by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the long-awaited debut album from Roland Leesker, the German producer at the heart of the Get Physical record company for almost a decade and a half.

With a set of solo tracks and collaborations, he describes the first piece of work solely under his own name rather than one supporting others. “I thought it could be nice for a change to produce a few new tracks myself, focusing on what got me here in the first place: Music and the joy it brings, creating it. So this is me, Searching For Peace“

What’s the music like?

Not entirely peaceful! As it turns out, Leesker has a fine line in the production of house tracks, heavily flavoured with disco – and each of the cuts on this album make a strong impact. Along with the best house music producers he has a talent for translating less into more, so that what feels like minimal starting material becomes something really substantial.

To that end, Keep On is a slinky electro disco number, with a winning bass line. Let It All Go has a good, slightly slower disco strut to go with its sultry spoken word contribution from Dan Diamond. What Is has a flavour of Chicago house, nodding to a period that clearly influences Leesker – but doesn’t dominate his music too much.

Does it all work?

It does – especially in a dark room!

Is it recommended?

Very much so – a classy house album, tightly structured and delivering the goods one beat at a time.

For fans of… Booka Shade, Modeselektor, Gui Boratto

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,327 – Thursday 10 October 2024