T.Raumschmiere – Heimat

Purchased this early at Amoeba in Hollywood (they constantly have releases that arrive prior to the "official" release date, don't ask me how). A stellar combination of minimalist tracks that thankfully finds T.Raumschmiere toning down his electro-roots in favor of a more sublime, fragile sound, very much in vein of his Kompakt label-mates' releases. "Walker" is the clear stand-out, an odyssey through melodic, nostalgic techno, reminiscent of Sascha Funke and earlier Nathan Fake work. "Jaguar" is a less principled but more sprightly track, thumping along on its 4/4 beat and surreal flourishes. "Stoli"'s throbbing tech-bass-line is drunk on its titular vodka - perhaps the closest T. comes to emulating his old sound - but with a heavy dash of The Field infused into it. The rest of the album is a consistent, powerful blend of techno that's both forward-thinking (for the artist) and nostalgic of releases of yore for the connoisseurs amongst us. Essential.