Running Back Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: After a break of two long years, tech-house scene stalwart Sascha Funke has finally delivered a new EP of typically atmospheric, on-point music. It's his first outing for Running Back after years spent flitting between BPitch Control, Multi-Culti and Endless Flight. Interestingly, what's on offer is more retro-futurist in tone than much of his work, with audible nods to vintage electronic disco, early 2000s nu-disco (think Morgan Geist) and tactile '90s deep house. Our picks of a very strong bunch are rubbery, morse code-sporting nu-disco-goes-bleep house number 'QAM', moody analogue deep house treat 'SEZ', whose creepy chords and spacey sonics are undeniably alluring, and ultra-melodious, Italo-disco-influenced opener 'FEZ'.

Review: Sascha Funke is a long time master of the deep who arrives on the always tastefully diverse Running Back label headed up so expertly by Gerd Janson. He brings a slightly different look here with the wonky, twitchy and tech infused rhythmic stomp of 'Reality'. There is more melody on display on 'Fantasy' with its ever rising synth loops glowing bright with a celestial hue and on the flip-side 'Puzzle' pairs some subtly joyous piano chord stabs over prickly disco-tech beats with molten arps underneath. 'Halle Weissensee' then closes down with a nice stiff and rave ready house sound, snappy beats and tight bass.