"Ah, 1986... I still recall discovering a local FM station broadcasting out of Santa Cruz (I live in the SF Bay Area, over the hill from that mecca of wonderful weirdness) that presented itself as "KLRS", (KLRS = "colors", get it?) the "soundtrack for a new age". Cute. But the music was often just so fresh and new and original. Windham Hill's adventurous repertoire was tame stuff compared to what the program director for KLRS dug up... It was a golden age, as well as a new age, and KLRS, 99.7-FM played it all. David Arkenstone's first CD, lots of Novus and Narada, lots of odd and eccentric and never-dull stuff. Even that silly anthem "Calling All Angels" which I tried to hate but got quite used to...
But at the top was Friedemann and this disc. Well, it was a tape at the time, but I wore it out. Loved it, love it and not because it's a soundtrack or a memory catalyst, but because I never ever hear it the same way. It's a collection of tunes well organized, well arranged and so full of feeling. It's simple, but so's a sunset. So's dawn. So's a meadow. Good stuff, just the cream of New Age. His other discs, "Aquamarine" and "Beltane" were a disappointment, but Friedemann, a gifted producer as well as musician, has earned his place in the pantheon of 80s new age masters.
By the way, I always played side 2 of the tape first, then played side 1, ending with "Indian Summer". Too bad I can't do that with the CD. Life's tough."
RefinedInspiringThoughtfulRelaxingEarthyPrimalSexy Music
W. G. Jones | The Heart of Georgia | 12/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is all these and more. What an album! I'm *NOT* a New Ager (no offense at all intended to those who are) but I listen to a wide variety of music from across the entire spectrum, and this is still one of my favorite albums of all time!! If you have the chance to get it, DO SO! Friedemann's work here shows musical GENIUS in my opinion."
Rare and Unique.
W. G. Jones | 04/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard the works of this German musician about 10 years ago. I was just beginning to experience New Age music, and was an instant fan. Through these ten years, this alblum has remained my all time favorite. There seems to be something magical about it. Sadly, I have never seen another composition by Friedemann. It is now hard to find, so I recently bought another copy so I would always have a spare."
Finest New Age album...
Tigran Haas | Stockholm, Sweden | 08/28/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Indian Summer was a wonder when it came out and has defined something special...it is probably one of the finest albums in the genre ever produced...The artist made great stuff after this but never as on this unique effort...sublime, precise, eclectic and original and done to pure perfection...a true gem that will never be replicated...The German version on BIBER records has 2 different songs and the other songs have a slightly modified interpretation. It's worth having both! BUY THIS NOW!!!"