Review:
This sampler from Prosumer's Panorama Bar mix should dispel any doubts that the Ostgut stable caters exclusively to jaw-grinding intensity. Hunee's "Leaf for Hand in Hand" sounds like a return to UK house music of the mid to late-90s with a clubbier feel punctuated by a celebratory hook. Fused with a bleeding acid line, it nonetheless serves as a reminder of what a fruitful time that scene enjoyed. "Take U" by Soundstore a is more stripped back affair, focusing mainly on a buzzing bass, edgy beats and heavy claps - although there is some concession towards musicality thanks to some eerie synths - but "Sadness" by Steffi ensures that soul remains on the Ostgut menu. Over understated drums, Steffi lays down a sun-kissed yet somnambulant melody line and the kind of breathy vocals that Tracey Thorn would kill to emulate. These tracks make for one of the most uplifting house releases of 2011 - and reinforce Ostgut's reputation as a purveyor of the best contemporary electronic music.