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German born BW Recknagel, a London resident since 1992, has a non-classical story to tell - a tale of dodging and defying convention, which inevitably led to the outing of a composer and his first recording. Raised by a musical family, he grew up with classical music and trained in classical piano and guitar for more than 14 years. Exploring and making music from all genres has always been his passion and the rather uninspired landscape of his German hometown Dortmund led to the move to London, a leap in the dark but it was about being in the right place at the right time - his own private Hacienda. He soon teamed up with 80's producer Zeus B Held (Transvision Vamp, Men Without Hats, John Foxx) and became his in-house studio engineer at VoiceVersa Studio, at the heart of London's music metropolis in Portobello Rd. For the years to come, the studio turned into one of the most vibrant places during the Brit Pop/Dance Mania era. His new collaboration with Cult Journalist Kris Needs made him remix more than 40 Top UK artists including Primal Scream, St.Etienne, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) Malcolm MacLaren, The Prodigy - to name but a few. His own instrumental chillout work under the name Headman/Full Moon Fashions was also spotted by Billy MacKenzie of critically acclaimed The Associates fame and he staged his comeback single Loom feat. Billy MacKenzie "Anacostia Bay At The Edge Of The World", sung over one of BW Recknagel's original Teutonic instrumental tracks. Still, the years 1992 to 2000 were anything but classical. BW's life was a nonstop mixture of dance culture hedonism - think chemically influenced creativity for the 90s, detox units, rehab and production work all in the mix. In a productive haze and with the energy of five, he founded Millennium Records Ltd., (a dance imprint still active now with distribution in 20 countries) so becoming a music mogul was a natural progression. His move back to his classical roots was more accidental. "I haven't touched or listened to classical music in 10 years and simply hearing a piece in a cab pushed a button and I haven't looked back since." He saw and experienced the seedy underbelly of London living for 17 years and like an avid voyeur, took in everything - these were times about being on the outside-being-in. In the latter 5 years composing was about bringing light to the darkness - pure and intense fun for him so he never envisaged going public with his private ecstasies. Pressure from friends made him focus in 2008 and the result is the mesmorizing 2009 debut of "Nhilium", a 10 track album of sheer emotional bliss - this man has stories to tell! BW Recknagel is a natural talent with an incredible set of ears making him a promising classical composer of present times. His compositions have a catchy feel to it, supported by strong themes and harmonic coloring - this is pure, dark romanticism with a commercial edge and with the potential of inviting a wider audience. From September 1st 2009, the sheet music of all 10 pieces will be included in the download of the Album as a free giveaway. |
