Rumpelzirkus

There’s some sort of genius at work here. Swiss Sacha Winkel’s leaves the minimal pretenders in his wake with a masterclass in how not to do things, properly. Channelling afro-beat, jazz, folktronica, funk, and a smidgin of warped pop through his Herbert-meets-Villalobos house template, he delivers an album that creeps up on you; one that reveals greater subtleties with each listen. The use of live brass, bass, guitars and predominantly analogue gear – plus Winkler’s nonsensical, non-singing vocal – gives this 12-tracker an unexpectedly human, warm feeling. And that – in a genre now populated by dull imitators – is reason enough to love this daft, delightful album.