Kilimanjaro

In his near-decade history with recording and performing for Kompakt, Cologne's Aksel Schaufler, aka Superpitcher, has become synonymous with the sound of the label - the emotional sway and character he creates is unrivaled amongst today's ocean of comparisons. From James Holden to Foals, he has been cited as an influence and his remixes are cherished and have almost reached legendary status. Though it's been six years since his debut full length Here Comes Love, it's clear that Superpitcher has remained fully in the picture not only as a producer but thanks to a diet of consistent, rigorous DJing. Now he returns with Kilimanjaro - a full-length that emanates his rich knowledge of music as a producer. From the moment that Cologne church bells ease us into Schaufler's bewitching twist on dub with "Voodoo," he sets the tone for themes that echo throughout; enchantment, pain and magic. The first single "Rabbits in Hurry" has caused a rapturous chime of support from the club elite and proves to be more than that - unfounded disco dements itself with the sounds of the absurd in Superpitcher's sexiest signature flow. Diehard fans will rejoice with "Friday Night" which is a return to the classic Kompakt sound that Schaufler helped build, and when he teams up with Cómeme starlet Rebolledo it's a cosmic, hallucinogenic trip. Koelsch tequila in your glass, the '70s, disco, sex and the finest of drugs. However which way you look at it, Superpitcher has set up an accomplished sophomore release that maintains his roots in dance music while managing to have a complete disregard for genre and adding the involvement of acoustic instrumentation and vocals - a tough integration that works over and over again on this release.