nick hoppner: panorama bar 04

This is the fourth mix CD from Ostgut Ton commemorating Berlin's legendary Panorama Bar. Nick Höppner starts as deep as he means to go with a new exclusive track by Jon McMillion. The smooth, half-whispered vocals and distorted synths, layered with experimental and classic elements are followed by the dreamy "Lament For A Dead Computer Part 1," a Charles Webster production. The tension builds with "Way Out" by Fabrizio Mammarella and is perfectly picked up by another unreleased track, this time a deep, dubby techno/house hybrid by Matthew Styles. Chateau Flight's "Welcome" with vocals by Osunlade is one of these undiscovered house gems that make Nick's sets so exceptionally enjoyable, and he moves on with the melodic house of DJ Gregory's "Attend 1." A new track by The Mole changes the focus a little; the funky bassline is the key here, and it is quickly followed by the deep groove of "Alfa" by Quince. Manoo's track "Abyss" builds the tension before the minimal funk of "Fixation" produced by Morgan Geist introduces another shade to Nick Höppner's palette of sounds. The somber mood of K.Lakizz's remix for Carsten Jost fits in perfectly and is followed by an unexpected track by Whirlpool Productions from 1996 -- a rough, shuffling timeless house groove, as simple as it is good. Back in U.S. territory, Swan's "Can You Rock To This?" delivers a funky synth, vocal and house groove built for the floor. With the next track, Höppner introduces a slightly darker shade with "Pimping People In High Places" -- Gary Martin's jacking production creates a perfect bridge towards the more leftfield "Emotional Blackmail" by Dez Williams and the tough yet uplifting "X7D" by Dexter, another unreleased track. Americhord's "Midnight" creates a little breathing space with a sweeter atmosphere, which is followed by the smooth techno house textures of Scott Grooves' underground classic "Detroit 808." Höppner then includes another rare find that instantly creates a high point in a club set; DJ Emanuel's untitled track hits all the right boxes of deep house brilliance and is followed by this year's unexpected club hit from Andrés, a perfect reminder that you need to hear something like this again -- live on the dancefloor in a club.