[Royal Oak]

These days it seems like each new Gerd release is described by its label as having been recently unearthed from his old hard drives or DATs. That the Dutch producer is still turning up fresh delicacies is a testament to how busy he’s kept in his two decades of production. But it also speaks to just how tremendous his talents are, as each track feels uncannily in-tune with the current milieu and timeless all at once. Palm Leaves, Gerd’s latest for Clone’s Royal Oak sub-label, is perhaps his best and most relevant find to date and comes with dub mix by Clone founder Serge and Alden Tyrell.

Unlike “Time & Space,” his last Clone-released record which originated in the 90’s, “Palm Leaves” was composed two years ago yet contains no obvious hallmarks of 2009 except its 126 BPM tempo. Appropriately for a track that finds the Dr. Orion (aka OlivierDaysoul) intoning about wanting to be in a tropical locale with you, its main motif is breezy and embellished with what sound like velvety vocal touches. Willowy percussion and tinkling key progressions sustain the weightless feeling until a deep, brackish bass line anchors the tune to the dance floor. Garnished with ebullient synth leads, “Palm Leaves” is as intoxicatingly sweet as the most potent of mojitos. Serge and Tyrell’s dub pushes the bass line’s arrival into the second minute and provides it with more room to swagger and vibrate. Dr. Orion’s vocals are flayed into stuttering fragments that are sprayed over the top at less than natural points. It’s not a bad rework, but next to the calm, expertly arranged original it’s a bit rough. If the rest of Gerd’s leftovers are of the same quality as “Palm Leaves,” this Dutch master won’t need to compose new material for years to come.