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It's a big responsibility to be first up on a compilation series for a semi-seminal club.
Seems strange to categorise Watergate in that way, considering it's only 5 years old, but as a venue it has defined an unequivocal era in the regeneration of Berlin, and it's new generation will surely look back on it in future years as truly seminal. The location by the river Spree and the LED dance floor installation mark it out almost as much as the music, and to sum up the club in a single mix CD would have been a foolhardy task and a nigh impossible one.
What a blessing then, that occasional Watergate and permanent Berlin resident Onur Ozer does nothing like that.
Yes, there are many tracks featured from artists and performers associated with the venue, but the actual mix overrides any individual record and the flow of the rhythm is the key feature that keeps you hooked.
To hear a mix compilation that actually pays attention to the ebb and flow of the 74 minutes, that really takes a listener inside the music, allowing them to change mood and direction without always striving for the next big break or hook is strikingly refreshing.
There are some great dance floor moments still, in the shape of Hector & Star's La Raza or the Johnny D remix of Pox Box from Ralph Sliwinski on Sushitech, but the leftfield quirkiness of Cassy 'April' on Perlon or Ozer's own Sahara add some nice depth to the album and get filed for later listening over and over. Jason Blakemore's Suspicion is worth a mention, if only for it's 'Safari' like attributes, and Patrice Bäumel with 'The Roar' surely has one of the best build-ups of the year.
To be honest I could maybe give the violin overture of Jens Zimmermann a miss, and as a live set then maybe so many peaks and troughs would lead to attention wandering. But as a representation of a zeitgeist club, with a limitless supply of talent banging on its door, this is a top notch offering from an interesting DJ. If there's more where this came from then I can't wait for Watergate 2.
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