various: various

After the critically-acclaimed five-year anniversary compilation Fünf in 2011, influential Berlin-based electronic label Ostgut Ton presents a collection of exclusive tracks. With Various Ostgut Ton offers a space for the artists to release tracks a little off-center from their known production styles. The result is a double 12 inch release on which eight different Ostgut Ton artists create a journey through ambient electro styles to mellow techno grooves. The carefully compiled Various all comes together with mastering that creates a unified whole, spread over 4 sides of vinyl, and housed in a luscious gatefold sleeve. Barker & Baumecker make the start with "Meiose," a paradoxically fast ambient track that breaks all the rules, with a slow diving sub bass to boost. Picking up the heavy bass theme is Berghain resident Fiedel (of MMM), "Grunewald2" is wrapped in sweet melodies reminiscent of early Rephlex. Turning into darker alleys is Tobias. with "Dark & Troubling Things," a deep, cinematic soundworld, at once disturbing and comforting, but overall uniquely Tobias. Veteran producer Rolando reaches into much more experimental territories, as the brooding atmospheres of "Neglected" build slowly into a shuffling rhythm, only to break down again inside the track's twilight zone. As DIN, Marcel Fengler and Efdemin pick up the beat with "You Are," a minimal tech beast covered in abstract sound architecture. After a critically-acclaimed debut 12" for the label, Virginia extends the groove, sounding genuinely classic inside deep techno territory that lifts the spirits with the sweetest acid line. It remains to be seen who records under the secret moniker Crushed Soul, although you might hazard a rough guess, but the electro-jacked bass line complemented by a lush string arrangement on "Shades" is yet another welcome branching out towards an updated, almost lost, yet classic sound as yet unheard in this form on Ostgut Ton. The last track on the compilation mirrors this extended EP like a résumé with its slow building melodies, atmospheres and final kick attack. Function puts you in the mood, builds up your desire and gives you exactly what you want, complemented by the beautiful vocals of Stefanie Parnow.