Schlechte Vorbilder EP - Betrieb : 11th Hour Technology

Fans of Perlon, Playhouse and anything House / Techno that is quirky, jacking and funky beware – Ekkehard Ehlers is back for his second release on the mighty Klang stable! We literally have here four cuts of the finest innovative and forward-looking House / Techno grooves, that are exactly that – groove as well as being clever. The A-side contains my favourite track, ‘Rauchende Mütter’ – a quirky little number with a jacking, almost Chicago groove, an analogue-sounding bass-line and quirky little keys and melodies that flutter in and around brilliant little glitchy fills and breakdowns. Next on this side is the more sinister and more minimal and error laden groove of ‘Kippenberge’ – subtle and definitely draws the listener in as the needle negotiates the various micro-melodies and intricate rhythmic patterns. Progressing onwards and over we are met with ‘Franzosisches Bier’, which like ‘Rauchende Mütter’ heads straight for dancefloor (the ones with brains that is…), all be it with a less jacking groove, opting instead for a massive swing and droning four-note bass-line. Where as most would stop more or less there as far as making music goes, Mr. Ehlers has to add fucked-up, staccato stabs that fly around all over the place, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right... Great! Finally, ‘Acid Jazz’ may give you a hint of what to expect, but only a little one mind you. Sparser, simpler beats and a low growling bass become the stage for little, live-recorded flute and sax lines, and various other little Jazz oddities that come in processed packaging, sometimes distant, sometimes prominent. Great modern music for home and club pleasure.

Betrieb - Schlechte Vorbilder EP (Klang Electronik)

Fans of Perlon, Playhouse and anything House / Techno that is quirky, jacking and funky beware – Ekkehard Ehlers is back for his second release on the mighty Klang stable! We literally have here four cuts of the finest innovative and forward-looking House / Techno grooves, that are exactly that – groove as well as being clever. The A-side contains my favourite track, ‘Rauchende Mütter’ – a quirky little number with a jacking, almost Chicago groove, an analogue-sounding bass-line and quirky little keys and melodies that flutter in and around brilliant little glitchy fills and breakdowns. Next on this side is the more sinister and more minimal and error laden groove of ‘Kippenberge’ – subtle and definitely draws the listener in as the needle negotiates the various micro-melodies and intricate rhythmic patterns. Progressing onwards and over we are met with ‘Franzosisches Bier’, which like ‘Rauchende Mütter’ heads straight for dancefloor (the ones with brains that is…), all be it with a less jacking groove, opting instead for a massive swing and droning four-note bass-line. Where as most would stop more or less there as far as making music goes, Mr. Ehlers has to add fucked-up, staccato stabs that fly around all over the place, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right... Great! Finally, ‘Acid Jazz’ may give you a hint of what to expect, but only a little one mind you. Sparser, simpler beats and a low growling bass become the stage for little, live-recorded flute and sax lines, and various other little Jazz oddities that come in processed packaging, sometimes distant, sometimes prominent. Great modern music for home and club pleasure.

Reviewed by: Alex Io	Score: 4/5	Go to the Klang Electronik website.