SASCHA FUNKE — Planes In Reverse LP

Sascha Funke – Planes In Reverse LP arrives on Kompakt as catalogue KOM509, a 12-inch vinyl that marks the Berlin-born producer’s first full-length album in almost a decade. The record gathers ten tightly crafted pieces that glide between minimal techno, house, disco-inflected grooves and more introspective, home-listening moments, all while retaining the unmistakable Funke precision that emerged from the late-90s micro-house scene. Within Kompakt’s 2026 output, Planes In Reverse follows the earlier releases of Kotai’s Sucker DJ (KOM507), Gas’s November 89 LP + DL (KOM505) and Rex The Dog’s Far Out! (KOM506), and precedes the later Total 26 LP 2x12″ (KOM510). The placement underscores a period where the label is balancing kinetic dancefloor fare with more expansive, album-oriented statements, and Funke’s contribution sits comfortably alongside those varied approaches. Side A opens with “What You See”, a track where percolating rhythms and prowling low end create a subtle tension that sets the mood for the record. The title track “Planes in Reverse” follows, featuring a pop-bright vocal from Julienne Dessagne of Fantastic Twins that lifts the piece into an ecstatic, melodic space. “Flags” continues the forward momentum with a restrained groove that bridges the opening ambience to the more disco-house flavour of “Karat”, a track whose glassy tones feel lifted from the sky. Side B begins with “Splitter”, a hyper-edited collage of vocal fragments that injects a kinetic edge before the more reflective “The Park”. “Shadows Into Stars” deepens the album’s nocturnal vibe, while “Zockers” incorporates field recordings of Funke’s son’s football training, turning the moment into a playful, electro-pop mantra that hints at personal narrative. The record closes with “Kruso”, a gentle wind-down built on ticklish arpeggios and shimmering chords that breathe out the album’s organic tempo, never exceeding 130 BPM. For Funke, this release follows a series of recent 12-inch outings: the “MZ (Remixes)” on Turbo Recordings (2025), “Germina Speeder” on Kompakt (2025), “Halle Weissensee” on Running Back (2024), “RM12023” on R.A.N.D. Muzik (2023) and the “QAM EP” on Running Back (2022). Each of those records explored facets of his minimalist aesthetic, and Planes In Reverse consolidates those threads into a cohesive album narrative, demonstrating how his signature restraint can accommodate a broader palette without losing focus. In the current underground landscape, where EPs dominate club circulation, an album of this length and precision offers DJs a rare, holistic listening experience. The opening “What You See” works as a warm-up in a late-night set, while “Karat” and “Zockers” provide groove-rich moments that can be mixed into peak-time slots. “Kruso” offers a smooth outro for a winding-down segment, making the record useful from start to finish. Collectors will also appreciate the continuity of Funke’s relationship with Kompakt, a label that first released his debut single “Campus” in 1999, now framing his return with a full-length statement. The release is pressed as a standard 12-inch vinyl, presenting the ten tracks across both sides with the same sequencing described above. Its format respects the analog tradition that underpins Kompakt’s output while delivering the nuanced dynamics of Funke’s production. Sascha Funke – Planes In Reverse, Kompakt, catalogue KOM509, 12-inch vinyl, ten tracks. Tracklist: A1. Sascha Funke – What You See A2. Sascha Funke – Planes in Reverse A3. Sascha Funke – Flags A4. Sascha Funke – Karat B1. Sascha Funke – Splitter B2. Sascha Funke – The Park B3. Sascha Funke – Shadows Into Stars B4. Sascha Funke – Zockers