Various Artists: Up and Dance! Updated

This various artist CD presents the Ostgut label’s attempt to combine modern electronic music with classic ballet. So the Berlin Staatsballet joined together with techno minimalist Berghain, and Shut Up and Dance! Updated is the result. Five different electronic producers contribute to this project. “Bridge and Tunnel People”, by nsi., with its jazzy electric keyboard splotches, is a whole 14:27 long, and “Symphony for the Surrealists” by The 7th Plain, which actually sounds symphonic, is equally lengthy at 13:02. In fact, Sleeparchive’s 7:40 “Perspective” is the shortest track of the disc. I cannot imagine dancers performing ballet to this music, but that’s exactly what happened with this unique collaboration. So go figure.