Christian Prommer presents us his second chapter of Drumlesson and he still draws his influences from Detroit techno, but also moves toward classic European electronic music this time around. His organic cover versions are less heavy on straight jazz, and have more of a prog rock and fusion edge surrounded by avant-garde arrangements. He gets a little more psychedelic and adds some kraut rock flavor, inspired by the plentiful German acts from the ’70s and ’80s. The selections are broad, from Carl Craig to Laurent Garnier, Dennis Ferrer, Jerome Sydenham and Jean-Michel Jarre. He produced everything alongside Peter Kruder and a handful of studio musicians. He was also more directly involved in playing drums, piano and percussion. After the recording sessions, he worked on each track in his studio, switching roles from live player to electronic producer.

The album opens with the hypnotic and transcendent “Sandstorms,” a deep rework of Carl Craig with some heavy kraut to it. “Sleepy Hollow” by Stefan Goldmann sounds like a scene from a spy movie or a blaxploitation score. The most atmospheric and beautiful track on the album is the reconstructed Jean-Michel Jarre anthem “Oxygène Part IV” with a haunting piano and glockenspiel, it almost cries for Thom Yorke vocals. A worthy last track for Drumlesson Zwei is “Sandcastles,” the massive hit by Dennis Ferrer and Jerome Sydenham. It’s reinvented as an epic avant-garde jam and plays out as a cinematic masterpiece. The album is heavy and cosmic, and shows us that a great composition can have many suits.

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