Dirty Linen (USA)
#130 June/July ´07
ULMAN Vibes [Heideck/Loewenzahn Germany LC 01955 (2006)]
Vibes is like one gigantic bee buzzing arround your head. That´s actually a good thing, though, and a mark of the progress the German „new folk" quartett of Andreas, Johannes and Till Uhlmann and Uli Stornowski have made in the decade since their last album. The buzz comes in part from the group´s somewhat unusual instrumentation, with its raspy sounds of hurdy-gurdy, accordion, trombone, and drums. (Some violin, viola, flute, and samples are thrown in for good measure.) Chalk up the rest to the lively pace of these instrumentals and the gleeful blending of styles and influences. Though Vibes opens on a fairly bucolic and traditional note with „Farmors Brudpolska" (and closes on one with a hidden track), it really is only a matter of about a half-minute before the band segues into the funky „Filz". From there it´s a small jump to the trip hop flavored „Quann Cy Mûl Mouche", the aptly-titled „Popsong" and a crunchy ULMAN-meets-Zeppelin „Fiddle Execution".
ULMAN goes about its task here with skill and verve, putting everything from classical training to experience as street musicians to self-guided studies of medieval music to work.
Vibes is recommended to anyone who likes their folk music with a bit of a sting to it.
(CHe)