- Beste Modus is a collective of Berlin DJs and producers who run a vinyl-only record label of the same name. Established in January 2013, the young crew have so far released three straight-talking house EPs that boldly used the classic club tropes of Chicago, New York and New Jersey (think Brawther, MLIU, Dungeon Meat). Their fourth outing is built from the same stuff—hearty basslines, gossamer pads and general dance floor steel—albeit with a more shadowy Berlin tinge.
Opening the EP is stevn.aint.leavn, a producer distinguishable by his tough take on house. "Precious" is his hardest track yet. Marx crafts a propulsive stomper from leaden kicks, rasping synths and a rumbling bassline. It's a powerful DJ tool—a perfect track for pulling a misshapen dance floor into line. "For The Ladies" by Cinthie isn't half as boisterous or as good, framing echoed pads and stock vocal samples around a pleasant, if generic, deep house groove. Ed Herbst's "Urban Bias" takes a similarly serene approach, though this sunset roller is a considerably classier, more seductive cut. Diego Krause wraps things up with the robust "Unite," laying woody licks and male purrs—"you're mine"—across ironclad drums. This EP has nothing you haven't heard before, but it further boosts Beste Modus' reputation as a label DJs can trust.
TracklistA1 stevn.aint.leavn – Precious
A2 Cinthie – For The Ladies
B1 Ed Herbst – Urban Bias
B2 Diego Krause – Unite