I must say I haven’t been familiar with Ben’s work until his rather amazing remix of Roy Ayers’ ‘Holiday’ hit me last year on BBE. Fresh from announcing the full digitalisation of his second label, Meta, Ben Rau returns to his Inkal imprint with ‘Out There’, a slick two-tracker that showcases the German talent at his best. The EP begins with title track ‘Out There’, a swelling house cut that merges rolling percussion with funky disco licks, before a heavily delayed vocal calls out to the dancefloor in the breakdown. Driving congas and shuffling hi-hats create a funky peak time track that shows off Ben’s big room sensitivities. On the B-side comes ‘What is Love’, a long-awaited and enigmatic house cut that rounds off the release in style. Deep pads swell and ebb, while Ben’s signature minimal percussion bleeps and glitches with funk and swing. You might know the vocal sample from Deee-Lite’s track with the same name. Finally it has to be said that the man has got an album out soon too and I can tell you it is nothing but amazing true House Music with a slight touch of Techno. If this appeals to you, you should purchase it better today than tomorrow.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by MANNIX
