Label: arbitrary

デンマークはコンペンハーゲンより毎度興味深い音源を届けてくれるMads Emil Nielsen主宰のレーベルarbitrary。エキゾ・サウンドコラージュ/ループの天才Andrew Pekler、Faiticheのオーナーを務めるベテラン音楽家Jan Jelinekと共にユニット"Groupshow"の一員として活動、主に古典ミニマルやダンスミュージックの研究より生み出した軽快な反復音源を発表しているHanno Leichtmann。氏が2022年に始動した新変名Chromacolorの1stソロLP。とにかく今までで最もシンプル且つアンビエント寄りに仕上げられた浮遊感の強い作風で、ビブラフォンとフェンダーローズの軽やかな反復に合わせ、女性の単調ボーカルやらサックスを併走。ここまでシンプルに仕上げていながらもグッと引き込む強度は全く衰えていない面白い研究成果。300部限定。





LP (black)
1st edition of 300, incl. download code

»Chromacolor« is one of those records that immediately feels like home even though it is hard to locate stylistically. Written and recorded by Hanno Leichtmann in Berlin and Madeira between 2020 and 2022, it draws on rhythmic minimalism as a guiding principle and might call to mind organic, instrument-based ambient music, but also incorporates jazzy moments as well as Annie Garlids multi-layered vocals that permeate through these nine pieces.

The foundation for Leichtmann’s Chromacolor project was laid when the prolific Berlin-based producer, musician, and drummer borrowed a vibraphone and a Fender Rhodes from two friends. Combining their unique sonic affordances with those of a Guitaret, an electric lamellophone, he further expanded his sound palette by inviting other musicians—Anthea Caddy, Sabine Vogel, Tobias Delius, Els Vandeweyer, Sabine Ercklentz, Andrede, Mike Majkowski, Andrei Ladeishchikov, Oona Farchy, Gonçalo Caboz as well as Rafael and Hugo Andrade—to play small but vital parts in the production of the album.

The opener »Kisses and Wine« masterfully sets the tone for an album that is as inviting as it is challenging. Working with relaxed repetitive rhythms, Garlid’s anthemic vocals and a sprinkle of saxophone and flute tones courtesy of Delius and Vogel, respectively, as well as tender piano notes played by Leichtmann, it evokes a lot with only few means: a certain melancholy, but also an elevated atmosphere that feels both exuberant and restrained.

Leichtmann’s elegant study of the power of repetition, minute rhythmic shifts and subtle use of melodic and harmonic elements creates ambiguities and polyvalences like these throughout the entire record, up until its understated finale, aptly titled »A Beautiful Day«—a drone-jazz piece, if you will, both longing and joyful.

As an album, »Chromacolor« is hard to pigeonhole, but rich and rewarding. All it takes is immersing yourself in it.