2014年の名作が新装復活！

ベルリンが生んだ早熟の天才、Max Graef。2010年代、無機質なデジタル・サウンドが主流だったシーンに、埃っぽいサンプリングとアナログ機材の生々しい質感を持ち込み、ディープ・ハウスの概念を塗り替えた名盤『Rivers of the Red Planet』が、豪華仕様のアニバーサリー盤として復刻された。

Max Graefは、自身のレーベルBox Aus Holzや、盟友Glenn Astroとの共作、さらには名門Ninja Tuneからのリリースを通じて、ジャズ、ファンク、ヒップホップをハウスのビートへ流し込む独自の「ウォンキー（歪んだ）」な美学を確立してきた。本作はその原点であり、ジャンルの境界を軽々と飛び越えるエネルギーに満ちている。

今回のエディションは単なる再版ではない。現在の彼が当時の素材を再解釈した新たなミックスや、未発表の秘蔵音源が多数追加されている。例えば、「Running (Ancient Mix)」は90年代R&Bを彷彿とさせるストリート・ソウルへと変貌を遂げ、「Jazz 104 (Acid Mix)」では、10年間のキャリアで磨き上げられた鋭いベースラインとブレイクビーツが炸裂する。

2枚組のマーブル・ヴァイナルに針を落とせば、サンプリング・ソースが持つヴィンテージなノイズと、現代の技術で補強された重低音が混ざり合い、スピーカーの向こう側にベルリンのアンダーグラウンドな熱気が立ち上がる。見開きジャケットに収められたこの盤は、10年以上前の「パンクで向こう見ずだった」彼の精神と、現在の洗練された感性が交差する、まさにタイムレスな記録だ。

A1. INTRO
A2. ITZEHOE
A3. SUPERSWISS (SKIT)
A4. RUNNING
B1. JAZZ 104
B2. TAMBOULE FUDGEMUNK
B3. QUACKELJOCHEN
B4. OHNE ERDUNG
C1. MULHOLAND DRIVE
C2. DRUMS OF DEATH
C3. VINO ROSETTO (ALBUM MIX)
C4. SPEED METAL JESUS
D1. BUCHSENÖFFNER
D2. JANE (FÜR HANNAH)
D3. MEDLEY OF THE DRIFTERS (SKIT)
D4. OUTRO

Max Graef turns his attention back to his universally adored debut, Rivers of the Red Planet, with an exclusive Anniversary Edition featuring new interpretations, rare B sides and unreleased archival gems, out October 17.

In the post-minimal 2010s, deep house enjoyed a revival, with instrumentation, analogue gear and old-school sampling replacing crisp in-the-box digitalism. Max Graef was hip to this moment, but even his early releases on his Box Aus Holz label pointed to an oddball instinct for outfield dance music. His bumping, dusty club tracks were instantly charming, and seemed to operate according to their own wonky logic. With Rivers of the Red Planet, the Berlin born-and-bred prodigy progressed to a long player, creating an expansive experience with all the temporal, textural and energetic range you’d expect of an enduring, timeless classic.

The magic of the album lies in its impulsive balance of energies, between killer grooves, vocal collaborations and playful sampling decisions. Since then, Graef has delivered two follow-up albums for Tartelet as well as a collab album with long-time homie Glenn Astro to Ninja Tune. He’s also cultivated a fascinating sound culture around his TAX FREE label, with a lattice of projects with kindred wayward spirits. On the 2025 Anniversary Edition, Graef delivers a fascinating answer to the ‘what-ifs’ so many fans have pondered.

“I thought it‘d be fun to interpret some of the old tracks and re-do them with the present perspective and equipment I’m using now,” explains Graef. “I found some of the old stems, but in some cases I just sampled the whole original track. I’m not a huge fan of remixes, but it was quite a trip to go back to the way I used to produce music. The most intriguing challenge was finding a way to make those old tunes into something I‘d still play today.”

The new versions are as fascinating for their similarities as their differences. While still bursting with the flair of a versatile beat maker, they lean into a richer variety of moods and grooves. ‘Running (Ancient Mix)’ is a downtempo, dancehall-tinged dream that repositions Wayne’s wistful vocal in a street soul reverie replete with ‘90s RnB MIDI-harp. ‘Superswiss (Atmosphere Mix)’ leans on plastic slap bass and deliciously dubbed-out sax, woven through a laconic beat for the ages — the consummate swirl of chill out with teeth. ‘Itzehoe (World House Mix)’ gets into a subheavy, spring-loaded new jack swing funk, like Jam & Lewis meeting Smith & Mighty downtown and stopping by the juice bar for a quick hit of freshness. ‘Jazz 104 (Acid Mix)’ turns the heat up on busy, bustling breaks and bass licks that positively spring forth from the mix with a clarity and purpose that speaks to the progression in Graef’s craft over the past decade.

While you can hear the finer details of the new versions, they don’t diminish the magic of the original album. Like any self-respecting, self-critical artist, Graef views his earlier work with a mixed bag of feelings, but fundamentally the sincerity of his creative decisions shines through.

“It was fun to revisit the album,” he admits. “I was also cringing a bit, but it’s part of the ride to accept decisions you made more than 10 years ago. I was very naive and didn't care about anything. I admire 20-year-old me for being such a punk in that sense. It's definitely a nice goal to keep some of the spirit of that time and remember how to not give a shit!”

The Anniversary Edition is out October 17th on all digital platforms, and as an exclusive 2xLP pressed on marble vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. It includes a download card with original tracks plus 11 unreleased cuts.