- A thorough exploration of classic '90s house from the US East Coast with modern-day sensibilities.
- Ali Berger approaches music-making like a method actor taking on a new role. The Pittsburgh-based artist is studious and meticulous, examining every beat and note through a lens of music history, trends, diverse themes (one record was inspired by the Sun's "rain-like loops of plasma") and his own intentions. Most of his releases are cut from live sessions performed on his array of analogue synthesisers, drum machines and other instruments, but even when improvising, his attention to detail hardly falters. The Ghostly affiliate is constantly learning, absorbing and creating—just look at his label, Trackland Acid Dealerships Of Skillman, New Jersey, where he releases on a near monthly basis.
This diligent attitude is on full display across his series of records dedicated to the early days of deep house from New York and his hometown of New Jersey. In the '80s, the Garden State developed a R&B and gospel-inspired take on house music known as the Jersey sound (not to be confused with Jersey club, which came later). Berger isn't imitating this style but respectfully learning from it, adding his own subtle touches—like a tinge of electro—or alien-sounding warped effects.
"DEDICATED" (To The Lower East Side Of Manhattan And North Jersey) is the fourth instalment in the series, put together from a practice session for a 2019 live set. As explained in the liner notes, Berger was particularly inspired by the early '90s productions of Mateo & Matos on Final Cut, the Burrell Brothers on Nu Groove and Roger S on Strictly Rhythm. The seven cuts on here reference the twilit, soulful mood of that period with their long, leisurely pacing and silky tones, bolstered by Berger's modern-day sensibilities and his love for deep house icon DJ Sprinkles.
On opener "Set It (Club Edit)," classic house comes wrapped in ravey undertones. Sultry synths, a loose melody and yearning vocals give the feel of a smoky lounge, while a rippling undercurrent of squelchy acid adds a welcome dose of industrial grit. It's the kind of moody gem that could both start and end nights. On "Flute Crash," woodwind samples and stuttering drum loops bring to mind the heaving rhythms of amapiano. Berger's personality shines through playful synth bleeps and bursts of an ominous, sci-fi melody that nods to his understanding of Detroit techno.
The retro-leaning "Snap Rotation" also references the Motor City (where Berger once lived) through cold kick drums and glossy, futuristic production. Balancing out that toughness is cascading piano, airy flutes and vintage synth lines that sound like organs, underlining gospel's influence on Jersey house. Other tracks are more traditional. "Lange Change," centred around lustrous piano notes, glistening synths and a languid bassline, veers towards the jazzier side of deep house. "Thoughts & Echoes" is a slow-burner, clocking in at nine minutes. It starts off on a brooding tip but once the tinkling keys kick in, the energy shifts from mystical to funky.
Commenting on the early '90s, Berger says in the liner notes that "there's no substitute for the depth and melancholy of this short period and the mind-blowing contradictions of the production." That may be true, but his reinterpretation certainly comes close, balancing the delicate, lightweight atmosphere of those spiritual sounds with club-ready production. Berger's jams might be five years old but just like those '90s cuts, they feel timeless.
Tracklist01.Set It (Club Edit)
02. Lane Change
03. Flute Crash
04. Thoughts & Echoes
05. Snap Rotation
06. The Question (Live Version)
07. Set It (Original Take)