Otto Wagner Green by Gerald VDH
Techno but not Techno
Gerald VDH (real name Gerald van der Hint) runs MEAT Recordings, an Austrian Techno label he founded in 2017 with fellow musicians Matt Mor and Specific Objects, and organises the ongoing Meat Market parties in Vienna and elsewhere.
Otto Wagner Green is van der Hint's third EP (ninth on the label) and sees the DJ and producer tentatively creep closer to his true calling: Bass. Having previously tackled Techno from various angles (incorporating Jungle, Rave and vocals) van der Hint continues to experiment and explore by introducing subtle (and blatant on the title track) Bass elements on this new EP.
Competent and pleasing enough, the format of opening statement Creature Of Habit is clear-cut Techno. The Alternate remix from label colleague Matt Mor that follows is in a similar vein. All great so far, and then.... the breakbeats break out! Honestly, hearing third track Otto Wagner Green the first two or three times is like experiencing a mild electric jolt. Like a sore thumb, it sticks out. It wouldn't sound out of place on a Stanton Warriors album. Breakbeats, background harmonies, a helluva catchy sample and a driving bass line - it makes me grin goofily. It's an unexpected find on a Techno EP but I'm not complaining. Perhaps surprised by his own bold ventures, van der Hint's closing gambit Against The Current steps back a little by continuing his pursuit of fresh sounds by mashing together Techno, Bass and Breaks to reveal a fine crossbred amalgamation. There's even the sweet taste of melody halfway through.
- Rating: 7/10
- Listens: 11
- Highlight: Otto Wagner Green
- Label: MEAT Recordings
- Release Date: 14th December 2018