About Me
Where the fun never really got started...
Banzai Republic - a State of Mind shared by a 3-man music production unit living in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Republic's chilled brand of Lounge was a melting pot of widely diverse musical styles, such as reggae, deep-house, ambient, blues, trip-hop, electronic & world music - all synced, subverted and strained through a psychodelic filter of Dub.
BR produced remixes of a variety of artists, such as Telepopmusik, Madredeus, Weekend Players, Santos, Al Lindrum, Laid Back, Filur, Black Powder, Sergio Mendez, Cantoma, Bliss, Grassskirt, Blue Foundation, B+B International and Cirque Du Soleil. BR DJ'ed regularly throughout 2001-2004, highlights of which included Roskilde Festival, Stella Polaris, and Camp Electric, our weekly lounge program @ Radio Kiss FM, and residencies in Copenhagen at Very Disco, Rust, Aura, Robert's Coffee, and Bloomsday Bar.
The Republic's debut album - Where The Fun Starts Early In The Day - was released in Denmark on April 29th, 2004, and the rest of the world on May 25th, 2004, via Danish lounge/electronica label Music for Dreams . It featured contributions by Mahalia Jackson, Natacha Atlas, Palle Mikkelborg, Lightning Hopkins, Al Jarreau, Bukka White, and Earth. "Where the Fun Starts" received rave, 5-star reviews in the danish and international press.
However, sick of economic impoverishment, psychosis (and the lies, intreige, manipulation, theft, and bullying attendant thereto), as well as the unpredictable local music industry, Banzai Republic ceased all production as an entity with the last album session in 2003, after which the Republicans went their seperate ways. The individual members continued to DJ during 2003-4 under the Banzai banner in a paultry and vain attempt to promote our album, but with little positive result.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS...
Despite the ceasation of all production activities with the Republic, life and music goes on...
Adam Seitzmayer is reportedly completeing an apprenticeship as mason, and has plans to move to Ibiza in the near future to furthur his career as DJ and producer.
Jon Anderson (alias Jon A. or Jah Bozo ) has a new studio and production unit - CINEMA OF SOUND - with drummer and programmer, Jonas Østergaard . CoS have produced much of CLARK ANDERSON 's forthcoming solo album, as well as the INDISTOGETHER project, the fulfillment of previous collaboration between Banzai Republic and singer/songwriter, JON CENTURY .
Torsten Jacobsen has been involved in other projects, including work with singer, Mikæl Simpson.
A COUPLE OF CHOICE REVIEWS
"Where The Fun Starts Early In The Day"
beyondjazz.net by Cuki
"Where the fun starts early in the day" has had legendary status here at Soul Seduction in Vienna for nearly two years now. Yes, two years, and I finally get to fill out a reaction sheet. And in those two years, I have grown to adore the sound of Banzai. Lush, extravagant and profuse, a sound almost intoxicating and hypnotic. This is communication of the warmest kind. This is what lounge, chill out, downtempo, nujazz music was supposed to be!
I really do hope this album goes the way of Koop, St Germain and Gotan Project, it deserves to be as successful and as well received. It is faultless in its ability to induce, invigorate and exalt the imagination of the listener. It simply is one of the best albums I have heard in recent years. It has stood up to time too! Two years and I still feel captivated and excitement of the sound coming from the CD player. How many artist albums can honestly say that? In a world of utterly disposal consumables, and likeminded music that has unfortunately been designed to be disposed of after short term use, "Where the fun starts early in the morning" gives the impression of satisfaction and contentment you feel when something is very very right. It gives this impression time after time after time.
Banzai Republic - Little Republic, Big Sound
by Toke Hinsch
Put your feet up and just enjoy! From start to finish, it is to be enjoyed and "lounged", and here I could almost stop but then again, perhaps not.
Banzai Republic consists of Buddha T, Seitzmayer and Jon.A. They have made music together since 1995, but it was first in 2000, that things began to take off, when they met Kenneth Bager ("Baker" - ed.). They played the track 'In My Home' and the baker was sold. The first single release from Banzai Republic came in 2001, in the form of 'In My Home' with the wonderful sampled soul voice belonging to Mahalia Jackson. This was at the same time the first single from Kenneth Bagers record company, Music for Dreams.
But an additional three years have gone, and why that? 'In My Home' managed to come out on several different compilations, including 'Buddha Bar', 'Real Ibiza' and 'D'Store Mix'. This was followed by numerous remix jobs for, among others, Filur, Laid Back, Weekend Players, Cantoma, Bliss, Sergio Mendez and Cirque du Soleil. To this must be appended a deal of DJ work throughout Denmark, in Ibiza, and they have also played at Midem (an international music convention in Cannes. -ed.) for the 'Discover Denmark' exhibition.
There has also been some serious work in the studio, where they have been visited by different clever and talented musicians. This, together the lads' great creativity and talent, has produced a fantastic album, spanning from jazz, through dub, house and down tempo to world music. One might at first think that this resulted in a messy and ungraceful mixture, but no, it's "stinkingly fat" (a direct translation of a quaint Danish expression, meaning "totally fantastic". -ed.)
The first number is suggestive of simple blues, oweing not only to the title 'Gamblin' Man', but also the tasty slideguitar and rusty voice of Bukka White. An extremely original, chilled, ambient-blues number, which also constitutes the next single release.
Of the many brilliant musicians that have been used, Palle Mikkelborg is worth naming, as he has laid his trumpet on many numbers, including 'Yess'. The fantastic sensitive sound that he manages to wring out of the trumpet sounds almost like whale-song.
Another wonderful contribution comes from Natascha Atlas, adding a magical voice to 'Love Throughout'. That you don't understand what is being sung is immaterial, as it is the atmosphere that is essential, and it could not be produced in a more harmonious fashion.
Lastly, the number 'When She's Gone' should also be mentioned - a sampling of Al Jareaus' classic. The number is one of the more housey numbers but, as with the rest, it is complete and made with respect.
RELEASES:
2001
In My Home / Pandajero (10") (Music For Dreams)
2002
In My Home / Pandajero (Promo) (10") (Music For Dreams)
2004
Where The Fun Starts Early In The Day (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Gamblin' Man EP (12") (Music For Dreams)
When She's Gone EP (12") (Music For Dreams)
World Dub Pastry (Part 1 of 3) (7") (Music For Dreams)
2005
Remember Me / Avenue D'Afropa (12") (Balearic Biscuits)
REMIXES:
Sergio Mendez - Magalenha (Banzai Republic Remix) (12") (Not On Label)
2001
The Grand Lounge (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Laid Back - White Horse (Banzai Republic Remix)
2002
Madredeus - Electronico (CD) (Nettwerk America)
O Mar (Moana Maru Remix)
Filur - Fallin' (EP) (Disco:Wax)
Fallin' (Banzai Republic Freefall Remix)
Filur - Fallin' (12") (Disco:Wax)
Fallin' (Banzai Republic Freefall Remix)
Weekend Players - Into The Sun (CD1) (CD5") (Multiply Records)
21st Century (Banzai Rebublic Remix)
Santos - Ke Dolor (12") (Mantra Vibes)
Ke Dolor (Banzai Republic Que Mix)
Al Lindrum - Love In The Park (12") (Brother Brown Recordings)
Love In The Park (Banz...)
2003
Balearic Sampler 2003 (12") (Disco:Wax)
Filur - Fallin' (Banzai Republic Free Fall Mix - The Larry Heard Edit)
Etoile EP (12") (Music For Dreams)
Phil Mison & Pathaan - The Call (Banzai Republic Reply Remix)
Siddharta - Spirit Of Buddha Bar Vol.1 (2xCD) (Wagram)
Santos - Ke Dolor (Banzai Republic Que Mix)
Cirque du Soleil - Tapis Rouge Volume 2 (12") (Cirque Du Soleil Musique)
Africa (Banzai Republic Equator Bound Remix)
Latin Lounge (CD) (EMI International)
Laid Back - White Horse (Banzai Republic Remix)2004
Santos - Abrasive (2xCD) (Mob Records)
Big Bubble Soap Machine (Banzai Republic Remix)
Buddha-Bar VI By Ravin (2xCD) (Wagram)
Breathe (Banzai Republic X-Hale Remix)
DJ Disse - Egyptian Disco (12") (Music For Dreams)
Egyptian Disco (Banzai Republic Remix Part 2)
Cirque du Soleil - Remixed (12") (Cirque Du Soleil Musique)
Africa (Banzai Republic Equator Bound Remix)
Cirque du Soleil - Tapis Rouge: Solarium Chill (CD) (Cirque Du Soleil Musique)
Africa (Banzai Republic Equator Bound Remix)
Happiness (mixed by Claude Challe) (Import/Generic)
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - Africa (Banzai Republic Equator Bound Mix)
World Dub Pastry (CD) (Music For Dreams)
DJ Disse - Egyptian Disco (Banzai Republic Remix Part 2)
2005
Lenny Ibizarre & DJ Mag Present - Balearic Traditions - Lost And Found (CD) (in DJ Magazine)
Phil Mison & Pathaan - The Call (Banzai Republic Reply Remix)
Cirque du Soleil - Solarium/Delirium (2xCD) (Cirque Du Soleil Musique)
Africa (Banzai Republic Equator Bound Remix)
2006
Balearic Biscuits (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Phil Mison & Pathaan - The Call (Banzai Republic Reply Remix)
CO-PRODUCTION:
2003
Luftkastellet (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Bliss - Sleep Will Come
Luftkastellet Vinyl Sampler (12") (Music For Dreams)
Bliss - Sleep Will Come
Bliss - Quiet Letters (CD) (Music For Dreams)
2004
Bliss - Long Life EP (12") (Music For Dreams)
Kissing, Song For Olabi
2005
Laid Back - Happy Dreamer (Music For Dreams)
Slow Friday
2006
An Introduction (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Bliss - Right Here
Bliss - Quiet Letters / Quiet Reconstructions (2xCD) (Music For Dreams)
TRACKS APPEAR ON:
1999
Fusion Vs. Confusion (2xCD) (Exogenic Records)
Day In The Jungle
2001
Lenny Ibizarre presents Blissed Out (CD) (in DJ Magazine)
In My Home
Elements Of Lounge (CD) (Music For Dreams; in Euroman magazine)
In My Home
Music For Dreams Vol.1 (2xCD) (Music For Dreams)
In My Home
The Grand Lounge (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Gambling Man
Musikken fra "Robinson Ekspedition" (CD) (Music for Dreams)
Never Feel (featuring Palle Mikkelborg)
Bombay Bar (2xCD) (EMI)
In My Home
2002
Blues Beat Sessions (CD) (Dro East West)
Gambling Man
D'Storemix : Et (2xCD) (Virgin Records (Denmark))
I Love My Radio
D'Storemix : Et (12") (Virgin Records (Denmark))
I Love My Radio
Malkasten Vol. V (2xCD) (Universal Marketing Group GmbH)
In My Home (Original)
The Blue Room - Mixed by Chris Coco & Rob Da Bank (CD)
(in Muzik magazine)
Love Throughout The World
Cafedge Universe (CD) (Bass Recordings/Handcut Records - Japan)
No Matter How Hard I Try
2003
The United Nations Of Future Music (2xLP) (OM Records)
Howdy (with Fred Everything)
The United Nations Of Future Music (CD) (OM Records)
Howdy (with Fred Everything)
Chillout In Ibiza 5 (2xCD) (Smart Records (Canada))
Love Throughout The World
Luftkastellet (CD) (Music For Dreams)
No Matter How Hard I Try
Luftkastellet Vinyl Sampler (12") (Music For Dreams)
No Matter How Hard I Try
Siddharta - Spirit Of Buddha Bar Vol. 2 (2xCD) (Wagram)
Never Feel
The Yin Yang Room (Dyn / Bar de Lune)
Love Throughout the World
2004
Hug A Stranger (CD) (Not On Label)
No Matter How Hard I Try
Luftkastellet 2 (CD) (Music For Dreams)
When She's Gone
Pathaan's Global Sunset (2xCD) (Altura Music)
Love Throughout The World
Reveal Your True Nature (CD) (in Plastiks magazine)
Love Throughout The World
World Dub Pastry (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Fætter Dub
Zen Connection 3 (2xCD) (One World Music)
Love Throughout The World
Blue Baleric (2xCD) (BBC Music/Sanctuary Records)
Gamblin' Man
Cafe Mambo Ibiza: The Album (Defected)
When She's Gone
2005
Laid Back - People (Promo) (CDr) (Flex Records (DK))
People (Banzai Republic Mix)
Bar Lounge Classics Oriental Edition (2xCD) (BMG)
Love Througout The World
Kumharas Vol. 3 (CD) (Ultra Vista Records)
Love Throughout The World
The Dream Temple (2xCD) (Yellow Sunshine Explosion)
Gamblin' Man
Oliver Peoples, Vol.4 (Quango)
In My Home
Cafe Krishna (Park Lane Records UK)
Love Throughout the World (featuring Natascha Atlas)
2006
An Introduction (CD) (Music For Dreams)
Gamblin' Man
Bliss - Quiet Letters / Quiet Reconstructions (2xCD) (Music For Dreams)
Ibiza Cafe (2xCD) (Cassagrande Spain)
Loolah (featuring Natascha Atlas)
Cafe Solaire Vol.9: Ethno Moods & Deep Cool (Clubstar Germany)
In My Home
ON FILM:
Nordkraft (dir. Ole Christian Madsen - Nimbus Film)
Fætter Dub
