Brad Knutson

After a bit of a tease earlier this year when they both played Smart Bar mere weeks apart, Ellen Allien and Apparat officially return as a duo to promote their brilliant collaboration, "Orchestra of Bubbles." Together, Allien and Apparat are a certifiable Berlin-techno supergroup. In addition to being two of the best producers in the game, they run two of the hottest imprints in the scene. Allien runs her label, BPitch Control, and Apparat calls the shots at Shitkatapult Records with fellow Berlin cohort T. Raumschmiere. Not surprisingly, the joint effort of these two German techno icons resulted in one of finest releases of the year. While Apparat leans more toward the abstract IDM side of things and Allien tends more toward the dance end of the spectrum, together they're the perfect balance of brainy headphone-depths and disco-floor brawn. For this appearance, the two will be collaborating on a rare live set with vocals provided by the Allien herself.

Ellen Allien and Apparat perform, with Mark Verbos live and Drifte, at Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, on September 3. $10 presale, $15 at the door.

(2006-08-29)

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