While the snow now seems a distant memory, winter isn’t done yet. And there is nothing that compliments the cold better than a bit of classy German electronica.
Luckily, Saturday sees Corsica Studios drafting in a slice of continental cool in the form of Berlin’s Workshop Records, who since 2006 have curated a winning mix of esoteric house and techno over a series of crucial vinyl releases. Workshop’s recognizable hand-stamped records are a mark of quality for the music contained within -– untitled and unhurried takes on techno and house –- tracks that occasionally diverge into disco or darker territories but never take the easy route.
Like the best independent labels theirs is focused around a circle of friends with a shared vision and a release policy that suggests the records come when they’re ready, not when the schedule demands. On Saturday, Workshop’s founder Lowtec will be aided by young experimentalist Kassem Mosse and the superb Move D, whose latest release for the label — a brooding nine minutes of looped vocals and ecstatic disco strings — could be his best work yet. Completing the mouth watering line-up are Even Tuell and UK producers Altered Natives and DjRUM. It’s hard to find apt reference points for artists who show scant regard for genre conventions or following dance music’s obvious dynamics. But if you’ve followed Ricardo Villalobos’ techno experiments, dig Theo Parrish’s deep house voyages or are enamoured by the the slo-mo thump of Nicolas Jaar, Saturday’s showcase looks set to offer a warming brew of dancefloor excellence.
Workshop Records London - Move D, Kassem Mosse [live], Lowtec, Even Tuell, Altered Natives, Djrum, El Kid [live], BNRY [live] – Saturday 25th Feb, Corsica Studios, SE17 1LB. Tickets are available here.
Photo used with permission from Move D
