Have you ever received a recommendation for hospitalisation? Just a great sounding advice to go living separated from the normal world. Maybe for a few months having the possibility to find yourself again increative therapy and group sessions. Filling your days with tinkering with clay, paper and music instruments. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I donx92t think you have ever received such an offer. Neither did I and I presume a man like Alfred Ottensteatter is still a sane man in his own way and isnx92t hospitalised somewhere right now.

That is, when we donx92t listen to his music. When we hear the sounds he produced you might think itx92s possible he was hospitalised for a few moments in his life. Itx92s possible and I donx92t mean this with any disrespect, more like a compliment.I found the re-issue of Blumen des Exotischen Eises Karawane der Mystiks on my door mat. My mailman probably didnx92t know what was inside the envelope otherwise the whole story could have a different ending, but I was in luck that day. I found a envelope on the door mat and I discovered the music of Blumen des Exotischen Eises.

In 1986 Alfred Ottensteater released the album Karawane der Mystiks through his label Dead Eye Records in print of 100 vinyl copies. It contained music which originated through spontaneity in playing, different instruments and a lot of overdub. Just a few song where recorded with the help of friends, in all the other Ottensteatter is the one wielding the instruments. Blumen des Exotischen Eises sounds like the world is dumped in an eastern mental institution. A situation preferred above what we where doing before we heard this kind of music. There is no possibility to go back to the normal state of being, for ever youx92ll find yourself in the world resembling the paintings of Adolf Wxf6lffi. The world of a genius, but only reachable by diving completely in to let the genius lead you by hand without questioning. Itx92s a good thing this re-issue is made.

Maybe Karawane der Mystiks isnx92t something a lot of people would appreciate, I even dare to say that most people would run screaming when hearing the music. But whenyoux92re into strange, krautrock-like and improvised music this album is a God, the Godfather of all Improvised Music. Let us bow in itx92s presence.

on Gothtronic