Avant Music News

From A-Musik:

LEHN/MARCUS SCHMICKLER, THOMAS: Kölner Kranz
“Kölner Kranz sees a return to a thick molasses of digital smears welded to an ever-present system that unfolds over a staggering 36 minutes which, despite its sheer length, never rests. This music is really quite dense and difficult, heavy on detailing and spontaneity, which means that listening to these tracks takes some effort to get through. Left/right tones cascade in waves over bitmapped crackles as Lehn and Schmickler add layer after layer of events into a seductive audio landscape. Bewilderingly acute and brilliantly played, this release is compulsory listening for those interested in the state of modern electronics.” Vinyl-only release, limited to 300 copies.

BRILLOWSKA & FELIX KUBIN, MARIOLA: H.O.N.D.
House Of National Dog. “The first joint release of Hamburg-based all-around artists Felix Kubin (music, sounds) and Mariola Brillowska (lyrics, vocals). For Brillowska’s 2006 theatre play of the same title, Kubin composed a soundtrack in order to mess up this infamous musical by twirling colorful little building bricks around in it. This then became an album in its own right, where constructivist orchestra- and plunderphonics-collages meet Gameboy-disco while melancholy-laden chansons rub against Weill/Eisler-like hymns.”

LEHN/MARCUS SCHMICKLER, THOMAS: Navigation Im Hypertext
“Lehn and Schmickler ‘s 1st recording BART is considered one of the best synth improv albums ever made. Since BART, dating back to 2000, the duo has toured frequently through Europe, Japan and the USA.This double-release features some of the best performances the duo recorded over the course of 15 live concerts. A brilliant amalgam of the two musicians’ strengths, Navigation Im Hypertext utilizes both improvisation and studio post-production techniques to create a lasting work, combining the feel of a classic composed electronic music record with the raw, crackling energy of a free improv-session. Exciting and destabilizing, Navigation Im Hypertext will surprise even the most hardcore Lehn fan: intertwined with Schmickler’s, his art never sounded this rich. If anything, Navigation Im Hypertext takes electronic improvisation one step further. The arrangements range in tone from softer clusters of sound to more abrasive movements. Comes in digipack, CD-only release.”