of "Telephone Arab" (off the album Life at the Pyramids): The dub and downbeat master who lives in Frankfurt, Germany and Tel Aviv, has actually recorded new strings and other live instruments, boosted the bass and yet left the basic structure intact.

Or Lelonek's "Funk.ed Up Mix" of "Instinctive Traveler" (taken from the album Instinctive Traveler): The London-based DJ, musician and longterm collaborator of Talvin Singh has delivered a very deep, funky and spaced-out version of one of DISSIDENTEN's live favorites.

Not to forget Slop Shop aka J. Peter Schwalm who just released a widely acclaimed album with Brian Eno: Schwalm counts Miles Davis and Joe Zawinul among his musical influences, but also remembers Dissidenten concerts from his formative years in the mid-eighties. His laid-back and highly innovative take on "All India Radio" (off Jungle Book) combines vintage keyboards, delay effects and pure bliss...

But actually each and every one of the ten tracks is a potential club hit, be it Simbad vs. Mowgly's totally off-kilter version of "Jungle Book", Kulisch & Vana's friendly bopping remix of "Morning Dance", one of the earliest Dissidenten tracks (taken from the album Germanistan) or Thomas Kesslers radio-friendly and powerful reworking of "Seek to Sigh". Let alone Lemongrass, originator of the most sublime and mellow drum & bass tracks in Germany, who is sure to put a smile on your face with his lovely rendition of "Instinctive Traveler" (the only track on 2001 to be remixed twice). Neither last, nor least: Techno-veteran Andreas Leifeld (Triebwerk, Next Step) who sends the track "Broken Moon" on a bass-heavy space trip.

The most surprising track, however, is probably "Open Up Your Eyes", a previously unreleased track from the Instinctive Traveler sessions which now pops to the surface as a bona-fide vocal House slash Broken Beats anthem with a soulful and worldly flavour. It is perhaps singer Bajka's finest recorded performance to date and also features Gary Wright's son Dorian on vocals. Extra beats added by Path of Rhythm aka Marlon Klein for maximum club compatibility.

Finally, yet another highlight for 2001: a worldbeat odyssey: Asian Underground hero Badmarsh, of Badmarsh & Shri fame was touring Europe with "Love Supreme" on his laptop, and he ultimately delivered a very percussive, uptempo breakbeat remix of this classic DISSIDENTEN track...

27.10.2001 - WOMEX in Rotterdam, Clubnight with Dissidenten & DJs. A club tour (Germany, Switzerland, Austria - Benelux tbc) is being planned for Nov/Dec 2001).

MUSICIANS

Marlon Klein: percussion, electronics Uve MYllrich: oud ; Friedo Josch: flute ; Manickam Yogeswaran: vocals, percussion ; Bajka: vocals ; N.N.: DJ ; Annahd: VJ.

Photographer's credits: Stefan Malzkorn.