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The latest addition to the Ostgut roster, Detroit's Ryan Elliott, is a recognised force on the international DJ circuit – yet his productions are few and far between. Now re-located in Berlin, the new Berghain resident contributed his track “Abatis” to the Fünf anniversary compilation, setting the tone with dark and brooding Techno undercurrents. These two new tracks bring Ryan's production skills to the fore; both slow burning and refined recordings that show off his love for bassline-led, straight forward club tools.
The defined stabs and sinister interiors of “Rocksteady” clearly echo Elliott's US background, with its mechanical undulations and classic, simple arrangement leaving plenty of space to for the listener to interpret and ruminate.
“Steadyrockin” enters more melodic zones as textural backgrounds fluctuate underneath an addictive theme whose intricate dance weaves a satisfying tale of tension and release. Expanding on the free flowing principles of “Rocksteady” its a fresh and promising new chapter for Ryan Elliott.
Listen: Spotify | Apple MusicBuy: Hard Wax | Beatport | iTunes
Berghain resident Norman Nodge offers up his first full EP for Ostgut Ton with three contemplative tracks; expanding and contracting with countless subtleties and enriched with bold artistic license.
“The Happenstance” is an enthused explorations into the many musical zones existing outside of Techno. A warm and fresh embodiment of 80s wave electronica – like a classic Carpenter score – only a few elements are needed for his narrative to shine. The impression of distant melodies exist in purposefully excluded moments of rest, where Nodge uses restrain rather than release to interact with our very perception of the music.
A fuller club cut, “Body To Body” floats into spacious, acidic zones. With the impression of sinking into a disorientating, resonating industrial space, this snaking and hypnotic exercise takes us in a very different yet equally rewarding direction to its sweeter A-side cousin.
An ornate exercise in reduction and challenging timing, “Breakdown” is a slow and measured display of Nodge's unique synthesised visions. This short exploration piece is a brave and gritty suggestion of what's to come next from this talented producer.
Released: 04 April 2011
Chilean born Dinky is a long standing resident at Panorama Bar. Her warm, technical house sound, underpinned by intricate rhythmic and harmonic elements is a much loved staple of the scene.
“Take Me” is a wonderful meeting of thuggish house and soul-infused, feel-good energy. A surprise break leads to unexpected vibes and a brief encounter with some Rhodes keys action.
“Polvo” is a psychedelic ride through more cerebral moments, possessing the power to truly lock you in. The extended passages of this breezy, garage-house hybrid just highlight Dinky's instincts for dramatic timing.
Compiled and mixed by Prosumer whose own productions worship the big old lady that is house music time and time again, the 12-Inch sampler for Panorama Bar 03 could have hardly been better. Hitherto unreleased, the tree tracks on O-TON 47 tick all the boxes that make Prosumer such a unique DJ: House in its various identities.
Soundstore starts the triptych with “Take U”. Greatness and frantic fever visions go hand in hand while hitting the core of Chicago’s second wave: Dance Mania, Cajual, and Relief with siren-like hooks in a feverish delirium. Irresistible. Prosumer’s Panorama Bar fellow Steffi slows down the pace. “Sadness” that surprisingly did not make it on her debut album is not only the opener of the actual Panorama Bar mix, but also a tribute to that kind of ‘Deephouse’ that doesn’t take its prefix lightly. In the end, Berlin’s Hunee teaches you a freestyle lesson. In a similar way to the young Pal Joey, he feeds his sampler a well-known dish, but throws in peculiarity, rascality and deviation to get new results. After all the time, this music is still not getting a bit long in the tooth. Let’s take a love break!
Following Steffi's debut long-player Yours & Mine, the story continues with three special remixes, each re-interpreting a key track, courtesy of Staffan Lindberg, Lone and The Analogue Cops.
Swedish newcomer Staffan Lindberg, already promoter and DJ on the Malmö/Stockholm scene, is a recent favourite of Steffi for his tracky, fresh house sound. This hypnotic, rave-tinged mix of “Yours” weaves an intricate tale for the dancefloor – nothing is rushed as the classic elements have so much room to shine in his fluid arrangement.
Recent R&S signing Lone is becoming well known for his warbling strings, wandering melodies and glistening old school flavours. This remix is no exception and sees him work the Chicago-vibed “Arms” into a magical cosmic future-acid trip.
Berlin based duo The Analogue Cops aka Marieu and Lucretio have brought the house down many a time with their stomping live shows in the capital's clubs and warehouses. Their pumping remix of “You Own My Mind” is tight, middly and uncompromising – a perfect example of the rough, tripped-out house vibe they live and breathe.
Listen: Spotify | Apple MusicBuy: Bandcamp | Hard Wax | Beatport | iTunes
Returning for a fourth EP on the label, Berlin's Nick Höppner continues his exploration into an ever-developing and rich production vocabulary.
The rough goes with the smooth in perfect harmony on “A Peck And Pawn”. Höppner's unique sound design leads to a dense wash of sound sparkling with airy details and his characteristic sub bass subtleties, as the whole track gels together in a pushing modern house triumph.
The spaced out and traveling “She Parked Herself” is a real fusion of the many influences behind the producer's inspiration. Bubbling percussion and pretty melodic structures fuse with a melting analog bassline in this high-tech and positive jam.
With its heavy bass and late-night atmospheres “Swivel Flick” slows the pace in a warm, dubbed and droning thinkpiece that is just as cinematic as it is direct for the club. Jostling just beneath the surface you'll find a wealth of details that really shows off Nick's talent and dedication to a non-standard groove.
Listen: Apple MusicBuy: Hard Wax | Beatport | iTunes
Berghain's Marcel Fengler presents the fifth installment in the club's expanding mix series. Fengler has proved filling floors doesn't have to be about ticking boxes. The versatile mix is a perfect example of the type of dexterity, sensitivity and scope he possesses as a DJ. These same attributes can be found in the work of the producers featured on this 12'' sampler.
A similarly dedicated DJ and producer, Peter Van Hoesen's incredible “Axis Mundi” is a real modern opus. Hoesen's rich synth warblings and deep bass elements could raise hairs you'd never even discovered before…
Talented duo Reagenz aka Move D and Jonah Sharp have had a productive year, and their exclusive track, “The Labyrinth”, proves just that. Leading us into a psychedelic dance of Funk, Dub and abstraction, this slow burning jam fits perfectly in the later stages of Fengler's mix.
The mysterious Vril is behind the dirty, dusty releases appearing on the Staub series from Geigling. “UV” follows that convention in a pounding, searing filtered techno tool that explores many zones over its powerful 10 minute reign.
One of the founding members of the Ostgut Ton family, Marcel Dettmann recorded his debut 12'' for the label alongside Ben Klock with Dawning some five years ago. Now after a string of highly praised releases, his debut album Dettmann, and a handful of uncompromising records on his own MDR label, we arrive at this new EP for his home label.
Launching us into the space-race, “Barrier” documents those tense moments of discovery as we reach into new territories. Dettmann's unique textured sound design sets the scene before diving into “Translation One” – a frantic, quivering and snaking snapshot into the kind of Techno the producer stands for these days. Metallic bass spins sideways, while ever-modulating percussion drives forward.
The sinister sci-fi tones of “Translation Two” warble and jive in glorious syncopation as a systematic heavy kick and hat program works the bass frequencies and rhythmic zones. Open and spacious, its meandering theme hangs deliciously between paranoia and positivity.
In “Planning” Dettmann further explores his inclination for intricate, tripping synth patterns. A staggered, wonderfully immersive theme builds from delayed staccato notes in a classic analog sequence, underpinned by rumbling dub bass pressure.
