BAH026 is Thomas Smorek’s full second release as Dunkeltier, and both follow the German producer’s appearance on the first Rat Life record. Smorek also works as Sneaker, but on the evidence of its first two releases, it’s the Dunkeltier project that is proving to be his most impressive project. What stands out and endears this writer so much to this record and his debut for Macadam Mambo is Smorek’s ability to recycle source material in an inventive and highly entertaining way as well as his understanding of how to weave such influences into contemporary dance floor tracks.
Bionda E Lupo (which translates as ‘The Blonde & The Wolf’) is a collaborative effort between Dunkeltier of Rat Life and Macadam Mambo fame and his unnamed girlfriend. It sees the pair delve deep into the annals of European pop and electronic music, with Dunkeltier previously describing the project as a platform for ‘synth pop ballads, krauty wave and space disco. On the evidence of this first release, it certainly measures up in two out of those three categories, with no sign of the duo’s wave influences yet.