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Freeplay: Audiotrackus
By Joshua Smith
jsmit293@mscd.edu

Download Amuse Geule at epicurebusiness.com

The interesting thing about the Epicure Business netlabel is that Wikipedia is the only place to go to try to figure out where the hell these guys are from. It turns out they’re from Thuringia, a small independent state located in central Germany.

This is why the netlabel phenomenon is so important to the new paradigm of music; before it the world would never have known that kids in Thuringia are into minimal-techno music – let alone making and distributing it. The world might never have known where Thuringia even was.

The three proprietors of the Epicure Business site, according to their mission statement, are releasing the music of their native German friends. What this means is that listeners are being given a taste of the musical scene in another part of the world they may never have otherwise experienced.

The Audiotrackas EP Amuse Geule is comprised of seven interesting and varied takes on dance-floor techno. Wonderful for a DJ, but actually interesting enough to warrant a few listens in its own right, the Audiotrackas release shows us what Thuringia has to offer.

The jams to look out for on this release include the second track, “Defaktor.” It is eight minutes of slow-building, driving dance-floor techno. The composition is minimal, with only about four sounds being used at any one time. But what is there is used well. The bass line bobs along with the kick drum, allowing the sparse use of synth to stand out and become the focus. It is definitely worth a listen.

Another great track on this release is number six, “My Name in a Magazin,” again clocking in at nearly eight minutes. This track is the fullest-sounding cut on the album, and the composition can become a bit disorienting at times. This doesn’t sound immediately appealing, but it is a good thing. The overall feeling of the track carries more emotion than the rest of the release, which is always refreshing in a style of music that is generally accused of being emotionless.

As a whole, Amuse Geule can stand on its own as an interesting and fun listen. It’s great for headphone listening on a walk around town, savoring the musical treat. And who knows, maybe in the next few years the future sound of Thuringia will be all over the music news.