Maander

Kammerflimmer Kollektief includes: Thomas Weber.
Recorded between 1996 and 1999.
As "Kammerflimmer Kollektief" translated into English refers to a disease causing irregular heartbeats, it's appropriate that many of Maander's 13 tracks chug along at a somewhat irregular pace. That's not say that free-form structures dominate the mix, though, as Thomas Weber has done an outstanding job in balancing focused experimentation with spontaneous dissonance. In fact, Weber has succeeded on nearly all counts in creating a set of cohesive yet entirely distinctive tracks, few of which overstay their welcome. Employing a variety of ambient beats and avant-jazz touches, building textures on top of each other, keeping a steady hand on their intensity, and smothering some in static while allowing others to travel uninterrupted, Weber shows himself a master of manipulating the pristine periphery of his soundscapes. Whether drowning screams in incessant drumbeats ("Rand") or presenting a psychedelic tribal cacophony ("Simultan"), Weber impresses with his ability to keep each track going, avoiding the pitfall of over-reliance on layered drones. Judiciously selected samples, guitars, strings, and synths are ultimately found to be all that is necessary for strangely compelling listening. ~ Matt Fink