MUNKIE have signed a deal with O'Neil clothing to use the tracks "Antidote to Strychnine" and "Thin Skin" in their winter advertising campaign.
"Antidote to Strychnine" was broadcast on Sky TV show - Pulse Rated between 11pm and Midnight (GMT) on the 26th Feb 2006. see www.pulserated.com for details on the show.
""Antidote to Strychnine" is also available on the compilation "Ra'mien" released by Soundlab Entertainment.
We are currently organising an original style video promo for this single. If there are any animators that would be interested in getting involved with this project then please let me know.
The new album "Dark Corners" is currently being recorded and is a more funkier affair but still keeping the dark mellow edge.
MUNKIE merchandise is now available via the sunshine music website, just click on the link and choose the SHOP logo on the menu.
They are currently working on a live set to hopefully get on the road sometime this year, sign up to the newsletter on the Sunshine Music website to be kept informed.
MUNKIE are now published through Mohican Records
REVIEWS
=======
“Chemical Process”
Reviewed by: Jo Cowap for Zejo
Munkie have been around for over three years now and frankly I’m surprised they aren’t a household name… The latest album, Chemical Process, is a fantastic blend of ambience and haunting vocals. It’s the kind of album you would put on when you are chilling with a bottle of wine in a candlelit atmosphere, and hopefully someone to enjoy it with. Because you will want to spread the word once you’ve had the total chill out experience this album offers.
Each of the 11 tracks has a personality from Fire in my heart where the emotion pumps out the speakers to the beat sounds from Dream of you (in colours). It would be hard to choose a favourite but if I had to, mine would be the title track, Chemical Process, which wafted me back to the 80’s with it’s experimental electronica reminiscent of Gary Numan.
Munkie have said that they would like to believe their music would make a difference to someone’s day. Well done guys, you made my day and Chemical Process will remain at the top of my fave tracks for a long time to come.
MUNKIE: Chemical Process (Andy Garibaldi – Dead Earnest)
The second album from this seriously up and coming ambient song-based duo of Kate Peters on vocals and Jason Clark handling all the music, is a success. In many ways it's more mature than the first one, in that the debut album really fired on all cylinders, while this one, still a powerful affair, uses its power a lot more dynamically, with a much more brooding feel to many of the pieces, this aspect most obvious in a track such as the four minute 'Fire In My Heart' which employs seriously chunky electronic drums, a wicked dub-bass that will have your teeth fillings rattling, acres of splendid, expansive synths, even more overlays and atmospherics from the electronics, a slight Asian feel and, above all this, the heavenly, angelic voice of Kate Peters slides gracefully through the song, the effect absolutely magical, so powerful, so restrained and so gorgeous, all at the same time. With 11 songs ranging from three to five minutes, the full effect is on view, with some tracks a bit more sprightly and commercial, while a song like 'Shatter The Circles' is just so full of heavenly passion and beautiful instrumentation, as strings, synths, piano, electro-percussive rhythms and deep bass supply the backdrop to a smoothly flowing vocal from the gorgeous voice of Ms Peters. In the tradition of most really good second albums, this is not as instant as the first, but it only takes second listen to realise what a superb quality slice of ambient song-writing, playing and vocalising, this is, as the tracks unfold to perfection, not a less than stunning composition on the entire album. In the vein of things such as Massive Attack (only, in my opinion, way more enjoyable), this band just get better and better - somebody sign them up - NOW!!!!
Having reviewed his other album, I feel a bit apprehensive as to what Munkie's done with himself since. Thankfully, this album is a mix of the sublime, the dark and the cheerful. Munkie has another cracking CD here, mixing dark synths, gorgeous vocals and some of the funkiest, downbeat drum patterns I've heard in ages. It's fair to say that 'Chemical Process' elevates Munkie into a bone fide artiste.
Opener 'Antidote To Strychnine' is a mellow piece of downbeat electronica, complete with some of the haziest, melancholic vocals ever. The sweeping synths and the minor chords whip about the track, giving it the edge that most 'chill out' (god, I hate that phrase) music lacks. In a word, niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.
The album then changes pace, and from the sublime we go to dark via the up tempo. 'Dream Of You (In Colours)' is a happy-ish big beated effort, whilst 'More Precious Than Gold' is just plain scary in parts, with its vocodered (and not like Cher) vocals and its sinister synths, it really does give you the creeps. In a good way though. Fire In My Heart' is reminiscent of a Massive Attack if they weren't so paranoid from smoking weed all the time. Pulsating bass lines, trippy beats and soft synths all slowly bounce around like bubbles in a lava lamp. Oh, and those vocals... Kate Peters- you have one seductive voice.
The 808 comes out on '(We Are) Automated', which sounds like a weird mesh of early 80s electro a lá Afrika Bambataa/ Man Parrish, and Kraftwerk. Actually, it's not that weird as Afrika sampled 'Trans Europe Express' didn't he? Well, anyway, that's beside the point. The tinny, busy beats zip about, there are more sweeping synths and some more husky vocals.
The album's latter half starts with a paranoid, edgy instrumental (the title track) and the beautiful 'Shatter The Circles', featuring some gorgeous acoustic guitar, subtle piano and some more of Peters' fine singing. On 'Thin Skin' there's deep, haunting synths, quiet clicks from the drum machine and some acoustic guitar somewhere. It's slightly eerie, yet strangely heavenly. The last three are business as usual ('Torn Apart'), ever so noir ('In My Darkened Room') and the hazy ('Cry No More Tears'). It works well though, and the album retains its cohesion and consistency, yet at the same time using different dynamics to achieve it.
Jason Clark has yet again proved that he's a talented young man. The production on this album is something to be proud of. The layered synths, processed beats and programmed everything-else are not easy to achieve, trust me. Yet he's put so much attention to detail into every track here, it's hard to fault. Yeah, some tracks are better than others, but even on the ones that aren't to your taste you can still applaud the production and the effort in which it's taken to make it.
Kudos to Clark/ Peters, you always make me smile...
Review written by: Gavin Miller (Leeds Music Scene)