PHANTOM STUDIES

Berghain residents Ben Klock and Marcel Dettmann link back to Ostgut Ton™s label launch in 2006 with their first studio collaboration in ten years and the extended Phantom Studies, on occasion of the one hundreth O-TON 12š EP release. With Phantom Studies Dettmann Dawning (2006) and Scenario (2007) from over a decade ago with their first co-production in ten years. On this extended, 40-minute 2x12" EP Marcel Dettmann and Ben Klock parlay their deep personal alliance and musical repertoire through emphasis on new functional Techno as much as hypnotic, melodic and soulful music by thinking outside the box. The seven new, original tracks reflect these attributions by communicating to the needs and expectations of both DJs and home audio listeners, but not neglecting one over the other. The opening track šPhantom Studies› perfectly combines this spirit with one leg on the floor and one on the couch: the brittle beginning is soon outpaced by a subtle kick, meandering, mesmerizing harmonies, hi-hats and clave sounds as well as bells that join the ranks of Techno music's vast past. Very much a musical piece, evocative and powerful. This aesthetic is present throughout this record, interconnecting home with club settings: šThe Room› is likely the darkest piece, decelerated, drone-heavy, menacing and pitch black with Marcel Dettmann on vocals; šProphet Man› is a laid-back, pulsing Dub Techno piece with plenty of synth pads left and right, nestling a spoken-word sermon by Ben Klock  but not as dead serious as you may think, hence the giggles; šThe World Tonight› puts shimmering, frisky synth melodies into the focus while the kick adds some muscularity and ecstasy. Of course there's something for club use: šNo One Around› is a prototypic tool, relentlessly pounding at 134 bpm with an uncompromising sudden start / end; Clocking in at 124 bpm šBad Boy› lives up to its name through multifaceted hi-hat patterns and swirling synth progressions; šThe Tenant› closes out this release with distorted, bending, brazen Acid textures, noisy, dazing vocal samples atop a steady kick drum, completed by a fitting valediction: šGood night!› Phantom Studies underlines Dettmann regards of their twelve-year residency at Berghain or challenging dancefloors around the globe. --------------------------------------------------------- Tracklisting --------------------------------------------------------- Track: 1 Artist: Dettmann Title: Phantom Studies Playtime: 00:08:53 Track: 2 Artist: Dettmann Title: No One Around Playtime: 00:04:39 Track: 3 Artist: Dettmann Title: The Room Playtime: 00:04:52 Track: 4 Artist: Dettmann Title: Prophet Man Playtime: 00:06:48 Track: 5 Artist: Dettmann Title: Bad Boy Playtime: 00:04:05 Track: 6 Artist: Dettmann Title: The World Tonight Playtime: 00:06:00 Track: 7 Artist: Dettmann Title: The Tenant Playtime: 00:04:13