Boozoo Bajou

With a name as floppy as a bean-bag chair, Nuernberg, Germany's Boozoo Bajou make no bones about their laid-back inclinations. Early singles "Night Over Manaus" and "Under My Sensi" cemented their brand of idealized tropicalism with their mixture of dub rhythms and Brazilian flourishes laid over brooding acid jazz, while a popular remix for Tosca's "Chocolate Elvis" helped them become fixtures on the downbeat scene. Their debut LP, Satta, may not have become a household fixture, but its impact was felt, seeding tracks for commercials, television series and upwards of 140 compilations, according to the band. The duo turned its hand to the mix CD in 2003, releasing Juke Joint, which was followed by a second installment three years later; both mixes showcased a blend of soul, reggae and vintage electronica -- an eclecticism that would come to fruition in 2009's Grains. Inspired by the Laurel Canyon folk singers of the '70s, Boozoo Bajou turned their attention to acoustic instruments and old-school studio treatments, crafting a warm, rewarding collection of roots-minded soul.