Mysteryman

While its birthplace may have been Stateside, much of the most interesting and innovative dancefloor electro to appear since the early '90s has come from Europe, and specifically Germany. Not surprising, given Kraftwerk's influence on American artists such as Juan Atkins and Afrika Bambaataa, but since techno is almost the national pastime and breakbeats are mostly left to the English, the quality of the material is remarkable. One of the more notable recent sources of German electro has been the Overexposed label, a sublabel of hardcore techno imprint Overdrive. Altough Overexposed appeared at first a dabblers' sublabel for Overdrive artists, it quickly took on an identity of its own, thanks largely to the work of D. Pier, aka Mysteryman, whose releases have dominated the label's release schedule to date. Showing a strong rooting in Detroit and L.A. styles (particularly Drexciya, Model 500, and Egyptian Lover), Pier's interest in updating the sound for contemporary sensibilities is obvious in his fusion of classic beat patterns with inventive syncopation and a sharp digital edge (particularly on his "Life in a Tube" 12-inch). Pier's tracks are also mainlined by a spry, sometimes subtle experimentalism rare in producers aiming their jams at the dance floor.