Irrereverent Berlin-based techno cut-ups
Modeselektor -- producers
Gernot Bronsert and
Sebastian Szary -- were known as
Fundamental Knowledge from their 1992 formation until 1996, when the change of name was made. They connected with
Ellen Allien's Bpitch Control label, initiating a series of 12" releases in 2002, which culminated in 2005's full-length
Hello Mom! As their visibility increased with each release and live performance, they began to take on a heavier load of remix work, including mixes for several labelmates (
Allien,
Smash TV,
TimTim,
Paul Kalkbrenner), as well as
Miss Kittin,
Knifehandchop,
My Robot Friend, and
Ninjaman. Second album
Happy Birthday! was released in 2007, featuring guest spots from
Radiohead's
Thom Yorke,
Maxïmo Park, and
Rhythm & Sound collaborator
Paul St. Hilaire. A contribution to Bpitch Control's
Boogybytes series of mix albums preceded the album by a few months. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide