Lucky Hands

Germany's legendary label-owner, remixer and experimentalist Thomas Brinkmann returns with his lucky number 13 -- another full-length release of unmatchable, patented isolationist dub-inspired techno. Lucky Hands is the culmination of action, will, coincidence and two lucky hands. With its easily charming appeal and intellectually-accessible funkiness, this release is both frivolous and heavy, and one of the best semi-pop productions of the nearest past. "Maschine" is a very diverse clash of light and murk that summons both Kraftwerk and Rammstein, sliding from straight dance to melodic vocal dub, then marching into the dark German woods. But sometimes even Mr. Morrissey can be heavier, as in "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," the Smiths tune here augmented and darkened by lovely vocals from Tusia Beridze (aka TBA). Even "Lucky Hands" stumbles upon Talking Heads skronky angularity better than the band itself. The album finishes with a stunning contribution from Marco Palmieri, who combined some of the drums taken from "isch/ROW" with the optimistic and timeless sounds from '20s swing and gypsy jazz musician Django Reinhard. Truly, it is not only luck, but experience and talent that make things happen for Mr. Brinkmann.