Flocks (cd)

Flocks is a new duo formed by drone specialists Werner Durand and Uli Hohmann. Their musical landscapes encompass a wide range of sounds, blending traditional and experimental elements with influences from Krautrock and Jon Hassell's "fourth world" aesthetics.

Werner Durand has established himself with various projects, including collaborations with Dhrupad singer Amelia Cuni. He has participated in Urban Sax, Arnold Dreyblatt, Henning Christiansen, David Behrman, Ellen Fullman, Catherine Christer Hennix, and co-founded The 13th Tribe, Armchair Traveller, and Tonaliens (with Robin Ayward and Hilary Jeffery). Durand has also released numerous solo albums on labels such as Black Truffle, Unseen Worlds, or Edition Telemark. With a background in saxophone and Indian/Persian flutes, Durand, based in Berlin, is highly regarded in the drone scene, known for his self-built wind instruments like buzz-clarinets and PVC neys & horns.

His partner in Flocks, and a long-time personal friend, is Uli Hohmann, whose early exposure to music from Asia, India, and Africa led to studies with the Ghanaian master drummer Mustapha Tetty Addy and later, Tombak and Daf with Nemad Darman (Iran). Hohmann played in several projects that explored the language of classical Persian music and began building his own stringed instruments, drawing from his background as an educated carpenter. In 2014, he joined Durand and Amelia Cuni for the album "Clearing," and in 2018, Durand and Hohmann decided to continue as a duo, giving birth to Flocks.

On their self-titled debut, they craft drone-infused soundscapes using their self-built wind and stringed instruments, Persian percussion, and subtle electronics. They also draw inspiration from Krautrock, evident in the irresistible, hypnotic groove of "Quicksand," as well as Jon Hassell's "fourth world" aesthetics. This places the duo comfortably between tradition and experimentation in their musical explorations.