N.Y. LOUNGE
V.A.
Black Flame 88062
The idea of this compilation is based on the idea the photographs of the German photographer Horst Hamann, now living in New York, to support acoustically (photo book „New York vertical“ and „Horst Hamann : New York“).
Hamann, being a lover of music and well informed about the music scene in New York, is initiator of the project together with Blue Flame. The compilation reflects the pulse of the city and is to underline the photographs of New York. „N.Y. Lounge“ is trend music cool lounge on one hand, Jazz, Rap and soulful voices on the other from bands like DEPHAZZ, Men with Style, DJ DMD, Lisa Shaw etc. The track „Absolute H.“, a song written by Horst Hamann is a homage to the district East Village/Down Town, which he describes also in his small city guide „Absolute New York“.
The selection of music is inparticularly based on tracks, that have not been used too often on compilations rarities waiting to be discovered like a trip through New York. The photographs from Horst Hamann, printed in the booklet, round up the multicultural facets, the city has to offer.
In Fall 2001 (International Book Fair), Horst Hamann introduced his second New York photo volume „Horst Hamann : New York.”
Absolute New York: N. Y. Lounge
Born in Germany, Horst Hamann first visited New York in 1979, in what turned out to be a formative experience. The City became his favorite photographic subject. Revered for his innovative vision he has become the photographer of choice for a number of prestigious clients such as American Express, Kodak and Sony to name a few.
Hamann has spent the last 20 years being a citizen of the world, dividing his time between his native country, Paris and New York. His photographic travels have taken him to more than sixty countries, which are well documented in international publications and exhibitions. Hamann’s best selling photobooks have also contributed to his reputation as a multi-faceted photographer. Stark black and white compositions have become a signature of Hamann’s work, and he has gone on to develop his own visual language with his panoramic verticals.
Over the last decade, Horst Hamann has spent much of his time photographing New York City. This labor of love, a body of work compiled in his book, New York Vertical, captures a unique yet quintessential vision of the American metropolis. For this successful project he was honored with the sought after Kodak Photobook Award in 1996 and the Photo Design Gold Award in 1999. Hamann’s unconventional photographs of the city have been exhibited in a one-man-show at the Museum of the City of New York in 1999.