NILS FRAHM Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Current scene favourite Nils Frahm teamed up with Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Olafur Arnalds on three breath taking excursions through lush ambient textures on "Stare" as a surprise release back in 2012 for label founder Robert Rath. "A1" features Frahm's entrancing irresistible melody over some gorgeous all-consuming strings and glacial soundscapes courtesy of Arnalds. "A2" with its heavenly, transcendental beauty has just got to be heard while "B1" explores darker territory with its excavating soundscapes accompanying the most hauntingly delicate cello notes. Exquisite!

Review: On their two previous collaborative albums, F.S Bluum and Nils Frahm delivered carefully considered sets, immaculately pieced together in the studio, that joined the dots between jazz, modern classical, folk and ambient. Here, they explore similar musical pastures, but this time the tracks were wholly improvised using a small array of instruments and effects units (piano, harmonium, guitar and delays, for the most part). While their evocative, soft touch approach remains in tact, there's a rough-round-the-edges feel to proceedings that's hugely enticing. When they really nail it - as on the heart-breaking "Valentine My Funny" and quietly contemplative "Day One Four" - the results are sublime.