Some people live and breathe music. Patrick di Stefano is a specimen of this special species of people, whose daily routines include writing for music-related webzines, running their own label, spinning other people's music on some of the finest parties and producing their own tunes in the worlds of physical and digital distribution. On „Beautiful Grotesque“, he is furthermore awarded the position of laureat.

After all, this four-track EP commemorates the 20th online outing by Berlin-based netlabel Pentagonik and is just as much a celebration of sublime minimalism as it is a festive pad on the back. And just like Pentagonik's prior releases have transcended the confinements of the genre by traversing the border into a more varied galaxy, „Beautiful Grotesque“ makes full use of everything at the disposal of di Stefano to come up with a luxuriously stripped-down sort of eclecticism.

While it may work against the coherency of the release, the concept of the EP appears to be one which awards highest priority to the individuality of its constituent tracks – if you look closely, these are four A-sides to four completely different releases. „Fando y Lis“ sows the seeds of Dub into its cold, slowly pumping beat consutructions, „Alchemical Growth“ thrives on an oldschool electro beat, which is gradually ornamented by a semi-irritating, gyrating quasi-melody and showstopper „She was in Madrid“ feeds from several layers of seemingly opposed beats interlocking in cycles of irresistible convulsions.

„Beautiful Grotesque“ reaches its climax in the closing five minutes of „Desejos“. Whatever might have been left of techno, has finally been grinded to dusty grains of sand, the music a piece of quirky electronica filled with smacking and sucking samples inbetween razorsharp hihats and uplifting mini-hymnal melodies.

Even though each composition wants to be taken as a unique expression, the continually relaxed pace and open structures of the pieces creates a sense of unity nonetheless – there is definitely no audible sign of obsession to be found here. Instead, Patrick di Stefano has managed to bring together his many interests into a focussed release, which presents him as a man who speaks an exotic vocabulary many will understand.

By Tobias Fischer

Homepage: Patrick di Stefano
Homepage: Pentagonik Netlabel