Memento

Booka Shade are Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, production masterminds behind the first 13 Get Physical releases. This is their debut full-length, originally released in 2004. On Memento , the two producers observe a healthy balance between pop appeal and experimentation, concocting an unusual blend of modern 4/4 sketches and timeless titles. These tracks take us on a journey through time and space, where, in the sprawling universe, elements from different eras and categories seem to meet and merge almost by chance. "Vertigo," based on an obvious disco groove, is swathed in a breathtakingly beautiful, cinematic soundscape of unparalleled drama. "Double Identity" and "Memento" pursue similar paths. Tricky, minimalist rhythm structures support the dense atmospheres suffused by short glimpses of Basic Channel and Detroit references as well as mysterious vocal slivers. Other passages are reminiscent of ravers attacking a Missy Elliot track with a vacuum cleaner, homages to '80s synth pop bands clashing with planet funk, broad psychedelic rock or even minimal trance, always pervaded by fragments ostensibly lifted from fast and furious movie soundtracks.