Beta Evers - Eruption

With this the third EP from the primary mind behind the Kommando 6 label, Beta Evers mightily drives a stake in the ground to lay claim to the currently rocky terrain of electronic music. K6-XX is adorned by the image of Cleopatra, our first clue that this record would be more then just another top 12" of 2005, but a strikingly potent one, with four uniquely different and yet thematically similar musical reflections. And too, as the black and white photo of Claudette Colbert suggests, one which will surely stand the test of time, and garner accolades and playbacks from the more discriminating ears of home listeners and provide some of the more dramatic moments in the sets of the more risk taking DJ's. Here too it should also be noted, the "Bangdabox facilities" mastering work has proven to take great care in the mastering of the records exceptionally deep grooves.


Beta is building on the sounds and energy represented on her first K6 release "Passion" and her musical growth is evident too, from the heady musings of the Crème Eclipse "Confusion" EP. Now here the "Eruption" EP brings something new, the ear catching addition of more sung vocals, and well crafted, and meaningful lyrics.

Putting her best foot forward (in 10cm stiletto heeled shoe) is "Don't Be Afraid". An alluring song, but one which ultimately brings the listener some real suspense, as you become aware of the danger that fills the atmosphere, at the same time you are being lyrically enticed to let your guard down. "Don't be afraid, you're in my hands..." you hear as you're musically lured into the web of the spider woman, and before you know it, you’re wrapped up and set to be devoured. This is electronic music at its finest, capable of inspiring in the listener a tremble... and shortness of breath... and goose bumps.

After that quantum leap forward, we fall back in time to the similar pulsing waves that are present on K6-II. "Move In My Body Rhythm" finds Beta straddling a bit of a retro feeling groove, but with updated sounds and acidic effects and processed vocals to make it not sound stale. Here she takes a fearless look back over her shoulder, but keeping the progress going straight ahead. The track is more about energy here and the groove is hard to deny, the staggering pulses, and chanting vocals are a call to the dance floor.

Now comes the (almost) title track, 'Eruptive' and indeed to me, it plays out like a marquee track, or like the final theme song to bring the close of a movie, as in comes the gritty bass line intro, the credits roll. The vocals here lay on the down low, muddied up in darkness, hard in their terse verses and accompanied by the chanting... "Eruptive." Still what seems to have everyone talking about this track, are that up from the depths there are signs of new life in the lighter melodies which spring forth, contrasting the marching back beat and aggressive bass, and taking the track to a climax with even more shimmering melodic moments.

At the point which Eruptive ends, you think, what an EP... and yet wait.... this is a 4 tracker, so there's an encore, and that is Destination Lost, which some may argue is Beta Evers finest moment on vinyl. All at once she brings together her talents, leading with a positively slaying bass line, layering intricate and complex, yet approachable and engaging drum programming, and offering a true elegance of ethereal vocals, bringing such weighty lyrics of a loss and subsequent ambivalence. Here are the sounds of taking a tough situation in stride with an eye in the sky, and sounds in whisper, that in the end, everything is going to be all right. It is truly a sublime moment, an electro chanson it could be said, and such a poignant close to the most recent and fantastic addition to the Kommando 6 collection.

Brigitte Enzler /Beta evers/ comes again here in the last Kommando Sechs release. Bad news for all we like the most interesting electro music (this label has been one of best electro label the last years). From the hit "don't be afraid" to the dark hit "Destination Lost" we can say that we've here an incredible artist. Able to produce not only dark moods, only the best music. A must-have record!!