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Sonar Kollektiv is one of the most essential labels to the deep house DJ, and represents one of the most forward thinking approaches to A&R in the dance music world today. One of – if not the – stand out artist on the roster is Roland Appel, who has risen to some popularity courtesy of his sublime 12”/digital release ‘Dark Soldier’.
The track showcases a stunning attention to detail and stands as one of the most beautiful examples of what can be done with an ostensible house style and approach. ‘Dark Soldier’ evokes a sense of impending danger with simple hi hats, sweeping strings and ‘that’ droning horn which sits subtly drawn beneath the mix before doom bearing vocals give way to a soaring string arrangement.
It’s fitting then that this should prove to be a center piece track on Appel’s debut album Talk To Your Angel which is all the more sale worthy for it. Fortunately it isn’t the only track worth attention in what turns out to be a listening experience very different from that track.
What is striking about Talk To Your Angel is just how much it feels like proto-house yet does so without any feeling of overt tribute or dependency. The soul and disco touches are plenty right across the album but so too are modern production techniques. So much is obvious from album opener ‘Inner Soul’ onwards.
The homogenity of purpose is purely stylistic though and proves to give more leeway to appreciate the musicality of each track. ‘Angel’ peers gently from the murk with soft pads and a soothing vocal from Araba Walton whilst ‘Lost Valley’ represents the most removed track on the album.
It differs courtesy of a chugging detroit techno groove that gradually picks up tempo and departs from grim choral samples and chord stabs entering to a more uplifting variation on the earlier theme. Whilst it bears little in common with ‘Dark Soldier’ it is the most uncannily creative track on the album beside it and appropriately precedes it.
Talk To Your Angel is a window to the future direction of house with its past resting peacefully on the sill.
