SELIGPREISUNG

This book of hours devotes its praises for bliss, continuing partly "Hosianna Mantra"'s musical cycles searching spiritual enlightenment, but focusing now to shorter composed hymns, and also directing more towards European classical musical heritage and psychedelic rock jamming. In my opinion this album also lacks some of the group's potential for epic thematic power, but offers still refreshing moment for willing listeners. Florian Fricke sung on this album as Djong Yun was travelling on time of recording, but she would luckily be returning for the following spiritual music sessions. His voice gives slightly darker tone to the overall sound of the album, but I also found it interesting to hear him to sing. I also felt with my poor German abilities that the lyrics create very important theme to the album, a basis for the music to grow.

The first praise starts with melancholic motives, praising the poor souls suffering hunger and thirst. Florian's skillful piano working is quite on surface here, illuminated by graceful guitar slides. Congas and vocal motives introduce a strong African feeling to the composition, which starts to roll on start of drums relaxingly toward more confident future days. This promise of better world is expressed as sensual dance for loving kindness or piety, however this Hebrew concept should be comprehended. Daniel Fichelscher joined playing electric guitar to this album, and his elegant weeps match perfectly to the near-east resembling acoustic flow of steps, supporting Conny Veit's contribution of creating these unbelievably beautifully sensual sounds for expressionistic steps. Fading out, next praises are dedicated for those who now cry, but shall laugh later. Slightly naïve but sincere melodic themes grow convincingly on emotional levels, proving that in addition of creating ambient textures, Florian was also quite good in composing more traditional classic compositions. Really beautiful oboe solo and characteristically patient maneuvers blow again wind for the sails of more dynamic rock enjoyment, finally silencing with fateful piano chords.

The B-side of the LP start with darker motives, yearning growing from minimalistic shapes towards the heavenly reign. The wanderings trough corridors of mythical ancient forms allowing some powerful monolithic sceneries, but does not lead to any very concrete musical culmination point. However some subtle chiming notes promise solace for those who mourn in their songs, opening gates for rejoicing parade of aural kindness existing rich on the repertoire of involved musicians. This song is also tied more strongly to the following praise of gentle souls, who shall inherit the earth. The change is actually quite unnoticeable trough match of notes on piano and guitar. This mantric piano cycle is along with the second song's dancing the high points for me on the record, separating themselves from the certainly pleasant waving displays of spiritual faith, the caressing constant presence which dominates the album. The praises for the pure hearted observed by god starts the end of the album with quiet anticipations, concluding to the powerful melody theme of "Agnus Dei", ascending the steps of faith to the heavens. This theme is also familiar from the forthcoming carpet closer for the impressive movie Cobra Verde by Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski.

These quite interesting religious songs contain the pleasantness of Popol Vuh's musical language, but some parts of the album do not feel to create very solid flow on sonic continuity. On some moments the album left an impression of kind hymns just bunched together, but on some moments, especially on the first side of the album, the songs produce more coherent dramatic experience. Very well considered compositions and beautiful emotions all together, but not in my opinion reaching the potential of intensity Florian and his friends were able to create on the arena of divine musical epochs. An albumful of spiritual kindness for those needing a refreshing praises, and I guess one can abolish a servant of satan or an average secular cool kid from the house by spinning this record on the turntable.