Max Graef is revisiting a landmark moment in his career. On October 24, 2025, Tartelet Records is set to release the Rivers of the Red Planet [Anniversary Edition], an exclusive celebration of his universally adored debut album. This new package isn’t just a simple reissue; it’s an expanded sonic journey offering both longtime devotees and newcomers a much richer experience, packed with fresh interpretations, seldom-heard B-sides, and truly unreleased archival material.
Emerging from the vibrant post-minimal deep house revival of the 2010s, Max Graef quickly established himself as an essential voice. His early work was a captivating blend of dusty club grooves, the warmth of analogue instrumentation, and wonderfully playful sampling. His debut LP, Rivers of the Red Planet, perfectly captured the zeitgeist of that time. It pushed boundaries through an impulsive yet masterful balance of hard-hitting beats, intriguing vocal collaborations, and deeply textured soundscapes. Even over a decade later, the Berlin-born producer’s creation remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its unique charm and wonderfully wonky logic.
For this 2025 Anniversary Edition, Graef has dug deep, offering listeners brand new perspectives on the original tracks alongside that rare and previously locked-away material. Graef himself explained his motivation, saying he felt it would be fun “to interpret some of the old tracks and re-do them with the present perspective and equipment I’m using now.” While these new takes carry the essential DNA of the original, they explore deeper moods and grooves made possible by his evolution as an artist.
The revamped tracklist features exciting highlights. Take “Running (Ancient Mix),” which transforms into a downtempo journey infused with dancehall rhythms and wonderfully wistful vocal samples backed by ’90s RnB MIDI-harp textures. Then there’s “Superswiss (Atmosphere Mix),” a beautifully dubbed-out, chill-out groove featuring lazy saxophone weaving through a laconic beat punctuated by slap bass. In a complete shift, “Itzehoe (World House Mix)” delivers a spring-loaded new jack swing funk that feels like a fresh collaboration between the vibes of Jam & Lewis and the texture of Smith & Mighty. Finally, “Jazz 104 (Acid Mix)” showcases Graef’s growth in production craft with its busy breaks and driving bass lines.
Revisiting such formative work naturally brings a wave of reflection, and Graef admitted to some understandable “cringing” over his younger self. Yet, he ultimately embraces the raw, fearless energy that defined his initial output, admiring that twenty-year-old punk attitude. He sees it as a valuable benchmark: “It’s definitely a nice goal to keep some of that spirit alive.”
This Anniversary Edition arrives as a comprehensive deluxe package: a 2xLP pressed on striking marble vinyl, beautifully housed in a gatefold sleeve. Crucially, it includes a download card granting access to the original album plus those eleven unreleased cuts. This release solidifies Rivers of the Red Planet not just as a monumental debut, but as a living, breathing document reflecting over ten years of artistic development.
This essential collection is available now across all digital platforms and directly from the Tartelet Records store. If you’re a devotee of deep house, analogue-infused dance music, or simply appreciate insightful reinterpretations, this is required listening.
