The above cover for Thomas Fehlmann's new album on powerlabel Kompakt records resembles those of Eno's Ambient recordings. Therefore it comes as no surprise the contents are not only a commissioned work, but include ambience. Berlin 24hr, which you can view for free here, is the longest television program ever made. Gute Luft ("Good Air") is the soundtrack for it. The album is only 70 minutes of kraut-dub minimalism, but it is seemingly made up of infinite pieces, and thus works out for such a large project. Fehlmann's soundscape moves a listener, as it does the progress of the film. By dropping out enitre layers and match even the smallest glitches to a new one, Fehlmann tends to jump about. Some, such as the playful Wasser Im Fluss, begin in a mood and progress to another, Wasser moves to a sudden seriousness with a regimented back beat. Punchy synth creates anticipation on Permanent Touch, Von Oben is a club hit for the non-participant, and Darkspark gears you up for the unknown.
The 6 minute opener Alles, Immer's only inherent characteristic is one swell of static occurring every four bars or so, the remainder is restless, improvised noise which pops, pangs, and pans. Like the cover, Fehlmann has created a sound map for the daily life of Berlin, or any modern city for that matter. Gute Luft is certainly contemplative, the 15 tracks are less songs than they are complete ideas packaged in their own unique ways.
The 6 minute opener Alles, Immer's only inherent characteristic is one swell of static occurring every four bars or so, the remainder is restless, improvised noise which pops, pangs, and pans. Like the cover, Fehlmann has created a sound map for the daily life of Berlin, or any modern city for that matter. Gute Luft is certainly contemplative, the 15 tracks are less songs than they are complete ideas packaged in their own unique ways.
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