Thomas Fehlmann, good fridge. "Flowing: ninezeronineight" R + S Records AMB 8951CD 1998 (65:34)
Superfrühstück (4:26)
Hermosa (5:34)
Zauberwort (3:37)
Banda (i.a.o.o.l) (1:46)
Baratti (3:27)
Unisize (:49)
6ix Days (3:07)
Kirsche (1:04)
Wee Wee Mademoiselle (3:12)
Globus (2:48)
Sangita Rana (4:44)
Cuddle (3:51)
Teufel (3:16)
Face the Day (4:09)
Kufi & Nashi (1:23)
Speedo (2:22)
Lüster (4:05)
Snake Salvador (3:10)
Dingo (4:21)
Schizophrenia (4:33)
Thomas Fehlmann (writing/mixing/production) with Alex Patterson (7, 13), Tom Thiel and Max Loderbauer (18) and Moritz von Oswald (20)
Overall impression: very good. Thomas Fehlmann has been a part of the electronic music scene for 20 years now and is probably best known for his collaborative efforts with The Orb and mixing/production of Sun Electric. "Flowing .." collects 20 short but sweet solo tracks recorded between 1990 and 1998. Not surprisingly, the music is what you'd expect: lush, flowing, ambient techno. Fehlmann's work shares the same characteristics as that of the Orb and Sun Electric, as well as the subtle yet deep minimalism of Berlin's Chain Reaction label (indeed ... he's joined by Alex Patterson of the Orb on 2 tracks, Tom Theil and Max Loderbauer of Sun Electric on a track and Moritz von Oswald of Maurizio on a track). "Flowing" is bright and cheerful, more 'techno' than dub ... pulsating bass lines, schizophrenic percussion, melodic ambient pads and atmospheres interweaving in and out, the occasional wacky dialogue sample (an Orb trademark) and ambient, beat-less sections ... the tempos range from slow-mo to a frenzied, thumping dance-floor pace. Despite the brevity of the tracks the flow is well maintained since there are no breaks in between tracks, they are either pushed back to back or linked by short musical interlude tracks. I find it difficult to believe that some of these tracks were recorded as far back as 1990 ... every track is solid and none sound dated to my ears. The artwork by The Designers Republic is sharp ... the front and back covers feature minimal drawings on an engaging pastel green background and the 10 page booklet contains brightly colored abstract drawings. A fine piece of art through and through, sonically and visually. The cd is an import, so it cost me a little more than usual ($17.50) but was most definitely worth it ...
Thomas Fehlman at R+S
Records
The Designers Republic
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Rioux's Records. Email Jason.