It’s been nearly a decade since Uwe Zahn’s last record. In a field that demands constant innovation, that’s a timespan of geological proportions. Most electronic artists would feel compelled to reinvent themselves to conform with current trends, but Zahn hasn’t.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. When you’re this good, you don’t have to settle for being a revolutionary.
Zahn has an odd but satisfying way of playing fragmentary melodies and rhythms against each other, but he never sinks to the rigors of the avant garde. His arrangements are marked by an ear for craftsmanship, and even the most unexpected elements come together in a satisfying way.
The sound design rivals Robert Henke in its attention to detail. The title track and “Gniddt” stand out particularly well in this regard. I’m tempted to say “C ll lt” recalls Lusine, but it’s really the other way around.
If I have one complaint, it’s that the sequencing is a bit haphazard, making this feel like a collection of singles rather than a unified album. Nonetheless, the quality of Zahn’s material is such that ten years hasn’t diminished its relevance one bit.
Ve Palor is being distributed by n5MD records.