17-50

The new album by Stefan Goldmann, techno’s most restlessly inventive artist: De-tuning notes has been central to house and techno since the early days in Chicago. “17:50” is where this turns systematic: the whole Western harmonic standard is thrown overboard and replaced by pitch systems of beautifully alien yet incredibly catchy melodies, bass lines and chords. It is probably the first new melodic concept to enter house music since the days of acid.

In a field of music whose innovations seemed to have come to an end, pitch bending opens up radically fresh possibilities. Tones never stand still but are bent and re-tuned for maximum expression. As a result even the simplest melodies sound exotically new and intriguing. Warm synths, analog drum machines and loads of dirty distortion shape “17:50”, celebrating a rough, vivid hardware sound. Bend the pitch and the mind will follow.

Stefan Goldmann runs Macro, according to De:Bug “the world’s leading avant-techno label.” He has released for Perlon, Cocoon and Innervisions and performs extensively worldwide, having just returned from a 12 gigs Japan tour. For the world’s no.1 club, Berghain, he has conceived the Elektroakustischer Salon events, writes a regular column for the club’s flyer -zine and DJs at Panorama Bar’s Sunday sessions.