Sascha Funke - Germina Speeder [Kompakt]

Sascha Funke is creating a long-overdue monument to an almost forgotten cultural artifact from the GDR: the Germina Speeder was the only skateboard manufactured in East Germany before reunification, released in 1986. It was produced by VEB Schokoladen-Verarbeitungsmaschinen (a state-owned factory for chocolate processing machines) in Wernigerode, and was thus affectionately known as the chocolate board. However, due to its technical deficiencies, it was hardly suitable for actual skateboarding.

Whether Sascha ever owned one of these boards is unknown, but the tracks on the Germina Speeder EP definitely roll better than the original. The opener, Blaupunkt, breathes the euphoric spirit of the legendary Berlin club E-Werk, while the title track would have been better suited for Dubmission parties at the Turbine. Sascha leaves the 90s behind with radiant positivity; Bo Knows sounds more like a 2000s open-air at Café Schönbrunn.

The EP closes with Mastermind, a high-octane psy-proghouse banger that, like the other four tracks, quotes the past but keeps both feet firmly on today's dancefloors. Or rather, it's dancing. 4:1 for love!