Album: FB02
Author: Massimo Ricci
Publication: TOUCHING EXTREMES (source)
Date: 08/31/2006

The IFORMM is a "unique electric instrument" whose scale is tuned to 768 frequencies-per-octave (so much for the so-called "genial" Western temperament). Frank Rothkamm could well use it for expanding the harmonic consciousness of the poor ones who consider a Mozart cadenza an exciting sensation.

Let's leave joking aside, though, since this is seriously complex electronic music, whose fascination resides in its significant dissonance vs enjoyability fight.

In little more of 33 minutes we're treated with impressive multicolour shapes that hover around without giving the chance of being analyzed before they change, which happens non-stop. A constantly shifting mosaic of gracious timbral layers that could work wonders for pillheads trying to lose their addiction, "FB02" puts Rothkamm right there with the Spiegels and the Subotnicks, all the while maintaining a degree of accessibility for whoever wants to change their way of perceiving sound shades, at least for half an hour.

On a final consideration, I still have to understand if the five-note sequence of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" casually heard in the title track is a quote or an accident. Frank?

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