[K2]

After eight years of relative silence, Jörg Burger returned to releasing music under his own name in 2007. His work as The Modernist, Stardiver, Triola Echo Club and many remixes flowed from the techno/ambient/trance legend’s Cologne residence over the last years, so that time was hardly idly spent. In addition to the tepidly-received “Bring Back Trance” 12″ with Wolfgang Voigt, last year Burger launched the” Polyform” series, including the year-capping “Polyform 2” on Kompakt’s K2 off-shoot.

“Superpicture,” the dense and propulsive lead off, suggests trance may still be on Burger’s brain. Tightly threaded two and three note synth loops drive the focused track through a rapidly paced flurry of bittersweet tones. The serious mood and nimble, bordering on minimal aesthetic call to mind a more involved version of Jeff Samuel’s better work.

It’s b-side partner, “Polyform 2” is a different beast altogether, and a proper bookend for either end of a set. Burger utilizes organic tones, like a softly plucked bass guitar, round and resonating marimba and an indistinct tinkle, to cycle through polyrhythms that warm the air around dancers. The arrival of vaporous pads borrowed from his Triola palatte soothes burning calves at the end of a night or coaxes clubbers to take off heavy winter wear. I would hasten to call “Polyform 2” ambient-techno by any stretch, but its round edges do make it easier for dancers to get in and out of the pool.