Jeff Samuel - Relapse

With Dead Man’s Hand - Poker Flat Volume VI, the label sharpened its edge. By early 2008, Poker Flat had already carved out a reputation for precision-crafted club music, but this compilation revealed a darker glint beneath the surface. Curated by Steve Bug, the first CD laid down a hand of standout originals and sharp remixes. From the stripped suspense of “Behind the Curtains” by Steve Bug & Clé to Martin Landsky’s sleek “Man High,” every track was chosen with intent. Redshape’s haunting remix of Simon Flower’s “The Whisper Had It” and Sebo K’s version of “Let Me Dance” added further depth, keeping one foot in the shadows. The second disc, mixed by Clé of Märtini Brös, moved with fluidity, threading together a deeper and more atmospheric side of the label. Raudive’s “Needles” (Steve Bug Remix), Ryo Murakami’s “Nightmare,” and Guido Schneider & Florian Schirmacher’s “Organic” all made an appearance, before drifting into the surreal finale with Märtini Brös’ “Karawane.” Named after the infamous poker hand of black aces and eights, the one Wild Bill Hickok was said to be holding when he was shot, the compilation embraced a sense of risk, drama and high-stakes elegance that suited the Poker Flat catalog perfectly.