HIMMELAYA – Lost Horizon – review – Krautrock / Kosmische 

HIMMELAYA – Lost Horizon – review
Fruits de Mer

I do like an extravagant gesture. And this enormous project is certainly that.

It’s a ridiculously large project taking in two LPs and a bonus double CD of extra tracks, alternative mixes and remixes that comes with every set. It’s been a long time in arriving, given the scale and the number of musicians spread across the world, who are involved.

The brainchild of Swordfish from Astralasia and Jochen Oberlack, Swordfish said “initially it was going to be a purely instrumental project, but more like classic era Ash Ra Tempel with Rosi from the 70s, something a little bit more. Britt Rönnholm from the Swedish duo Us and Them (also Fruits de Mer Records regulars) was suggested to provide spoken vocals; it was well out of her normal comfort zone, but we both loved her voice, so it was all systems go.”

And it’s pretty much what he aimed for. Krautrock rhythms, industrial synth work and ethereal spoken word, making for a splendid listen. Heck, there’s even a song called ‘Autobahn to Dusseldorf’. The clue’s in the name, people. The core trio of Swordfish, Britt Rönnholm, and Pete Pracownik* (who died shortly after recording was complete) have done a remarkable job at honouring, as well as expanding upon the core seventies sound.

*as well as Astralasia, he recorded with Twink, Judy Dyble, The Chemistry Set and more. He was also an incredibly talented artist with numerous album covers to his name. Read more about him here.

Back to the music and there’s nary a bum note here. For sure, some of it meanders towards the ambient but it never becomes dull. In fact, two of the most striking numbers – ‘Ashra Shirley’ and ‘Celestial Orb’ teeter dangerously on that edge but come out fighting and seize the day. They’re astonishingly good. If you like some Neu! or some Tangerine Dream, then there’s a reasonable chance this sort of thing will make you moist.

Over on the CDs there are a host of remixes from the likes of nick nicely, Schizo Fun Addict and the Lost Stoned Pandas, none of which improve upon the main record but they do add to the aural experience.

https://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/himmelaya.html