M.A.N.D.Y.

Body Language, Vol. 1

With insistent, chiseled beats and a hint of camp, the music collated by DJ/production duo M.A.N.D.Y. for Body Language, Vol. 1 on the Berlin-based Get Physical label could be likened to a vintage Olivia Newton-John video, and not just because of the obvious “Physical” attractions. Body Language, Vol. 1 offers up sleek tracks imbued with regimented physicality and retro characteristics that pulse with the moody current of underground European electro-house. Plus, it aims at turning the dancefloor into a sauna as giddy as one doused in early ’80s pop.

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Whereas many critically regaled German labels of 2004-2005 espoused a less-is-more doctrine, Get Physical leaned toward more of less. The tracks most characteristic of the label itself (represented on Body Language by Booka Shade’s “Panoramic” and “Mandarine Girl,” plus the M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade’s title track) repeatedly honed in on and adhered chords to a gummy kick drum; these tracks are not sinewy so much as whippy and a little adrenal-drunk. The remaining majority of the mix bows and marbles with machine-striated ’80s-flavored funk and pneumatic nanobot aqua-boogie. You may not hear as much critical dissection of Get Physical Music as some labels’ introverted productions, but who cares: M.A.N.D.Y. wants to hear your body talk.