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Ostgut starts 2011 with the fantastic debut album by Berlin-based Dutch producer and DJ Steffi. Having become a resident DJ at Panorama Bar, Steffi has managed to firmly establish herself as a force to be reckoned with on the tech-house scene. A long period of intense experimentation and self-discovery led to this sensitive, instinctive and extremely insightful long-player. Carefully mixing the old and new, warm analog synth and drum textures flow in unison with modern studio finesse over nine tracks, each telling their own story. Ethereal, hypnotic passages and positive, uplifting messages to the dancefloor meet temperate, slow-building vibes and heart-wrenching moments. Often simplicity blurs into satisfying complexity. Moments of sheer joy arise against the backdrop of a rich and elegantly controlled exploration into her own sound.

Opening track "Lilo“ is a soothing, harmonious forecast of this wonderful deep dance music album; swirling, and reduced. A warm solid state thump drives it however, and it becomes clear that the beauty in Steffi's house music lies in this meeting of classic, emotion-drenched melodies and bold, earthy drums. The tactile "Piem“ rises and climbs with a strong late-night intensity before "Yours“ featuring Virginia come fore. Steffi recently collaborated with Virginia on the excellent "Reasons“ EP for Underground Quality, and now her smooth and distinctive voice shines in this powerful recording. Striking a clever balance between positive, addictive pop and and straight up club energy this vocal-led future-classic is a loud and proud testament to how far Steffi has come. "Arms“ is a string-led jack track, a slow burner in the best sense, and all the better for it. Similarly "Manic Moods“ sells itself on the strength of its handful of carefully crafted analog synth lines. The urgent, sci-fi tones and extended, soaring strings of "Mine“ bring it back back to the club as heady images of warehouses past, present and future flash before us. This retro-futurism is then taken further with the muscular "Nightspacer“, whose NY house roots are fleshed out by blossoming pads and an unstoppable throbbing, traveling vibe. Drawing the album towards its close, the deeply spaced "You Own My Mind“, featuring Virginia's beautifully smooth vocals washes over and wraps around us in a calming and gently melancholic blanket of colorful sound.

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