It's been two years since German electronic/jazz collective Tied and Tickled Trio released their fine Electric Avenue Tapes disc, and with good reason. In part, the core rhythm section of brothers Micha and Markus Acher had spent a great deal of time perfecting the sound of their other group the Notwist's last disc, while also recording and performing with separate projects Ms John Soda and Lali Puna.
In returning to the Tied and Tickled Trio fold for Observing Systems, the nucleus of the group's rhythm section (now featuring some great hand percussion) is all the more rock-steady for the group's expanded horn section to play off. The disc's eleven compositions are nothing short of brilliant in the orchestrating, arranging and conducting departments which marry up modern jazz combo horns with thick, live grooves and electronic elements. Four other interesting, electronic-based avant garde-type interludes weave between these tracks. For a recording that features thirteen musicians, the only presence of electric guitar on this disc is the brief, sampled motif which introduces the infectious "Revolution." It launches into a funky syncopation that quickly fills up with reggae keyboard, electronic sounds and a monstrous bass clarinet solo. Distorted hand drums propel the dark, minor sounding "Freakmachine" throughout its six minutes of upshots and a wall of horns that move in small intervals. The peppy upright bass progression on the waltz "3.4.E" is filled out by tuba and various pieces of percussion while beautiful, long-lines horn melodies that feature the flute blend beautifully. The smoky drums and one-note bass figure on the comfortably quirky "Bungalow" keep a relaxed feel during the somewhat elongated jazz standard form for horn melodies, then build in intensity with shakers during the crazy-go-nuts bass clarinet soloing section and subside as the tune winds down. With the addition of a couple of percussionists and more open recording style, Observing Systems, in all of its brass and electronic elements and arrangements, comes off with a generally earthy sound. As it's busting out with big, danceable grooves, it's only a matter of time before the twelve-inch remixes start popping up. 
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