roman flugel: monday brain

Very few artists have influenced the sound of house and techno as much as Roman Flügel. Active since the early '90s under various aliases, Flügel is widely revered as a DJ, live performer, producer, remixer, intellectual, and record label owner. The record labels he helped found -- Ongaku, Klang, and Playhouse -- are pivotal imprints in the electronic music scene, and his ability to gracefully incorporate and master most styles of 4/4 has seen him create in genres ranging through techno, house, electro, ambient, IDM, downtempo, and acid house. Respected both as a solo artist and collaborator, this veteran of the scene now presents an incredible double vinyl release for Hypercolour. Monday Brain contains six tracks of highly polished techno/electronica covering a range of tempos and styles. Flügel demonstrates his ability to morph his sound with the times, and displays his breadth of sound-design magnificently over the release. Opener "Teenage Engineering" explores cosmic IDM sensibilities and builds in harmony and texture for a fine example of Flügel's melodic sound, while "Make It Happen" captures more psychedelic touches over a solid groove. "Man Sees the Face, God Sees the Heart" goes as deep as its title suggests, as rhythmic sounds melodically ride over minimal beats and luscious bass in a stirring slice of modern electronica; "Church of Dork" wigs out like the very best Chicago house records, its synth motif worming around the jacked-up beats. "Picnic for Players" comes ready with blissful and melancholic riffs, dipped in warm reverb for a classic-sounding piece, before the work closes in fine style with the shadowy "Vegetarian Leather Jackets." Flügel once again displays his effortless knack for creating timeless dance music.