Thomas Lehn: feldstarken

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: July 1, 2001

German analogue synthesizer ace, Thomas Lehn pursues subliminal metaphors along with quaintly executed motifs on this 2000 release, titled Feldstarken. Here, the CD cover artwork consisting of block diagrams/circuit schemas and a knob driven soundboard, provides a backdrop for the sonic environment as Lehn transforms seemingly ancient technology into useful vehicles for acute expressionism. With this project, the artist executes a series of freely improvised vignettes and themes, brimming with deftly articulated and altogether perplexing statements.

Lehn manipulates waveforms into abstracts, akin to his recent outing with noted modern jazz drummer, Gerry Hemingway on the wonderful recording, Tom and Gerry. However, his understated approach on this release allows the listener to zoom into a series of fragmented and somewhat rhythmically inclined electronic soundscapes, whereas lucid imagery runs rampant. Essentially, Lehn might be depicting an abundance of unlikely scenarios, yet it is up to the listener’s imaginative powers to decode the riddles of this man’s relatively sophisticated artistic approach. Overall, this effort represents considerably more than your typical minimalist - ambient/electronic style fare.

Random Acoustics

Track Listing: Feldstarke 8; Tableaux 1; Tableaux 2; Feldstarke 1; Feldstarke 3; Feldstarke 6; Feldstarke 2; Feldstarke 5; Feldstark 7; Tableaux 3; Feldstarke 4

Personnel: Thomas Lehn; analogue synthesizer

Record Label: Random Acoustics
Style: Modern Jazz