CD1 - Various CD2 - Tiefschwarz/Remixers
Tiefschwarz present “Black Music” - double CD compilation
Souvenir

The Schwarz brothers Ali and Basti really need no introduction, together as Tiefschwarz they have been on top of the tech and electro house mountain for the better part of a decade. Tiefschwarz was formed in 1996 by two brothers Alexander and Sebastian Schwarz. Meaning “deep black”, Tiefschwarz has become a household name in the house music scene all over the world. Besides their resident DJ duties, the brothers Schwarz have been touring all over Europe and worldwide since 1995. Along with their extensive original production catalogue, they have remixed more than 30 tracks for the likes of Jam & Spoon, Master At Work, Earth Wind and Fire, Spektrum, just to name a few. Fast forward to present day they are embarking on a tour to support what can really be described as a timeless work of art called Tiefschwarz present “Black Music”. A double disk compilation released on their own label – Souvenir, containing one CD featuring a mix of Ali and Basti’s musical influences spanning their entire DJ career and a second CD filled with an exclusive selection of some of the finest Tiefschwarz tracks remixed by their favourite producers and friends.

The first CD is a musical journey that is perfect for popping in the player and going for a long drive late at night and just seeing where it takes you. With tracks any where from just over two minutes to around six minutes it moves along at a very well structured pace. Sebastian Tellier starts off the ride with the “unplugged” like track called “Black Douleur”, just Mr. Tellier and a piano. Black Douleur is not the typical track you would find on a house music mix, but this is by no means your typical mix. In James Figurines “Apologies”, with DJ Koze on remix duties, into Pawel’s “Ceramics” we start getting into the meat of the tech house feel of the mix. The old school house influence is prevalent in the next track by Tuff Little Unit called “Join Your Future”, complete with 808 type kicks, high hats and a nice little piano riff that reminds us what house music is all about. The first real highlight on this CD has to be the tune by Cortney Tidwell “Stars EP” - Ewan Pearson mix. With Bjork like vocals, angelic yet powerful, this song climaxes into a frenzy of strings, horns and vocals that pretty much leaves you breathless, wondering what just hit you, in a good way of course. Next up is a sort of sign of the times track from 1979 by Marianne Faithful called “Broken English”, almost serving as an intermission and a social commentary asking what are you fighting for, because basically you are not fighting for me.

Quickly after our little reality check, we get straight back into some groovy bouncy tech house with music from MIA “Tanz Der Molekule” - My My original mix, Frankie “Bullshit” - Ziggy Kinder mix, Groove Box “Casio’s Theme” - MAW Flave mix which then brings us to a short little house groover with get this, a “spanglish” rap a la Rico Suave. Ralphi Rosario’s “Una Cosa De Amour” is a track you can’t help but bob your head to. Over the next few tracks the CD really picks up the pace gliding thru some beats and vocal samples that as separate tracks may seem so simple, but yet mixed together form an intricate bridge to the final stages of this trip. Ron Trent’s “Altered States” (Light City By Terrace), Francesco Catalano’s “String Of Life” and Flash and the Pan’s “Walking in the Rain” round out the journey in a way that on paper would not make a lot of sense, but again, this is not a typical mix, it is a timeless journey that will be listened to over and over again, it’s just that good.

Moving on to the second CD in the compilation, we are treated to six of Tiefschwarz’ top tracks along with six remixes of those tracks by the likes of Ruede Hagelstein, Shonky, Samim, Turntablerocker, Kiki & Silversurfer and Radio Slave. Highlights of this compilation include: Ghostrack, original and Shonky mix. The original comes at us with a funky bass line, double bass kicks and some eerie vocoder effected vocals, whereas the Shonky mix takes a darker techy angle still delivering on the original elements with an even more eerie vibe. No More Trouble, original mix edges on funky deep house, with a very cool effected vocal and a swinging bass line. The Turntablerockers interpretation of the track is on quite a different level, but still holds the originals elements, just more on the techy side of things. For some straight up funk the next song definitely brings it. On Up, the original mix is a short but sweet house tune that just grooves from beginning to end. Radio Slaves contribution to the remixing duties on Blow are nothing short of amazing. A funky electro house stormer, with old school rap elements and futuristic synth lines, this one does not disappoint.

I really can not say enough about this compilation from CD to CD, start to finish I honestly see it standing the test of time. The programming of the first disk is woven in such a way it almost seems like a different mix each time you travel through it. This is a highly recommended purchase for any true music fan, and not just house music.