Members of the Oceanclub

Originally released in 1996 and then re-released with its attendant remixes in a two-disc edition in 2004, Members of the Oceanclub is an often beautiful, compelling listen that also demonstrates the potential benefits of collaboration balanced against a core vision. Gudrun Gut herself speaks in the liner notes of her experimenting with techno and ambient tracks, leading her to want to create a 'loose collective' with the name Oceanclub. The vast majority of her collaborators were other female musicians, including former collaborator Manon P. Duursma and Anita Lane, with her former Einsturzende Neubaten bandmate Blixa Bargeld the 'obligatory male joker,' adding his trademark intense whisper/singing to "Die Sonne." The music is very much of its time but thankfully, unlike much tedious swill that surfaced in the mid-'90s, Gut's ear for inventive singers and strong arrangements make this something that avoids the traps of generic trance or new age boredom. Standout songs include Lane's first effort "Yadiyadi," with her mantra-like chorus and an almost bluesy, guitar-synth wail hook from Gut; Jovanka von Willsdorf's performance on the obsessive "Diving" (which musically sounds like a precursor to Depeche Mode's Ultra), and Lane's other contribution, "Firething," which Gut makes into a grand example of near-nosebleed techno. A couple of songs are more aimed for floating than dancing, such as "Tide" with Jayney Klimek and the framing "Oceanclub" and "Oceanclub II" instrumentals, but there are enough odd jolts and sonic touches to the mixes that they don't become too easy listening. The remixes include both Gut's own work and that from various other DJs, notably Paul Van Dyk's monumental take on "Yadiyadi" and Thomas Fehlmann's 'flow' take on "Die Sonne." The Orb made another contribution in their series of dub-inflected efforts for "Firething," while Ellen Allien made a good early bow in her own career with a spooked-out dub take on "Butterfly." The overall re-release is further highlighted by the inclusion of three computer-ready videos for "Yadiyadi," "Die Sonne" and "Firething." ~ Ned Raggett