Magnus is a collaboration between Tom Barman of superior Belgian noirists dEUS and heavyweight techno DJ/producer CJ Bolland. The dance/rock hybrid is usually an ugly beast, but The Body… represents a meeting of minds rather than a dilution of disparate talents. Live drums augment programmed beats throughout, while sax, Wurlitzer and sampled film dialogue are added to the mix and members of Belgian bands Evil Superstars and Millionaire guest. No one style dominates, but whether affecting the nervy white funk of Wolfgang Press (on “Hunter/Collector”) or imagining a Balearic take on the spaghetti western score (“Buttburner”), The Body… hangs together brilliantly.
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