the particular view on a musical future might have been considerably different when olaf hilgenfeld (berlin) met iftah gabbai (jerusalem) for first sessions in 2004. the piano player hilgenfeld used the accordion that time mainly, whilst gabbai was using all instruments available, a computer was among those more by chance. only one year later the duo skinnerbox played regularly on such uplifting, innovative off-partys that came up in the new techno generation again.
that was just the beginning. skinnerbox have developed a purely electronically composed and performed music (partly featuring vocals by elle_p) – that is not based on loops but improvised techno inspired house and minimal house. the roles in the duo are clearly settled: olaf hilgenfeld – moog synthesizer, iftah gabbai – hardware drum machines, max/msp und ableton live.
all these distinct impacts and effects can be heard on their various releases from the last two years, but far better in their live sets. skinnerbox are an experience, taking you on expedition with paralyzing minimal, breaking house, hard-edged techno-jazz, and ambient electronica futurism.
it was a desire to eternalize this play- & colorful diversity, often just caused by the moment, as entire homogeneity. thus, they needed to leave temporarily their environmental techno and minimal house scapes. >king of spades and marmalades< – the result – is a jazz opus wrapped into a disco suitcase. it is a reminiscence as well as going far ahead of daily musical habits, shown not at least by the order of tracks, do not starting with a stunning hit of the album, but with 20 minutes of challenge.
