[Ostgut Ton]

One of Ostgut Ton’s greatest strengths has always been the canny A&R work involved in each release. Their ear for talent is nearly unmatched in contemporary house and techno, having provided big breaks for Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock, Tama Sumo and Marcel Fengler, and hosted career milestones by Shed, Prosumer & Murat Tepeli, and Cassy. Yet there is no sign of Ostgut Ton resting on their laurels or their reputation as the label arm of Berlin’s most highly regarded clubs. The imprint’s first release of 2010 is also Panorama Bar resident Steffi’s debut solo single, one so skillfully and confidently produced it all but insures everyone involved will reap rewards for their efforts.

Stylistically in line with “24 Hours,” Steffi’s contribution to the Panorama Bar 02 single series, Kill Me offers a more mature and precise take on her classicly-influenced sound. Co-produced by Dexter, whose lengthy discography dates reaches back into the early 90’s and is the other set of hands on the wheel of Steffi’s Klakson label, “Kill Me” is expertly paced and solidly built from the impeccable vocal arrangements down to Doppler-panned shakers. Elif Biçer, another great Ostgut Ton find, manages to sound both strong and delicate as she delivers lyrical kiss offs to an undeserving lover who she’d rather have “kill me” than withstand their advances. Suspended just above dulcet pads and the prowling strides of a filtered 303, Biçer (aided by a relatively brief five-and-a-half minute run-time) pulls the song clear into song-oriented territory. DJs are provided for as well with an equally effective instrumental dub, which parses Biçer’s potent syllables between more assertive synth strides and creates a sumptuous avenue towards dance floor bliss. The Prescription-styled “Crushed Soul” mix rounds out the package on a laid back note, alleviating the angst of the original with an even blanket of velvety tones, blinking leads, and a bumping bass line. If the original sounded as if it took place during a charged argument, the “Crushed Soul” mix scores the reflective moments as the dust settles on what’s been said. Kill Me is a versatile release that proves Steffi is capable of penning robust tunes, adds a feather in Dexter’s already full cap, and is a promising sign for Ostgut Ton’s judicious A&Ring in 2010.