01	Wizzard						04:32
	02	Autumn Sun In Cold Water						04:46
	03	Artificial Energy						05:31
	04	Driftin'						03:24
	05	Troja						07:20
	06	1580						05:18
	07	Explorer						04:52
	08	Modimdofre (Pictures) (Sff Live, 1975)						27:43
	09	Dadadam (Sff Live, 1975)						04:49

Schicke, Fuhrs And Frohling – Symphonic Picture
Schicke, Fuhrs And Frohling – Symphonic Picture
Country of Origin: Germany
Format: 2CD
Record Label: Esoteric Recordings
Catalogue #: EREACD1001
Year of Release: 1976/2010
Time: CD1 36:01
CD2 69:26
Info: Schicke, Fuhrs
And Frohling
Samples: Click here

Tracklist:

CD1: Tao (8:37), Solution (2:56), Dialogue (5:33), Sundrops (2:29), Pictures (16:26)

CD2: Tao (9:26), Dialogue (7:20), Gedankenspiel (8:51), Modimdofre [Pictures] (27:43), Prickel Pit (6:02), Ammeroom (5:14), Dadadam (4:50)

Eduard Schicke (drums, percussion, Moog, met allophone, xylophone), Gerd Fuhrs (grand piano, electric piano, Moog, clavinet, mellotron, string ensemble, bassett) and Heinz Frohling (bass, electric guitars, mellotron, clavinet, string ensemble), simply known as Schicke, Fuhrs And Frohling recorded their first album Symphonic Pictures way back in 1976, which has now been re-mastered and released in 2010. The album was originally released on the German Brain record label which in it’s time was very influential, releasing/launching many classic albums especially in this genre. Their products were always well produced and housed with fantastic artwork, which is the case for this release also.

This is an album whose signature sound incorporates space rock, fusion and electronic avant-garde, creating symphonic soundscapes which are very impressive. Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling have a chemistry that bonds all the elements of what they have created together perfectly, almost like ELP, although a differing musical style.

Tao starts the proceedings with its very loose sounding Flower Kings/Transatlantic tones. Fuhrs keyboards are the dominant force throughout this piece with some very eloquent guitar passages and drumming by Schicke which really sets the tone for the rest of the album. The much shorter Solution has a Genesis sounding guitar tone, which runs through the whole album, supporting the ethereal sounding keyboards, sounding very much like a piece from the 1979 Dave Greenslade album The Pentateuch Of The Cosmogony. The track travels the distance but doesn’t really go anywhere as such. Dialogue takes a more aggressive path with its melodic fusion tones reminiscent of Return to Forever in places. Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling have obviously thought long and hard developing the structure for this song with its avant garde keyboard interludes, building rhythms, allowing Frohling’ guitar work to take more of a lead allowing him to interact gracefully with Schicke and Frohling, although as ever the keyboard ensemble is the predominant force. With this track you get the feeling that the boys are trying their hand at producing their version of ELP without it spiralling into an ego trip for each individual, making it a very intelligent built track. Sundrops a very short piece has more of those fantastic melodic electronic keyboard passages, which are very prevalent throughout, being complex and mellotron heavy, the music twisting and turning. Pictures is the grand finale, being a very dark piece, taking a more experimental approach, which is the longest and most challenging piece on the album. The bass work is heavier here, the drum work is allowed to really interact / duel with the supporting cast of electronic buffoonery, courtesy of the keyboards et el. This piece verges on being a classic sounding King Crimson track from the Red or Starless And Bible Black era, which really sets the piece off, and works very well. This is what was fantastic about the prog movement in the 70’s, classy, intelligent and challenging music.

The live disk was recorded in Papenburg, Herbst, Germany in 1975 opening with Tao which is slightly longer, having a piece in progress feel to it as does Modimdofre [Pictures] which over time the band perfected for the album. In the live arena this track has even more soul, sounding heavier with Frohling really coming to the front. Dialogue also travels very much down the same path; the live arena is where these songs were meant to be heard in their full glory. Gedankenspiel being an unreleased track with its pulsating bass lines, dominant keyboard interaction and stunning drum work, coming across as an experimental piece, retaining melody and direction, being both sad and beautiful in its approach. Modimdofre [Pictures] is the show piece landing in at just over twenty seven minutes, ten minutes longer than the album version. This track really shows off the dynamics of the band, moody, atmospheric, dark and challenging. Prickel Pit another unreleased track has a faster metre than Modimdofre [Pictures], with its playful experimental avant garde approach. The band never saw fit to record this track in the studio for some reason. Ammeroom is another venture into the sombre dark world that Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling created which has a beautiful guitar passage weaved through it. Dadadam sadly closes the whole affair having a much sharper, harder sound than the rest of the recordings featured on the live disk.

The down side to Symphonic Pictures is that it’s only a short album; the positive side of this release being that you get a bonus disk of the band live, although the sound production isn’t that great. The album is grand and pompous in approach with its complex and demanding soundtrack soundscapes. This is very much a keyboard driven album, which at times can test the ear. As you would expect though, this German band, as with others within the genre, have produced a defining debut album which I highly recommend. The album has it all, fantastic keyboard work, dark mellotron passages, strong percussion work, deep bass lines and melodic guitar refrains. It’s bombastic without being arrogant and a very good starting point for someone to dip their toe in, which I can assure you, will open other avenues.

Conclusion: 8 out of 10

JOHN O'BOYLE


Schicke, Fuhrs And Frohling – Sunburst
Schicke, Fuhrs And Frohling – Sunburst
Country of Origin: Germany
Format: CD
Record Label: Esoteric Recordings
Catalogue #: EREACD1002
Year of Release: 1977/2010
Time: 35:36
Info: Schicke, Fuhrs
And Frohling
Samples: Click here

Tracklist: Wizzard (4:30), Autumn Sun In Cold Water (4:45), Artificial Energy (5:30), Driftin’ (3:22), Troja (7:19), 1580 (5:18), Explorer (4:52)

Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling recorded their second album Sunburst in 1977, which was the follow up to Symphonic Picture, this time adding another member to the line up, recording the bass parts. The band line up consisted of Eduard Schicke (drums, percussion, moog, met allophone, xylophone), Gerd Fuhrs (grand piano, electric piano, moog, clavinet, mellotron, string ensemble, bassett), Heinz Frohling (electric guitars, mellotron, clavinet, string ensemble) and Eduard Brumund-Ruther (bass).

Usually the second album by a group is normally a difficult affair as they have prepared all their life to record the ultimate first album, this is not so for Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling who rose to the challenged and for me produced a far better album. This album paved the way for Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling to display their love of British style prog as opposed to the German lead synthesizer music, although there are hints of the latter still being present.

Wizzard opens up with a jazz fusion feel not un-similar to Romantic Warrior era Return to Forever, with its playful interaction stopping and starting, featuring some rather good interaction from all involved. The band plays with ease offering real charm with their approach, allowing Frohling and Schicke to really build some powerful soundscapes. Fuhrs keyboard work is less stated for most of the piece but is allowed to come to the front adding dynamics to the piece.

Autumn Sun In Cold Water has the more expected Krautrock feel to it, which moves in the same circles as Tangerine Dream, being much more keyboard oriented than the Wizzard guitar lead piece. This piece just breathes pure elegance in the way that the music is allowed to drive passionately forward.

Artificial Energy moves in the keyboard driven arena with the percussions underpinning the whole piece. The lead breaks from Frohling are nothing but stunning in both there approach and dynamics. This track just oozes melodies and spacey passages to die for.

Driftin’ sees the return of the jazz fusion approach; keyboard and bass melodies interact offering musical patterns, ebbing and flowing, having an almost hypnotic feel.

Troja is my favourite piece by Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling with its driving melody sounding vaguely like ELP, featuring echo drums underpinned by romantic mellotron sounds. Frohling’ guitar work makes its presence felt with his driving and dramatic melodic changes throughout.

1580 offers some stunning interaction between Fuhrs and Frohling, weaving their instrumental passages together, utilisation jazz fusion patterns, something that they band have put to good use. Brumund-Ruther bass patterns offer real support and foundation for the piece on a whole.

Explorer is unique in its approach to the rest of the pieces on the album, with its melodic synth and keyboard approach, which grabbed my attention straight away. Again we see the band playing their version of Krautrock, in the realms of Tangerine Dream. This along with Troja, are the outstanding tracks, which ooze elegance and class.

With Sunburst Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling developed into a four piece and moved away from the avant garde / experimental approach that featured in their Symphonic Pictures album, utilising more melodic structures. This has added real depth and soul to the band.

I quoted Symphonic Pictures album as, "The album has it all, fantastic keyboard work, dark mellotron passages, strong percussion work, deep bass lines and melodic guitar refrains. It’s bombastic without being arrogant".

Well this album is both bombastic and arrogant, make no doubt about it. It is a more polished product, its musical prowess is unbelievable, which mustn’t have been easy as Symphonic Pictures was by no means a poor album, but you the get the feeling that the inclusion of the forth member allowed them to develop. This is an album you don’t really want to miss out on, a second time round.

Conclusion: 8.5 out of 10

JOHN O'BOYLE