Prolific Munich producer Dario Zenker works with a style of techno that’s intrinsically aggressive, but also funky and even lighthearted at times. Cat Stance is his second appearance on Peter Van Hoesen’s Time To Express label, and like the first, Insirer, it comes bolstered with a remix from the proprietor himself. Contrary to expectations, however, the 12″ finds the two producers seemingly swapping places.
The original track nods to Jeff Mills — not only in its reverberating, dizzy symphonics, but also in the way it’s so skillfully wound up. After several minutes of repetition, Zenker finally lets loose, dropping in an upfront hi-hat and letting everything swirl around it. Meanwhile, Peter Van Hoesen’s remix marks a surprising turn, especially considering the ominous, muscular flex of the last time he remixed Zenker. Instead, Van Hoesen sticks a gleaming stab pattern in the middle of his arrangement, filtering it up and down amid techy, almost tribal drums. It reminds of everything from Underground Resistance to UK funky, and is up there with the most accessible material he’s put his name to. As much of a departure as it may be, it’s worth tipping your cap to Van Hoesen for taking this kind of risk and pairing it with a track that’s almost austere by comparison.
that pvh remix is so good!