They might have started off a few years back as soulful deep house heads, but by some strange spell Ali and Basti Schwarz have ended up turning into stalwarts of the new electro-house scene. Genuinely conquered by this wind of change currently shaking dancefloors worldwide, the brothers have been experimenting lots and have got better remix after remix after remix (The Rapture’s ‘Sister Saviour’, Phonique’s ‘The Red Dress’, DJ Tal’s ‘Digital World’ and their own ‘Blow’ track on Gigolo to name just a few). Unquestionably it was their radical rework of Spektrum’s ‘Kinda New’ which sealed for good their growing reputation by rallying a shocking cross-section of djs to their dislocated bleep-funk. With their awaited new album lurking on the horizon comes first excerpt ‘Issst’ (also the name of their monthly London residency this spring). Techy and minimal, it of course bares all their trademarks (125 BPM) and boasts an accompanying remix by German techy kid Dominik Eulberg (126). Now if it sure does the job, you could maybe have expected something a little more hummable from those clever players but this is maybe where Tiefschwarz’s strength lies. Highly abstract, with surprising structures, funky-to-the-bone programming and unexpected u-turns, their productions don’t rely on the same tired formula(s) and gimmicks. On the contrary by going against all you’ve come to expect from a house record (generally a build up, a breakdown, a melodic anchor and back), they have defined an exciting blueprint – there isn’t one anymore – and thus seriously rejuvenated good ol’ 4/4. No wonder everybody’s started to emulate their sound – when not plainly ripping it off – and believe it this is only the beginning.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: JERRY BOUTHIER
