Slope

Slope is a German electronic music duo from Berlin consisting of Daniel Paul and Honesty, the project name used by Daniel Paul Hoffmann and Hans Schaaf. The two meet in Berlin in 1996 at the alternative cultural centre Tacheles and begin working together after both have already been active in music. Daniel Paul runs the Cabinet label and produces electronic music, while Honesty also produces, runs a label, and develops studio skills.

Early releases and musical direction

The duo begins by making ambient electronic tracks in a studio on Neue Schönhauser Straße in Berlin. Their first 12-inch release is Planet H. on Interfearence Records, the label associated with Dr. Motte and Uwe Reineke. In 1997 they release their first album, No Cookies. Their sound then moves through house, boogie, techno and broken beat, increasingly incorporating jazz and soul influences, along with references to Roy Ayers, Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, 1960s and 1970s Brazilian music, native tongue hip hop, and Detroit techno.

Sonar Kollektiv and related work

Daniel Paul’s contact with Sonar Kollektiv leads to his own sublabel, Mermaid Records, and Sonar Kollektiv becomes a main base for the duo. A 1999 release on Sonar Kollektiv and Mermaid Records, Smooth, Filter & Electric 2, is described by the duo as part of an “organic turn” in their music and combines electronic beats with melodic elements. Daniel P.’s solo release Regulus, which includes Islands, and DJ Honesty’s solo releases Honeydrop2 and Yellow Sunglasses on Cabinet Records also point towards a more song-based approach to club music.

Key tracks, remixes and album work

Slope later release Para Los Pinchas, which is licensed for Future Sounds of Jazz Vol. 8, and they also produce a remix of Paul Kuhn’s Gateway to Crime for Crippled Dick Hot Wax. Their 2003 album M on Sonar Kollektiv receives a strong response, with tracks such as Basscheck and Your Time Is Up gaining attention from DJs including Ewan Pearson, Jazzanova, Gilles Peterson and DJ Spinna. In 2004 they release M - Remixes, with versions by Envee, Lars “LB” Berenroth and Yannick L. A later release, Komputa Groove, is also part of their catalogue.

DJ activity and collaborations

Alongside studio work, Daniel Paul and Honesty perform as DJs across Europe, often back to back, and their sets move between house, nu jazz, broken beat and late-night boogie. They also produce the next album by Alessandro Allessandroni for Crippled Dick Hot Wax and make a remix for the Swiss electro act Sequel. Their work draws praise from figures including Little Louie Vega, LTJ Bukem, Nik Weston, Alex Attias and Dublex Inc.