Various – Panorama Bar 03 Sampler review

This sampler from Prosumer’s third edition of the Panorama Bar mix series should do a lot to dispel any doubts that the Ostgut stable focuses too heavily on harder techno or caters exclusively to jaw-grinding intensity.  Berlin residing Korean producer Hunee joins the Ostgut stable with “Leaf For Hand In Hand”, which sounds like a return to UK house music of the mid to late-90s, its undulating groove unfolding every bit as joyously as Jamie Reid”s LHAS project from that period. The crucial difference however is that Hunee’s track is clubbier and features the kind of celebratory hook that would be more common to Pagan releases. Fused with a bleeding acid line, it nonetheless serves as a reminder of what a fruitful time that scene enjoyed.

“Take U” by Soundstore a is more stripped back affair, focusing mainly on a buzzing bass, edgy beats and heavy claps  – although there is some concession towards musicality thanks to some eerie synths – but “Sadness” by Steffi ensures that soul remains on the Ostgut menu. Over understated drums, Steffi lays down a sun-kissed yet somnambulant melody line and the kind of breathy vocals that Tracey Thorn would kill to emulate. These tracks make for one of the most uplifting house releases of 2011 – and reinforce Ostgut’s reputation as a purveyor of the best contemporary electronic music.

Richard Brophy