(Bpitch Control/Stomp)

Between Chicago and Detroit

Berlin-based wünderkind Seth Troxler was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan – almost precisely halfway between Chicago and Detroit, the birthplaces of house and techno (respectively). This unique geographical confluence can be heard in his music: although he describes himself as a house DJ, his sounds are perfectly suited to the minimal techno that reigns in Berlin’s nightclubs. The ‘wünderkind’ descriptor is apt not only because Troxler now calls Germany home: he’s also young (24, to be precise) and incredibly talented, having headlined the Robert Johnson on his first European tour. (Aspiring DJs: don’t hate on the guy – his stepdad was a respected DJ in his own right, and taught young Seth a lot of his tricks.) Amongst his other accolades, Troxler has now been tapped on the shoulder to produce the next installment of Bpitch Control’s Boogybites series. The results are mixed: after an execrable intro track that provides all the proof you need that DJs shouldn’t attempt philosophy, the mix proper gets underway with some low-key minimal stuff that gently bubbles up to more banging territory by the disc’s end. There are several highlights: Troxler’s own remix of Fever Ray’s Seven, which shreds the vocals up to interesting effect; the Royal We’s chatty Party Guilt; and Birds & Souls lofty self-titled track. In general, though, Troxler’s installment in the Boogybytes series is a little too well-mannered, too focused on technique, to really cut loose, and so is better suited to reflective home listening than the dancefloor.

***½

CHAD PARKHILL

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