- Perhaps best known for his work with John Muder as Penner+Muder, Nils Penner returns to the scene of Munich-Berlin, his solo career highlight, with his second EP for Freerange. That 2012 EP for Jimpster's label showcased a penchant for sophisticated, witching-hour deep house. Wisely, the Bremen-raised producer adopts a similar format here.
Of the two original productions, the lead track is the strongest. A clifftop plunge into deep waters, it makes good use of its potty-mouthed vocal without letting it overwhelm its primary facets—soft hi-hats, a deliciously wonky synth motif and stirring string swells. Pittsburgh Track Authority don't disappoint on their remix of "I Can Be." They throw spitting percussion and a choppy rhythm into the blender, instantly toughening everything up in the process. "State Of Mind" isn't quite as strong as the others but there's still plenty of heat in its plaintive rave piano and grand, trancey keys. Twin this EP with his recent excursion into dark disco for Compost Black Label and Nils Penner sounds inspired.
TracklistA1 I Can Be
B1 I Can Be (Pittsburgh Track Authority Remix)
B2 State Of Mind