Watergate 10 is more reminiscent of DJ Spooky’s plundering a century’s worth of sound archives on Rhythm Science (Sub Rosa) than a conventional club mix, though you certainly can dance to it—and for a long time, too, as it bumps right up against the time limit of compact disc capacity.
[Release page] In the network of European techno clubs, those boasting their own, truly quality house label make up a small, thoroughbred elite. Fabric in London and Berghain and its adjacent Panorama Bar in Berlin really have few counterparts. But bringing up fast from the rear is now Watergate, another Berlin club, whose dancefloors open right up onto the Spree.
Its tenth and by far most interesting mix has been executed by label curator Marco Resmann. It states in no uncertain terms that Resmann is not just a skilled disc jockey but a well-organized idea man. Watergate 10 is more reminiscent of DJ Spooky’s plundering a century’s worth of sound archives on Rhythm Science (Sub Rosa) than a conventional club mix, though you certainly can dance to it—and for a long time, too, as it bumps right up against the time limit of compact disc capacity.
Whereas Spooky juggled the voices of Apollinaire, Gertrude Stein and Gilles Deleuze, Resmann splatters his mix with anonymous voices who are, in their own way, equally poetic. He forms them into theatre, a play in and around the party—”I feel a little ashamed of being just me,” sings the girl getting herself ready to experience that ever-elusive “more,” something new tonight; “pulled out my MasterCard only for the bartender to tell me, I’m sorry but your card was declined” shrugs one older, veteran patron; “you can go when I say so,” utters a possibly demented hook-up.
His musical selections are smart, ranging from established members of the vanguard like Håkan Lidbo and Ricardo Villalobos to sorely underexoposed regional talents like Guillaime & The Coutu Dumont (who remain sorely underexposed here, too, only wanted for their cool vocal sample). Were the Encyclopedia Britannica to feature an entry on “intelligent dance music,” then by all rights it should be illustrated with a picture of this album cover.
Watergate 10 is available on Watergate. Buy at Amazon or Boomkat.
Read full review of Watergate 10 – MARCO RESMANN / VARIOUS on Boomkat.com ©
