Flanger (music)
Encyclopedia
The Flanger project was founded in 1997 by Uwe Schmidt
(aka Atom Heart) and Bernd Friedmann (aka Burnt Friedman), who have both been active in the music business since the early 1990s. The two musicians met up to program their first album Templates at Mira Musica, Santiago de Chile in 1997. Their musical goal was to generate their own vision of non-repetitive, organic and extremely complex music that is far removed from the well-trodden paths of techno and other established styles of so-called contemporary music.
Templates was released the following year on Ntone
, together with separate 12-inch pressings of several tracks. Clearly electronic, it moved beyond dance or electronic formulas, tapping into the spirit of exploration that characterised jazz
during the ’60s.
The success of this debut album convinced Flanger to do a second LP, which was recorded in Santiago de Chile, in March 1999. Entitled Midnight Sound, this was released on Ntone
November 2000.
Also referred to as Midnight Sounds. Midnight Sounds was the original title (and project name) for this album, but its originally intended label, KIFF SM, shut down before it could be released.
The release of Midnight Sound prompted Uwe Schmidt
and Bernd Friedmann, who are renowned for their very special shows, to consider the idea of live Flanger presentations.
Although their Fall 2001 Tour was recently postponed, they are still planning a series of live appearances around the world.
Since then, they have released four albums, the first two created side by side in Chile
, though for Inner/Outer Space the guide tracks were outlined separately yet finalised together and for 2005’s Spirituals, the biggest change of pace thus far, they did the opposite outlining the tunes together and producing them separately.
On Spirituals, their fourth full length album, they have collaborated with Sydney born Richard Pike aka Riff Jackson III of Pivot
fame (and standin for Ewan McGregor
in Star Wars) and his brother, drummer extraordinaire Laurence Pike aka MF Shakespeare of Triosk
.
In 2007, the Nonplace label release "two in one" reissue of Flanger's first two albums together, called Nuclear Jazz. The only Flanger remix to date - produced in 1999 for the Italian artist Gak Sato - completes this "blistering set of instrumentals that snare both, the intellect and the hips".
Uwe Schmidt
Uwe Schmidt , is a German composer, musician and producer of electronic music. He is often regarded as the father of electrolatino, electrogospel and acitón music.- Career :...
(aka Atom Heart) and Bernd Friedmann (aka Burnt Friedman), who have both been active in the music business since the early 1990s. The two musicians met up to program their first album Templates at Mira Musica, Santiago de Chile in 1997. Their musical goal was to generate their own vision of non-repetitive, organic and extremely complex music that is far removed from the well-trodden paths of techno and other established styles of so-called contemporary music.
Templates was released the following year on Ntone
NTone
NTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
, together with separate 12-inch pressings of several tracks. Clearly electronic, it moved beyond dance or electronic formulas, tapping into the spirit of exploration that characterised jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
during the ’60s.
The success of this debut album convinced Flanger to do a second LP, which was recorded in Santiago de Chile, in March 1999. Entitled Midnight Sound, this was released on Ntone
NTone
NTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
November 2000.
Also referred to as Midnight Sounds. Midnight Sounds was the original title (and project name) for this album, but its originally intended label, KIFF SM, shut down before it could be released.
The release of Midnight Sound prompted Uwe Schmidt
Uwe Schmidt
Uwe Schmidt , is a German composer, musician and producer of electronic music. He is often regarded as the father of electrolatino, electrogospel and acitón music.- Career :...
and Bernd Friedmann, who are renowned for their very special shows, to consider the idea of live Flanger presentations.
Although their Fall 2001 Tour was recently postponed, they are still planning a series of live appearances around the world.
Since then, they have released four albums, the first two created side by side in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, though for Inner/Outer Space the guide tracks were outlined separately yet finalised together and for 2005’s Spirituals, the biggest change of pace thus far, they did the opposite outlining the tunes together and producing them separately.
On Spirituals, their fourth full length album, they have collaborated with Sydney born Richard Pike aka Riff Jackson III of Pivot
Pivot (Australian band)
PVT is an experimental rock band based in London and Sydney.-About:PVT are a 3-piece band based in London and Sydney. They are currently signed to Warp Records. Band members are Richard Pike, Laurence Pike and Dave Miller...
fame (and standin for Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
in Star Wars) and his brother, drummer extraordinaire Laurence Pike aka MF Shakespeare of Triosk
Triosk
Triosk were an experimental jazz band from Sydney, Australia, who formed in 2001 and disbanded in 2007. Though coming from a jazz foundation, their sound has very strong electronica elements as well as influences from the textures of musique concrète, with their use of loops of hisses and...
.
In 2007, the Nonplace label release "two in one" reissue of Flanger's first two albums together, called Nuclear Jazz. The only Flanger remix to date - produced in 1999 for the Italian artist Gak Sato - completes this "blistering set of instrumentals that snare both, the intellect and the hips".
Discography
- Flanger EP (February 1999, NtoneNToneNTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
, Cat. no: NTONE32, 12") - Flanger EP2 (August 1999, NtoneNToneNTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
, Cat. no: NTONE33, 12") - Templates (15 June 1999, NtoneNToneNTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
, Cat. no: NTONECD33, CD) - Midnight Sound (2000, NtoneNToneNTone is a sister imprint to the independent record label, Ninja Tune. The imprint is based in London, United Kingdom and specialises in experimental electronic music...
, Cat. no: NTONECD40, CD) - Inner Spacesuit (8 October 2001, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
, Cat. no: ZEN12105, 12") - Outer Space / Inner Space (2001, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
, Cat. no: ZEN61/ZENCD61, 2xLP/CD) - Spirituals (2005, Nonplace, Cat. no: NON18, CD)
- Nuclear Jazz (Templates/Midnight Sound) (2007, Nonplace, Cat. no: NON21, CD)