Search - Dr Walker :: Escape From Cologne

Not a mix cd... but more than just a compilation.

Greg Retro | San Francisco, California | 06/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"....Dr. Walker is known to IDM aficionados as one half of the Cologne-based electronic duo Air Liquide. This 2-cd set (obviously NOT a cd-single) is a stellar look at the various artists and bands signed to (or being distributed through) Walker's "Hotel Lotte" and "xxc3" labels. This "barrage" of music styles is (in my opinion) quite refreshing, being mostly rooted in a sort of dark electro-funk. The styles careen between the Nightmares On Wax-styled ganjabeat of Cozmopolis ("Some People Love Ferraris" is brilliant), the minimalistic (almost glitch at times) atmospheres of LUKL, the arabian cartoon characters on acid trip-hop thunk of R$$F (unfortunately with only one woefully short track), and the deep IDM of R.DOS. Dr. Walker himself adds a couple of tracks to the mix, and re-works a couple classic Air Liquide grooves as well. (track listing note: Walker's track "Eigelstein" on the second cd is actually track 12 on CD 1, which replaces the Walker/M Flux track "Back2SpaceRock!" for some unknown reason). Also of note are the 3 excellent (and completely different) pieces from Timestretch Paradise - a collective consisting of Walker, Wulfmanson, Craig Anderson and 11 Nino (from Sisters of Mercy!). Gooey ear candy! For those that can't handle music that's not beat-matched 4/4 thump thump thump everytrackkindasoundsliketheprevioustrack techno-trance, you probably won't be into this cd. For fans of Air Liquide and dark and funky IDM, this cd is deliciously mind-altering and worth owning.... A barrage indeed. Open your arms to it!"