Gerd - Dance Of Enjoyment [Running Back]

Note: The last track of this playlist is not on this vinyl.

Finally, it’s happening: the “other” Gerd appears on Running Back. Not counting his remix for Losoul’s “Open Door” and not to be confused with label owner Gerd Janson. Based in the Netherlands and heavily associated with the Clone complex, Gerd has been releasing countless tracks and records since the dawn of the nineties. A true child of the “techno” Zeitgeist of that era, he is keeper of a dozen pseudonyms, project names, and joint ventures that tend to connect the dots between house and techno, functionality and cutting edge electronica. Gerd’s mindset is unparalleled when it comes to sonic research, inspiration, and imagination.

For Running Back, he decided to put his own spin on some of the label’s landmark dishes. Opening track “Dance of Enjoyment” is exactly that. Based on a cleared sample from Quinton Madlala’s “Shakira” and imported by early South African Kwaito and house, it is precisely that. Life-affirming dance floor fun or pogo time for the piano people.

“Let the Music Take Control” dials back the peak time a notch to be a party starter with its retro-futuristic talk-and-spell command and some timeless breakbeats. An extra DJ tool allows spreading the gospel elsewhere as well.

Speaking of that, the B-side takes care of that in the realm of an Italian influenced theme park. Neatly situated between disco and house’s appendix of “italo”, “Change Of Heart” and “Digital Illusion” are sugared and masterfully produced takes on a style that might never go out of fashion. Serious characters might be happy with the included bonus beats alone. All’s well that ends well: Gerd and Running Back are here to save a party near you!