GERD JANSON Vinilo y CD

Review: A result of Danny Howard's Radio 1 Lockdown link up, Misfit Melodies brings artists that have never worked together due to time, place or opportunity. When its next experiment resulted in the unlikely meeting of Running Back's Gerd Janson and PETS Recordings duo Catz 'N' Dogz, they knew they were in for a rare treat. Taking the very best of classic house motifs, mixed in with neon-lit nu-disco thrills, 'Modern Romance' is a tune we can expect to hear burning up living room dancefloors throughout the early part of 2021, with its infectious vocal and Mark Barrott (International Feel) helping out with some piano work. Handy instrumental and club mix by Janson included.

Review: In a taxi en route to an airport, Gerd Janson mentioned to Midland that he might have some demos for the label that he had been working on with fellow Frankfurter, Shan. What resulted were a pair of tracks that perfectly nail the vibe and what the label is about, 'soundtracking the moments of the night and day when everyone on the dancefloor feels like a family.' Legend has it that in 2015, Midland watched Janson close Berlin's infamous Panorama Bar. The way he played on the night, the energy levels he maintained in the room altogether inspired him to write some music influenced by the experience. The tracks that followed were the first release on Regraded and fast forward to this, the third release: it all seems to have come full circle.

Review: For the first Musik For Autobahns compilation, released back in 2012, Gerd Janson asked some of his favourite producers to create tracks inspired by the relentless, seemingly never-ending experience of motorway driving. Three years on, he's revisited the concept with similarly pleasing results. Subtitled "ambient race car music", Musik For Autobahns 2 offers up a largely magical blend of hyponitic, Balearic-tinged downtempo grooves (see Leon Vynehall's brilliant opener), shuffling hypnotism (Joy Orbison), obligatory nods to Kraftwerk (Fort Romeau), quirky synth-pop (AKSK), Detroit influences (Disco Nihilist), trippy Balearic boogie (Conga Radio), and sublime compositions (Orlando Voorn). More importantly, it contains some wonderfully evocative and entertaining music.

Review: Thanks to his reputation as a knowledgeable house selector with immaculate mixing skills, hopes are high for Gerd Janson's contribution to Fabric's long-running mix series. As predicted, it's superb. After opening with Luke Abbot's deliciously steamy, marimba-heavy rework of Todd Terje sunset classic "Snooze 4 Love", the Running Back chief gradually ups the tempo and intensity, along the way finding time for the melodious breeziness of John Talabot, the stripped-back retro-futurism of Shan, a dash of big room business from Joy Orbison and Boddika, and a swathe of lesser-known house gems from the likes of Joe Clausell and Scott Grooves. He also squeezes in Prins Thomas's loose and summery rework of Caribou's "Sun", which closes the mix perfectly.

Review: Gerd Jansen's first collection of autobahn-inspired "ambient-not-ambient" cuts, released back in 2012, was something of an overlooked triumph. If anything, this second volume in the series - once again packed with exclusive, never-before-heard material - is even better. There are glistening, far-sighted excursions from Leon Vynehall, Shan and Orson Wells, a brilliant chunk of shuffling dancefloor hypnotism from Joy Orbison, and some vintage, low-slung ambient fare from Dutch veteran Orlando Voorn. Meanwhile, Disco Nihilist's "Melancholy" is formidable emotive - unsurprising, given the Detroit and deep synth-pop influences - while Lauer's "Autofahrn" is a thrillingly authentic Kraftwerk tribute.

Review: With a title like this, it's no surprise to learn that the compilation Gerd Janson has pulled together for Rush Hour is somewhat indebted to the legacy of Kraftwerk. In a thoroughly refreshing focus of intent, the contributing artists have had to reach towards a preface of "ambient not ambient" to take part in this project, and the end results showcase artists reaching beyond the common fare they turn out in their day to day release schedules. With his roots in ambient, Move D is of course right at home here, as is Roman Flugel, but it's exciting to hear the Krautrock tones of Ame's "Erkki" or the claustrophobic beatdown of Maxxi & Zeus (better known as Quiet Village).

Review: With a title like this, it's no surprise to learn that the compilation Gerd Janson has pulled together for Rush Hour is somewhat indebted to the legacy of Kraftwerk. In a thoroughly refreshing focus of intent, the contributing artists have had to reach towards a preface of "ambient not ambient" to take part in this project, and the end results showcase artists reaching beyond the common fare they turn out in their day to day release schedules. With his roots in ambient, Move D is of course right at home here, as is Roman Flugel, but it's exciting to hear the Krautrock tones of Ame's "Erkki" or the claustrophobic beatdown of Maxxi & Zeus (better known as Quiet Village).

Review: With "Computer Incarnations For World Peace" Jazzanova present a selection of song gems from the new wave era. Beside their own productions, DJ gigs and work for their Sonar Kollektiv label, the Berlin collective Jazzanova are building a growing reputation as successful compilers. "Computer Incarnations For World Peace", released on Sonar, proves this.

Review: Michael Mayer's Kompakt label has managed to help shape a number of niche sounds, from ambient with its excellent annual compilations, to a mature and melodic take on techno through countless LPs and 12"s. This new remix EP sits somewhere in between. Running Back don Gerd Janson goes first with his take on 'Follow Your Line' which has zoned out and filtered vocals of a nice and languid electronic disco rhythm. Ada then brings some signature melodic beauty and whisky to a remix of 'Talking Man' that has Balearic potential and the boss himself dubs out 'Follow Your Line' to perfection.