October 7, 2004

{ Hans Karl - Ambient Chair Music }

Thematically, this is perhaps one of the most unique musical endeavors I've ever personally encountered. Inspired by the lush and loungey illustrations of Ragnar, Hans Karl has produced a soundtrack to accompany the artist's "Chairs" series. The album contains ten tracks, each dedicated to a different piece. ( the illustrations are reproduced in the accompanying booklet, so you can "view" and "listen") The music is unobtrusive and subtle, atmospheric instrumental electro-lounge-pop at it's finest. The crisp sound and production of the album complement the very contemporary feel of Ragnar's pieces, and the whole project exudes a classy stylish vibe. The sound ranges from smoldering and sexy to brisk and breath-taking, establishing an increasingly elegant mood. While listening I found myself lulled into a reverie: Coming to, I was surprised to find there was no goblet of merlot in my left hand, no gorgeous vixen sprawled across a Bauhaus recliner before me. I wasn't wearing a velvet smoking jacket OR satin pajamas. The smell of expensive perfume and desire was not, in fact, filling the very air I was breathing. My mind attempted to grasp the fleeting sensation, and it dissipated before me like smoke.... This is not Hans Karl's first foray into soundtracking the art that so inspires him. His other such endeavor, SHAGXOTICA! - New Music Inspired by the Paintings of Shag, captures the classic Esquivel-esque lounge sound one would imagine hearing were a Shag painting come suddenly to life. It's a bit more raw than Ambient Chair Music, but still a whole lot of fun. Both Ambient Chair Music and SHAGXOTICA! are available for purchase in CD format directly from Hans Karl himself, as well as several other avenues of distribution, and you can hear several tracks from each piece on his website. Ambient Chair Music and SHAGXOTICA! both come with a lavishly illustrated 20-page booklet, giving you an opportunity to see the pieces that inspired the music.

» Hans Karl Music
» Ambient Chair Music at Ragnar's littlecartoons.com

By Adam in Music