Berlin confidential: 20 essential Ostgut Ton records that helped define the city’s techno sound

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serenity

Prosumer + Murat Tepeli
Serenity
(OSTGUTCD04 / LP01, 2008)

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The duo’s debut marked Ostgut Ton’s premiere in becoming an album-based label. Inspired by the Chicago scene and carefully complied of idiosyncratic vocals and analogue equipment, Serenity is a flawless house album. Released at a time where techno and house were developing in their own direction, the album is a testament of its time and a treasure for today.


dettmann Berghain 02

Marcel Dettmann
Berghain 02
(OSTGUTCD05, 2008)

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Much like Cassy’s, this is one of Ostgut’s definitive mixes. Its the producer’s first ever commercially available mix yet it doesn’t see him succumb to trends; he drew from his Berghain residency and asked upon friends to contribute exclusive material. If you want to know what the sound of techno was in 2008 look no further than this.


shedding the past

Shed
Shedding The Past
(OSTGUTCD06/LP02, 2008)

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When Shed dropped his debut in 2008, there was very little like it; the techno sounds referenced dubstep and brought with it a lot of surrounding hype. The year also marked Ostgut breaking internationally. Label owner Höppner counts Estrangé amongst his favourite tracks in the Ostgut catalogue. The album went straight into mastering – without any pre-listening on the label owners’ behalf – exemplifying the trust and freedom the label grants its artists.


ben klock one

Ben Klock
One
(OSTGUTCD07/LP03, 2009)

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Klock’s debut singled him out as a forward-thinking visionary and raised the bar for techno and the label itself. There’s an undeniable depth and maturity to Klock’s traditional understanding of techno. The 2009 album is testimony to the club’s influence on the music its residents produce: initially overwhelming and bold; the complexities and thoughtfulness unfold over time.


len faki 03

Len Faki
Berghain 03
(OSGUTCD08, 2009)

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One of the label’s most anticipated releases, Len Faki’s mix covers the broad stylistic range of a Berghain night. Bringing oppositional tracks of house and techno into a coherent context, the energy of the dancefloor is inherently within the record. On these mixes, all of the A&R-ing is completed by the DJs themselves, which further cements the open-mindedness of the label.