Poker Flat Recordings continue their exceptional and prolific reputation with another collaboration between label boss Steve Bug and Cle.
Born a west-Berliner, Cle had his first DJ residency in autumn1989 at “fischlabor” bar, the small older sister of the famous tresor club, where he presented a blend of dub, rare grooves, lover’s rock, hip hop and electronica. Over the last three decades he’s become one of Berlin’s most respected selectors and producers, releases on Dessous, Rejected, Knee Deep In Sound and of course Poker Flat.
What makes this latest collab with long-time friend Steve Bug articularly mouthwatering is the addition of the legend that is Robert Owens, bringing his instantly recognizable, deeply soulful voice to the lead track.
Ahead of its release, we caught up with Cle to discuss working with Steve, his favourite party of all time and why people will always need to dance.
Thanks for talking to us Cle… how’s your week been so far?
It’s a pleasure! – the week was calm and without any troubling disruption, just the way I like it, thank you…
When you first started DJing you used to play pretty much every genre. Is that something you miss about the modern club scene, which is largely separated by genres?
Oh yes – I used to love going out and dance, but I almost stopped full on a few years ago, when everyone started to play just like the other one and the one after the other one. It just became too boring for me. These days I only go to a club, when the booking is promising a diverse musical direction. Tragically – this hardly ever happens.
You also used to play at illegal raves, which are now once again happening due to the restrictions of the pandemic. Do you understand people’s need to dance as you did then? Or do you think this is a completely different set of circumstances?
Dancing is a human urge – a way to let go of trouble and worries, to embrace life, to communicate with your inner self and to the ones dancing with or around you. Of course I understand that urge. – during the lockdown (and also before that) we danced a lot at home, to all kinds of music. The difference is: back in the late 80s / early 90s we had no dance underground infrastructure – we had to build it all from scratch, we had to find spaces to do that, and those places were illegal.
The clubbers today had it all, the full spectrum, and it was TAKEN by the pandemic, so now they have to find a way to deal with THAT. I just hope the kids at those illegal parties take good care of themselves and the others.
You’ve played at pretty much every club in Berlin… do you have a favourite party of all time?
Oh man – that’s tricky. If I had the chance to go back in time just once for a party, it would be definitely a Planet party in 1992 in the Koepenicker strasse location. Those nights were pure magic.
Is Germany still the capital of electronic music? Or has that baton been passed on to elsewhere?
It’s happening all over the place, isn’t it? There is so much output right now…. but I WISH electronic Germany could inspire a new, brave and more creative generation of producers, people who actually dare something and not just go for the sure shot.
Tell us about the new collab with Steve Bug… did you always have Robert in mind for the vocal when you first got together?
We just met at Steve’s and had a chilled afternoon, laying down some beats and bass and chords, just two old friends having a good time with the machines. When we had the raw mix down, we thought about adding some vocals to the track… and of course, being huge Robert Owens fans since the early days, we swiftly chose to send him the tune.
It took a while until we finally received the vocals – and were blown away. We then went straight back to the studio, to rearrange the original instrumental track around Robert’s beautiful performance. I’m still in awe when I hear his voice… goosebumps and all.
You’ve collaborated a lot with Steve over the years… do you have a favourite record you’ve worked on together, or favourite memory from your time in the studio together?
Well – it’s always great fun, working with my old mate Steve. But it’s hard to pick a certain track. I think our Apes Go Bananas series is quite cool, though. I think it shows how much we love house music and also displays our certain kind of humour.
Can you give us three records that were made more than 20 years ago that still sound fresh and exciting today…
Lil louis – Blackout
LFO – Nurture
The Human League – Wxjl Tonight
You’ve been involved in the scene for three decades now… is there anything you miss from those 80s/90s days, and anything you think is definitely better now?
Well – thank you for making me feel very old right now haha.
I sometimes miss the playfulness and the spontaneity in modern productions. everything is so controlled and seems constructed and serious. I also miss the open-mindedness of the promoters and the clubbers. Everyone seems to want it safe and clean. I certainly did not miss buffalo boots and flares, haha!
What else can we expect from you for the rest of 2020 and beyond?
There will be more music by Steve and me, also my first lady Eva Be and I are currently working on new material for our project LoYoTo and preparing new releases for our LYT label.
Cle [FB]
