A melodic techno balancing act well rounded into a complete package. A cascade of rhythm, airing on the darker side of the spectrum. Classy and straight to the point, Jens Lissat comes correct with his latest musical endeavor.
Jens Lissat started playing disco tunes at Star Club in Hamburg all the way back in 1980. Moving to the Konigsburg Krefeld in 1987, Jens was provided with a unique opportunity enabling him to spin records at a 200-year-old historical establishment, once a royal castle. The discothèque continued to operate until 2018 when it was finally demolished. Following these roots, Lissat is credited with one of the first German house records titled “Work the Housesound.” Old school lineage cemented his foundation in the electronic music scene later moving on to darker sounds of house and techno. The latest release “Fly Like an Eagle” takes groovy house aspects and couples them with droning techno rhythm.
The singular release packs a colossal undercarriage of deep, chunky melodies and mixes the great Steve Miller lyrics from “Fly like an Eagle” over top. Grumbling bass immediately enters as a well-rounded base to the familiar click track. A chord is struck with two even lower notes enhancing the already pumping energy. Well balanced cymbals cater themselves to the bassline efficiently and without over encumbering the tracks main aspect. Ominous stabs can be heard overhead adding a sense of mystery before melancholic vocals echo out, “time keeps on slippin’ into the future.” Open enveloped synth darkens the character further providing for a sure-fire dance ballad. Organ’s phase in briefly transporting the vibe in a trance direction. “I want to fly like an eagle, into the future” resonates outwards bringing the message to a completed loop. A note is dropped from the low end as the song drifts off into the distance never losing its pertinent groove. A final series of delayed claps completes the structure as a high pass filter stretches to the final close.
After 40 years of music production, Jens Lissat continues to find ways of progressing dance music. It is refreshing to see a more visceral take on melodic techno, focusing on the structural components while the melody symbiotically takes hold. An inspiring combination of nostalgic songwriting and fine-tuned sampling showcases the evolution of electronica and where its path may lead.
-Jack Plumb
Link: Beatport
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