Earlier in his career, Ehlers apparently explored a preoccupation with Schonberg, Cage, techno and house. He's clearly been doing a lot of listening to early blues as of late. Originally written for a Christoph Winkler choreography entitled Lazarus Signs, the music features live musicians on guitar, balafon, trumpet, vocals, harmonica, viola and Ehlers himself on "processing and amps".
Sampled early blues and gospel fragments go up against noisy, buzzing, greasy, instrumental accompaniments and drones. It all works very well. So, too, do the jazz bits on "Die Sorge Geht Über Den Fluss" featuring Joseph Suchy on guitar and Franz Hautzinger on trumpet, and the African sound of "Misorodzi" with vocals and thumb piano. Very nice.
Those who don't mind a little bit of blues in their experimental music will find A Life Without Fear a very enjoyable listen. Recommended.
