Title: Timeless mixed by Lawrence
Record Label: Cocoon Recordings
Genre: Techno
Release Date: 19th August 2011
When it comes to things Deep, Minimal and Tech the Germans really do know how to do it. Peter M Kersten aka Lawrence launched the Dial label in Hamburg in 2000 with his flat mate Carsten Jost and has released seven albums under various production aliases with musical styles ranging from Deep House, Techno to Abstract Hip-Hop. It is as Lawrence, however, that he is probably best know and has been receiving the most attention.
Timeless is Lawrence’s first commercially released mix compilation and the name says it all. Too often DJ’s are overly concerned with playing the newest releases they can get their hands on and it’s something I have never fully understood.
Yes, it is important to be ahead of the crowd and keep abreast of what’s new and cutting edge but not to the detriment of what you are actually trying to achieve as a DJ. Truly great music is timeless and in my humble opinion when a DJ pulls off a mix with a track selection which encompasses both new releases and classics from years gone by, it demonstrates not only talent but also musical knowledge and maturity.
Be prepared for a true mood altering musical journey. The mix starts with Lawrence’s own “Floating” which is a beautifully simple, atmospheric track followed by the Deep melancholic sounds of “Zukunft in English” by Melchior Productions.
Timeless – mixed by Lawrence (CORMIX035) by cocoonrecordings
Lawrence takes us back to 1995 with the Minimalized Deep house track “Forever Monna” by Chez Damier, Ron Trent and Stacey Pullen then demonstrates his love of Detroit Techno with tracks such as Smallpeople & Rau’s “Life Aquatic”.
Things really pick up half way through the mix but there are in fact just too many good tracks to mention.
One thing I noticed, and liked, when listening to this mix is that you can tell it has actually been mixed by Lawrence and not a computer. It’s got that rawness about it which I love so much and which has unfortunately become so rare in commercially released mix CD’s.
In closing….buy this album! Close your eyes while listening to it and imagine a dark underground club in Germany. You’ll be there instantly and you’ll be stuck on the dance floor all night.
In fact, you’ll probably still be there when the sun comes up and wanting more. I’m off to book my flight to Hamburg!
REVIEW: Darren Rose
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