Browse by Artist: POLE

Artist:	POLE
Title:	45/45
Label:	MUTE USA
Format:	CD EP
Price:	$4.50
Catalog #:	MUTE 9203CD

4 track EP. "Structurally, the music of Pole is based on abstract, irregular rhythms created by a defective analogue sound filter Betke uses, namely the 'Walderf 4-Pole' filter. These rhythms principally are defect frequencies lull of interference (in audio terms commonly referred to as 'noise' ), not unlike the crackling sounds of vintage vinyl, except for a harder, purely digital quality. Poles signature sound is also based on the production methods of Jamaican dub, and the foundations of modern composers like Steve Reich, Arnold Schoenberg, John Zorn, and Auto Lindsay."

Artist:	POLE
Title:	90/90 EP
Label:	MUTE USA
Format:	CD EP
Price:	$4.50
Catalog #:	MUTE 9213CD

"With the 90/90 EP, part two in a new series of Pole releases, Stefan Betke has -- for the very first time -- allowed vocals to enter his minimal dub environment. On the title track 'Slow Motion', Ohio-based rapper Fat John precisely dissects the fabric of time, disregarding the familiar rules of hip hop showmanship. To an equally inescapable beat, aptly striking every second he turns time into a matter of politics and measurement into a question of definition. By thus laying open the backbone of his creative process. Betke forsakes the anonymity of most electronic musicians and chooses to collaborate with other artists instead. Besides double bass genius August Engkilde (already featured on 45/45). 'I Can't Hear's' minimal beat environment features saxophone passages by Copenhagen resident Thomas Haas."

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Pole
Label:	MUTE USA
Format:	CD
Price:	$11.50
Catalog #:	MUTE 9216CD

"With his new album and two EPs, Pole has gone back to the future, back to his own roots -- from hip hop to techno and back again. Similar to the blue-red-yellow albums, which only revealed its overall idea in the combination of all separate recordings, Betke has managed to create a series which continues to evolve with every installment. And this almost architectural approach is accompanied by a fundamental musical change of direction. Also, for the first time, a voice has been allowed to enter the mix, that of Ohio-based rapper Fat Jon. Direct, subtle, unforced and forceful Pole gains more and more transparency, with or without its vocal support -- no clicks, no scratches, no scrapes... nothing dilutes the strict clarity of his new output. Goodbye 'Walldorf 4-Pole', welcome Stefan Betke."

Artist:	POLE
Title:	R
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	SCAPE 009CD

"R is the new album by Berlin-based producer and Scape founder Stefan Betke aka Pole. R stands for Room because central to the album are 'Raum 1' and 'Raum 2', two tracks produced in late 1996. Around this source of inspiration, all other tracks are clustered -- formally re-workings by Burnt Friedman, Kit Clayton and Pole himself, but all of them totally new pieces. R stands for Rework as well because while Burnt Friedman worked on the two original 'Raum'-tracks Pole got inspired to try his own hands at the old material. Besides Friedman's and Kit Clayton's contributions the result was four new Pole-tracks, all centered around the idea of room and space. At the same time, all 'reworkers' studied the source material, entered into an intense relationship, re-modelled it and thereby transformed the tracks into something decidedly unique. R also stands for Redefine because it's Pole's first collaboration with another artist -- his versions of the 'Raum'-tracks were recorded with D. Meteo (Submission) on guitar which wasn't easy as Betke says but nevertheless emphasizing the new horizons the collaboration has opened up and the creative potential to be reaped from collaborative production and bilateral feedback, contrasted by initial thoughts of 'compromise' or 'restraint' that often occur when a solo artist decides to work with other musicians. This influx of new ideas as well as the input by Burnt Friedman and Kit Clayton turn R into an extraordinary journey through sound."

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Steingarten
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	SCAPE 044CD

This is Berlin-based producer Stefan Betke's sixth full-length release, and his second release on his own ~scape label. After his duties remixing and producing such artists as John Tejada, T.Raumschmiere and Barbara Morgenstern, and a collaboration with Burnt Friedman and Kit Clayton, Pole presents music that could be architecture, with his elegantly spare form that reaches out into space. After minimalist experiments with elements of hip-hop and dub, Steingarten has hardly any concrete references. What has remained, though, is the minimalism so characteristic of Pole. Built around little loops, his arrangements dispose with any kind of ornamentation. A stark contrast with the album's title and cover -- which shows a picture of the famously ornate, gingerbread-style castle Schloss Neuschwanstein. But despite some funky grooves, this is no dancefloor record. And despite its simplicity, the music never comes across as meager or repellently cool. This might be due to the fact that Pole has found a perfect middle point between avant-garde and pop. The beats are groovy, but never overtly dance-oriented. Melodies are used as harmonic dashes of color, but remain fragmentary rather than sing-song-y. Some cracking noises pop up, but not as a dissonant element -- they just seem a logical part of the sound structure -- a structure that creates space and order. Things dark, nebulous and irrational are alien to Pole, so it's all the more amazing how well it nurtures daydreams -- and practically invites listeners to drift off on flights of fancy. There is indeed one thing that Pole's music shares with the visions of King Ludwig, who, in building Schloss Neuschwanstein, wanted to create a world for himself shielded from reality: Pole's warm bass and powerful but elastic production style conveys a feeling of coziness; it doesn't take on the outside world, doesn't mirror it or comment on it, but creates a world all its own.

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Steingarten Remixes 1
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	12"
Price:	$8.50
Catalog #:	SCAPE 047EP

Pole's outstanding album, Steingarten, which was released in March 2007, inspired friends and colleagues to produce a series of remixes to be presented on four limited colored vinyl 12"s and later on a CD. This first 12" was originally on clear vinyl (now repressed on regular black however!) and features a remix by Dimbiman and a mix by one of his label's artists, Melchior Productions. Both producers are well-known for their deep and soulful tracks. The third track comes from Detroit's Mike Huckaby who turned the track "Dusseldorf" into a massive dub-techno piece.

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Steingarten Remixes 2
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	12"
Price:	$10.00
Catalog #:	SCAPE 048EP

Pole's Steingarten inspired friends and colleagues to produce a series of remixes that are now presented on 4 limited colored vinyl 12"s. The second part of the Pole Steingarten Remix series comes as limited orange vinyl 12" and features remixes by Canadian artists The Mole and Frivolous. The Mole transports "Pferd" into a warm, disco house hymn. Frivolous' fresh way of approaching the dancefloor is reflected in his interpretation of "Achterbahn." Pressed on clear orange vinyl.

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Steingarten Remixes
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	SCAPE 050CD

This is Berlin-based producer Stefan Betke's (aka Pole) third release on his own ~scape label. Originally a string of four limited colored vinyl 12" releases, the Steingarten Remixes now assembles all tracks in the series on CD. Remixing Pole is a bit of a challenge. Carefully assembled, piece-by-piece, his seamless, highly-acclaimed Steingarten exhibits no gaps, no ornaments, no superfluous flourishes. And a closer look at the tracks' underlying structures confirms: any additions would only distract from their delicate balance. Steingarten's eclectic assembly of equally eclectic remixers were well aware of this tricky challenge -- and none have opted for unnecessary embellishments. With plenty of respect for Pole's pared-down appeal, they nevertheless imbue the new versions with their very own signature sound. While Betke's minimal approach sets the overall mood, subtle nuances add different flavors to the mix. Rarely has a remix project been this coherent. An assembly of reworkings by friends and colleagues, the resulting tracks achieve the rare feat of reinterpreting Pole's music without ever drowning out their singular clarity. While Dimbiman, for example, starts his version of "Achterbahn" with a bout of gently bouncing beats that evolve into a springy house groove, Mike Huckaby takes a more angular approach, yet both remain true to Steingarten's bare essentials. From Deadbeat's sharp, dancehall-inspired beats to Shackleton's sizzling dub grooves and Gudrun Gut's subdued vocal samples "a recited A-Z of girl's names," the resulting works refuse to twist Pole's music out of shape, but highlight, cherish and reflect their essence. Here, Betke's distinctive sound finds itself clothed in a wide array of contemporary electronic guises, from deep house to dubstep. And, best of all, despite their sometimes dizzying level of abstraction, all tracks are extremely danceable. Other remixes by Peverelist, The Mole, Ghislain Poirier, Frivolous and Melchior Productions.

Artist:	POLE
Title:	Steingarten Remixes 4
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	12"
Price:	$10.00
Catalog #:	SCAPE 051EP

The final part of Pole's Steingarten Remix series comes in red vinyl with outstanding remixes from Deadbeat, Ghislain Poirier and Gudrun Gut. Deadbeat moved "Sylvenstein" to the dancehall while Ghislain Poirier turned "Winkelstreben" into what he describes as "cosmopolitan bass and chunky digital dancehall." Gudrun Gut refused to twist Pole's music out of shape, instead highlighting, cherishing and reflecting its essence with some killer girlie vocals. Pressed on clear red vinyl.

Artist:	POLE
Title:	1 2 3
Label:	SCAPE (GERMANY)
Format:	3CD
Price:	$29.00
Catalog #:	SCAPE 054CD

~Scape reissues Pole's legendary first three consecutive albums, 1 (1998), 2 (1999), and 3 (2000) in an ultimate trilogy 3CD package, including four bonus tracks. This reissue is a deliberate statement reinforced by the numbering and stringent monochrome three-color cover art. Minimalism as a form of art. A statement not unlike Yves Klein's blue canvasses, a viewer might take it for a mere joke or provocation, but will soon enough find himself drawn in and devoured by the maelstrom-like expanse of intense color. Stefan Betke's music can have a similar effect. Here, reductionism and minimalism do not equal austerity, but a sensuous, almost baroque experience, with oscillations produced by crackles and bass that envelop the body and leave it vibrating. It all started with the analog Waldorf 4 Pole filter that gave Betke his memorable moniker. Inspired by the defective equipment's distinctive crackles, Pole took them as a starting point for his equally simple and subtle sound layers. Here, rhythmic textures and warmly pulsing bass lines join in play, and, at least from 2, experience a slow shift towards minimal dub. Pole's music has a unique way of oscillating between euphony and avant-garde, between pop and experiment. While many of his electronic avant-garde peers swore off all danceable elements during the latter half of the 1990s, Pole decided to walk the edge, championing both radical reductionism and groovy, almost psychedelic dream states. Tracks like "Kirschenessen" or "Hafen" give ample proof that his music does not exhaust itself in mere functionalism, but encourages new and poetic associations. By now, all this is history. Like many genres and movements before it, techno has been declared dead more than once. Yet this does not matter to Pole one iota. He never restricted his trademark sound to techno or any other genre and his trilogy, a classic already, still resonates in contemporary electronic music. Pole's unmistakable crackles have infiltrated mainstream pop and even the burgeoning dubstep scene. Now, with the reissue of his first three albums, listeners get a chance to experience these three records as a coherent entity and explore this defining benchmark in the history of electronic music.

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