Burkhard Mahler

Berkhard Mahler is a composer, producer and musician working from Munich, Germany. He composes in a wide range of genres including contemporary classical and music for film, tv and commercial spots. We will hear his 4th movement from his Rabengold Symphony which describes “a scenario on earth, if there would be a paradise for men.” Sounds like the Mahler thought process for their compositions still continues down the family line. - CMD

CD REVIEW:



Germany’s Burkhard Mahler releases his latest CD entitled Chaos & Harmony in 2011. This is not his first release and Mahler is no stranger to the music business having released several amazing works over the years, thus having established an impressive cult fan base in Europe and abroad.



The CD kicks things off with “Dreammachine 1” a dynamic intro piece that’s serves up hypnotic techno groove against impressive layers of melody and mesmerizing vocal textures that lunge at you from every which direction. Track 2 “Aint Playin” delivers yet another impressive techo-type flow with its thick as a brick rhythm section, nice horn & Hammond Organ accents and cutting edge vocal delivery. Track 3 “Jazzpin for guitars and Piano” shifts gears a bit with it’s smooth as silk Spanish type melody, deep in the pocket groove and impressive solo guitar licks & percussive accents. The music itself has a vibe reminiscent to Deep Forest or Enigma with a nice European flair to it. All songs just flow with sonic grooves, sound effects and catchy vocal accents. Mahler brings to the table 3 vocalists here – Pauline Ndito (Africa) NewSence (USA) Korrupt Dialect (UK). The vocal styles push hard with Americana rap flows that blend with the music well. Mahler’s writing style is melodic, warm, and enjoyable. As this CD slowly unfolds its obvious Mahler’s music has everything you would expect from an Ambient production. The musical presents touches of horns, organ, percussive accents, well placed flutes, keyboard accents, guitar and vocals that are well placed and effective within the context of the mix. You will discover rich ambience everywhere, coupled with many passionate melodies all gently taking you by the hand and leading you on journey. Some hit hard others will suck you in like a drug. From infectious “Goin On” and “Ferrari” to mesmerizing “Film Score 1”and Morb Singer” to inviting “Burkhard’s piano” to rocking Back 22” this CD has something for just about everyone. There are a few classical gems like “Happy Intro” and “Summernightpiano” that really showcase Mahler’s diversity and playing abilities. The CD ends with Concerto 1 for Piano and Guitars the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber.



It’s fair to say the production is a bit winded overall. A few of the songs pushing 5 minutes will test your attention span. Perhaps the catalogue needs to be trimmed up & shortened somewhat making each piece shorter and sweeter. The mix also lacks dynamic. Looking at the liner notes I don’t really know who the Production Engineers were (Recording, Mixing, Mastering). The mix lacks think bottom end punch and crystal clear high end clarity. As a result the overall production has a lack luster quality to it. The cover art concept isn’t very compatible with the musical presentation as a whole and totally misses the mark for me.



Overall this release from Burkhard Mahler is his most marketable work yet. As the title suggests you will get the perfect balance between Chaos & Harmony. It has some truly impressive moments on it showcasing both worlds. Its strong suit is the rich sonic layering, amazing musical diversity and overall consistency of the music. I did not fail to notice many amazing industrial accents woven deep within the fabric of the music. Mahler displays some brilliant creativity here and has solid instincts when it comes to his production style. Burkhard Mahler is a brilliant composer and if you are a fan of all things ambient you should dive head first into “Chaos and Harmony” as soon as possible. - IMD

New album from Burkhard Mahler unites world of jazz, rock, and electronica

Boundaries, both stylistic and physical, are busted down on the latest album from Burkhard Mahler. A collaboration with saxophonist/guitarist/pianist Peter Schickling, Best of Fusion unites the worlds of jazz, rock & roll, and electronica for a dazzlingly inventive and futuristic hybrid. Furthermore, like the Roger Waters-commandeered Pink Floyd, Mahler and Schickling seem to have lost their anchor to Earth at times, leaping into extraterrestrial regions that only visionary musicians can reach.

The otherworldly adventures that Mahler and Schickling embark upon are perhaps best exemplified by "The Sax Lounge 2." An icy, disembodied female voice asks, "Do you love me, too?" as Schickling's sax breathes in and out of a synthetic cauldron. It's quite a trip and recalls the consciousness-expanding abilities of the most transcendent psychedelic music. "The Sax Lounge 2" is light years ahead of most contemporary jazz; Mahler is clearly seeking to break new ground here while remaining accessible to casual listeners.

Mahler's utilization of his rock inspirations is not as straightforward as other artists who blend the genre with jazz. For example, "The Other Side" is about as otherworldly as music gets with its interstellar guitars and David Bowie-ish vocals. "The Other Side" is one of the key songs on the record in that it openly expresses Mahler's fascination with the unknown.

On a less experimental note, shimmering melodies illuminate the dark beauty of "Nightpiano." It is here where Mahler and Schickling strike the most indelible moment of Best of Fusion as its union of subtly executed piano jazz and futuristic electronic rhythms achieves a heavenly marriage. Best of Fusion doesn't sound like anything else in a clone-drenched jazz market, and it deserves the widest applause. - Robert Sutton

You will be mesmerized by the brilliant collection of Electronic/Virtual Orchestra music on the magnificent album, “Chaos And Harmony,” by Burkhard Mahler. This CD has a fantastic blend of unusual musical styles which Mahler, who is a talented musician, composer, and producer, creatively blends Fusion, Lounge/Ambient, and Contemporary Classical to shape this well crafted album. The opener, “Dreammachine 1,” has a rich musical complexity while the industrial pulses groove with a sweet and dreamy tonality. The songs, “Aint Playin (feat. Korrupt Dialect)” and “Goin On (feat. New Sense)” have a Hip Hop rhythmic groove that flows with a magical style. “Bach 22” is finely orchestrated song that has a Classical tonality and is splashed with gripping guitar hooks. If you are looking for an album that has a mix of artistic musical styles, then the superb CD, “Chaos And Harmony,” is just what you need to hear. - Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team

Based in Germany, Burkhard Mahler releases his album “Fusion White Classics”, a 74 minute jazz/fusion CD that combines analog and electronic sounds in a fluid, easy flowing manner. In the past 10 years, Mahler has released a total of 18 albums to date, all in the same fusion/jazz/ambient style.

In a traditional jazz style, Burkhard Mahler’s music is complex and evolving. With intricate, driving beats in songs like “Saxophone Beat” and “Wild Strings”, the complexity starts to really stand out. What Mahler does impressively well is deliver layered, evolving electronic textures over a wide range of analog instruments. In “Orchestre de Saint Jean”, you can hear a complete orchestra of instruments, but none of them are playing in a traditional style. Fusion is most definitely the word to sum up the album, at its core. “Morrisons Belle” has Mahler implementing vocals over his traditional sound to an effective end. I have heard many jazz musicians rely on their one signature sound that they feel that they can create a track with just that sound. What Mahler does here is taking what would be a signature sound and layer it, and layer it, and layer it until it all blends together in a beautiful, warm and inviting harmony.

On the other side of the coin though, sometimes the intricacies of his complexity stand in the way of a smooth vibe. In the song “Spanish Electro”, the pace and rhythm of the drums drive a more salsa feel, but the classical Spanish guitar style of playing set a much slower pace. The electronic backing is present but also flows with the same salsa style and not the guitar playing. On a warmer, slower paced background, it could have been a moving, introspective piece nothing short of greatness. Although there are other times where the layers and sounds may clash, it is usually always brief and did not hurt the songs in any way. Another thing was that I really wanted to see a front cover on this album and not just a business card. For once, I was intrigued at the prospect of what type of art could reflect this kind of music.

In closing, Burkhard Mahler’s “Fusion White Classics” is an example how music can be a complicated thing. The layering, evolving textures underneath traditional jazz style instrument playing create soundscapes that paint a unique and, at times, wonderful picture of harmony and melody. I am inspired to listen to the 17 other albums by Mahler and look forward to them and future albums with welcomed anticipation.

Zack Kiley - IMD