Credentials don't come more comprehensive than the pairing of Omsk Information and Dr. Walker, the pair behind release #149 for Lucidflow. The former has been a product developer for M-Audio and Native Instruments, contributing to the glittering constellation of products such as Traktor and Maschine. The latter is Ingmar Koch, co-founder of Kompakt records, who boasts a history sharing the Harvest Records label with Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Can, amassing an astonishing 800 strong catalogue of vinyl, CD and remix releases.
Unsurprisingly the 'Café Keese' release - named after a café in Berlin - is fully flavoured, laden with the experience on show. It leads the way with the Ball Paradox version of the title track, stepping out on finest form. It is swinging, melodic and intoxicating in the manner with which it swirls around your head. It's the Lucidflow manifesto given a wry spin, with dub stabs coming from pizzicato strings and a twinkle in the eye of the melodies on show.
'Black Lines' brings in a new flavour for the Lucidflow catalogue, switching into a 6/8 time signature and darkly narcotic waters. It is all dark swirling smoke, purples and blacks, a real track for Halloween dance floors. We then switch back to 'Café Keese', although now in its original guise. The tempo is lower although the uplifting positivity of the Ball Paradox version remains. If you think of the sort of chuggy dub workouts The Orb have been famed for in recent years, you're halfway there.
Finally, label co-owner Nadja Lind steps in for her take on 'Café Keese', offering a contextual counterpoint with a rugged high adrenaline version. The beats are straighter, the bass is rubbery, but then you are hit by the key motifs. Everything sinks into place and you are left with a real anthemic alternative.
'Café Keese' is out on 12th Feb and will be available from the usual digital outlets.