KOLSCH Vinilo y CD

Review: The Speicher series feels almost as old as techno itself by now. It has long been one of the many jewels in Cologne label Kompakt's crown and Kolsch, one of the label's chief mainstays, has been behind many of them. This 128th such offering is a dreamy yet dynamic techno sound that sits up there with some of the label's best offerings. 'Cold Air' is urgent and edgy but always awash with waves of melodic sheen even when the ragged bass is in free fall. 'Environ' then has a 90s IDM Warp feel to it with its bright reflective melodies filtered and drawn out, stretched and smeared over a big and bouncy beat.

Review: Kolsch gets his freak on with this latest release on for the Kompakt Extra label which represents the Danish producer's fourth Speicher in total. We are not sure what Rune Reilly Kolsch was on when he was in the studio making "Papageno" but we sure would like some, as the production is bugged out to the extreme! Detuned synths and malfunctioning electronics collide magnificently with manipulated basslines and stripped back percussion before Kolsch introduces a most pleasant detour into a more melodic plane blessed by fluttering vocals from When Saints Go Machine's Waa Industry. On the flip, Kolsch teams up with pianist Gregor Schwellenbach for the sublime "Cassiopeia" which surely ranks as one of Kompakt's most affecting B Sides of recent memory.