Kruder & Dorfmeister - The K&D Sessions™
1998 DE 1st pressing on 4 x Vinyl
Year Released: 1998
Genre: Downtempo, Trip Hop, Dub, Jazzstep, Chillout
Description:
The K&D Sessions is the second DJ mix compilation album by the Austrian electronic music duo Kruder & Dorfmeister, released on October 5, 1998. The double-disc album is not a traditional DJ mix but a curated collection of remixes the duo produced for other artists over the preceding five years, alongside two original tracks. This compilation cemented their status as pioneers of the downtempo and chillout genres, and it became a cultural touchstone for the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The album's sound is a masterful blend of relaxed, groovy rhythms with lush, atmospheric textures. It's a sonic journey that is often described as "cinematic," "smoky," and "laid-back," perfectly suited for after-parties or quiet, late-night listening. Kruder & Dorfmeister's signature style is to take a track, often from a completely different genre like pop or hip-hop, and strip it down to its core elements, re-building it with a deep, dubby bassline, hypnotic beats, and a hazy, jazzy feel. Their remixes are so transformative that they often transcend the original material, becoming new, stand-alone compositions.
The K&D Sessions features a number of legendary remixes that have become classics in their own right. The album includes their iconic take on Roni Size's "Heroes (Kruder's Long Loose Bossa)," which turns a drum and bass track into a serene, bossa nova-infused groove. Other key remixes include their soulful, slow-motion version of Depeche Mode's "Useless," their dub-heavy remix of Rockers Hi-Fi's "Going Under," and their hypnotic re-imagining of Lamb's "Trans Fatty Acid." The compilation also famously includes a Kruder & Dorfmeister remix of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "1st of tha Month," showcasing their genre-bending approach. The album's enduring legacy is a testament to the duo's meticulous production, impeccable taste, and their ability to create a mood that is both sophisticated and universally appealing