CHRISTIAN NIELSEN is a musician you would not immediately expect to see behind the SPEICHER / KOMPAKT EXTRA crest. We love to surprise your ears and have enjoyed for some time his outsider approach to any genre he chooses to tackle. In particular with “Hard Times” – a prime-time melodic monster that bridges the right transitions. Right when you need them to. Berlin via Belgium techno juggernaut LOCKED GROOVE has been on our radar for ages thanks to releases on HOTFLUSH and AFTERLIFE. “Dawn” is one of those magical tunes that loop along but evolves with every listen. You hold us to it that we think it could be the best set opener 2017 will have to offer. Intricate drums balance well with lush minimalistic melodies. Our SPEICHER series rapidly heads towards 100. Where it goes, only we know - so savour the flavour while it lasts.