Norman Nodge - The Happenstance EP - Ostgut Ton

The Happenstance sees Ostgut Ton finally allowing Norman Nodge centre stage and the Berghain resident does not disappoint, dropping three expert explorations into the lower reaches of acid coated machine funk that match the brilliance of his recent MDR twelve. The title track hogs the A Side with spacious aplomb, expansive acid gurgles dominating the rasping spinal 808 rhythms and rattling textures, whilst haunting screams of tension soundtrack the background. "Body To Body" finds Berghain's solicitor in more rumbling insistent form, with menacing acid rises attempting to suffocate the dusted jack, with a relentless "ptt-chh" adding some rhythmic oddness. Nodge closes with "Breakdown" - an all too brief exercise in stretching out rubbery acid lines to near snapping point.