Pablo Mateo ‎- Dekalog

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  • Frankfurt was once a key outpost for the strange end of minimal house and techno. Playhouse, Klang Elektronik, Ongaku Musik and Perlon are among the long list of influential labels in this style that were founded there. Some time ago, however, the sound of many Frankfurt producers shifted away from heady, stripped-back music. While some Frankfurt-Offenbach artists like Sascha Dive, Marcus Fix and Christian Burkhardt keep things loopy, a crew connected to Robert-Johnson, the area's most visible club, have taken a more maximalist and melodic approach. A key player at Robert-Johnson is Oliver Hafenbauer, the club's musical director. With his label side project Die Orakel, he's been exploring a colourful house sound that's not far removed from other Frankfurt-area labels like Running Back and Live At Robert Johnson (which Bauer also manages). Die Orakel's fourth 12-inch is its best yet. Helmed by Pablo Mateo, Dekalog shows exactly what's so good about the thumping, emotional dance music Die Orakel specialises in. That said, "Finalcut" is the only obvious dance floor track here. On it, layers of Roman Flügel-esque synth melodies are matched with slamming drums and a big bassline. Hazier tones see out the EP. "Marissa" is slow and dubby, while the ambitious 11-minute "Xyzzl" occupies the entire B-side. The latter sounds like Mark Ernestus crossed with Running Back, and it's a brilliant conclusion to a great EP.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Finalcut A2 Marisa B1 Xyzzl
RA