Frantic EP

There are two defining aspects to Marcel Fengler; firstly he retains a more humble profile to his more celebrated fellow Berghain residents Klock and Dettmann, and secondly original material from Fengler may be an infrequent proposition, but it's almost always worthy of your attention. This latter aspect is certainly true of the three track Frantic EP, a worthy return to Ostgut Ton, following last year's Berghain O5 mix and a clutch of notable EPs. Commencing with the title track, Fengler draws on a canny complement of insistent loops and sumptuous synth arrangements, while the rugged drum patterns make "Frantic" seem all too appropriate a title. Flip over for the alien techno funk of "6 In A Row", a track which masterfully swings between the thick groove and fast fingered smears of neon synths, while the glistening beauty of "Mosaique" offers some nice contrast to the previous onslaught.

Ben Sims, Rolando, Marcel Heese, FabioDellaTorre (Minimono/Bosconi), Jinno(Enable Recordings/Japan), Jamie Behan, James Ruskin, Christian Vance, Resident Advisor, Gareth Wild (EarToGround Records), Darkcell(fluxus Records)