Michael Mayer's "Mantasy" - his first solo studio album in 8 years is out today. A long-awaited, indispensable update of Michael Mayer's production sound and an essential release for KOMPAKT in 2012. AS he himself says: "Mantasy clearly reflects the gazillions of sounds I'm listening to in private, especially my love for soundtracks or soundtrack-like music."

"Mantasy" was designed and painted by Kompakt co-owner Wolfgang Voigt. Available as a deluxe 2 X LP on 180 gram vinyl and available via Kompakt.Fm along with a limited edition silk scarf (while supplies last) and also foldout CD and digitally.

We sat down with Michael to get some more info on the inspirations behind this record. Have a read & view below...

Fernando Magellan

What are the odds finding a German book in a hotel room in on a Cape Verdian island? I ran out of literature so I happily started reading this book, Stefan Zweig's biography of Fernando Magellan. I got literally sucked in after the first pages. Magellan was really badass and unfortunately his story is too long to be told here. Nevertheless, you can check the video for a short introduction and then try to figure out how this book could have influenced my new album. It really did.

Hector Berlioz

We all know that life writes the best stories. I'm wondering if someone ever attempted to make a film about Hector Berlioz. There's some prime drama stuff going on. One of the most romantic stories in music history revolves around Berlioz 'Symphonie Fantastique'. At its time it was the most stunning, bombastic and bold composition known to the world. It was his unanswered love for a famous actress that made him create a symphony that outdid Wagner's most exuberant moments. He needed to become famous so he could meet the woman he desired. Guess what? It worked! He became famous, met her, got married with her and they almost lived happily ever after. Sadly, destiny had much darker plans for them... Anyhow, 'Symphony Fantastique' is exactly what its name promises and it means the world to me.

David Lynch

It's not so difficult to like David Lynch. I've never seen any chain-smoking coffeine junkie with more grandeur. I love everything he did, the movies, the art, the books, the music. Interviews with him are great, too. I'm impatiently waiting for a new movie and for Superpitcher to give me back my 'Inland Empire' DVD. And by the way, autumn is the best season for watching Twin Peaks for the oompth time.

Jimmy Webb

This man is a monster. He wrote nearly every favourite song of mine: MacArthur Park, Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Up, Up and Away and so on... But that's not enough. He's such a hell of a songwriter that he could turn crappy song into gold. I mean, come on... "Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don't think that I can take it, cause it took so long to bake it, and I'll never find that recipe again." How could this line possibly touch your deepest innerself and make you burst out into tears? Well, check this out: