R

R is the new album by Berlin-based producer and Scape founder Stefan Betke aka Pole. R stands for Room because central to the album are 'Raum 1' and 'Raum 2', two tracks produced in late 1996. Around this source of inspiration, all other tracks are clustered -- formally re-workings by Burnt Friedman, Kit Clayton and Pole himself, but all of them totally new pieces. R stands for Rework as well because while Burnt Friedman worked on the two original 'Raum'-tracks Pole got inspired to try his own hands at the old material. Besides Friedman's and Kit Clayton's contributions the result was four new Pole-tracks, all centered around the idea of room and space. At the same time, all 'reworkers' studied the source material, entered into an intense relationship, re-modelled it and thereby transformed the tracks into something decidedly unique. R also stands for Redefine because it's Pole's first collaboration with another artist -- his versions of the 'Raum'-tracks were recorded with D. Meteo (Submission) on guitar which wasn't easy as Betke says but nevertheless emphasizing the new horizons the collaboration has opened up and the creative potential to be reaped from collaborative production and bilateral feedback, contrasted by initial thoughts of 'compromise' or 'restraint' that often occur when a solo artist decides to work with other musicians. This influx of new ideas as well as the input by Burnt Friedman and Kit Clayton turn R into an extraordinary journey through sound.