DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama - "Salasa Geometric" (5:20)
Bartig Move - "Asistencia" (5:12)
Tensal - "Esbar" (6:54)
Aocram - "Dreams In NYC" (6:41)
Review: Mord has put together a bumper collection of 17 searing techno cuts as part of its Herdersmat compilation but is also seeing up four at a time on individual 12"s. There is no messing with Part 41 which opens with DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama's ear-splitting, brain frazzling 'Salasa Geometric'. Bartig Move opts for a much more minimal and roomy sound on the rolling 'Asistencia' then Tensal picks up the pace once more with the rusty loops and broken beats of 'Esbar'. Aocram's 'Dreams In NYC' is a swamp, depraved closer for late night mischief.
Review: Stingray's Micron Audio carries the clout of its CEO, meaning you know you're going to get only the most uncompromising updates on the electro template. Galaxian is exactly the kind of artist you want to tap up for such duties, and he's sounding on fierce form letting the metallic tones ping around 'Overshoot' with glee. Loka has a captivating, jacking sound which somehow also manages to be supremely deep cover despite its fierce beat. CTRLS, who have enjoyed previous outings on Micron, bring a dense and knotty kind of machine funk to 'Transfer', and 6siss brings a dense maelstrom of synthetic energy to bear on 'React'.
Review: Gilmer Galibard has made waves on labels like Lobster Theramin via the sub-label Mork and now steps out with his own new self titled label. 'Novaturient' (Rainforest Spiritual dub) is a deep and hypnotic dub roller with squidgy bass and rubbery drums. It's perfect for those zoned out 5am slots lost in the moment. On the flip is something just as heady, with more alien sound effects panning across the groove, ambient pads drifting up top and the slippery bass forming puddles down below. A truly meditative EP for sure.
Review: It has been a while now since Gilmer Galibard minted his own self-titled label - back in June 2020 was the debut release in fact. Thankfully the man who has also dropped heat on the likes of Lobster Theramin via the sub-label Mork is now back with a trio of quite different but equally effective cuts. 'Anam Cara' is all sludgy sounds, muffled rhythms and distant suggestive darkness, while 'Henko' (Tapasya mix) is a bright, trippy and progressive techno tunnel that leads you into the next dimension. 'Henko' (Ethereal Reshape) then takes a more dark, hypnotic approach and is full of unsettling synth mystery.
Review: After the much loved Delano Smith remix of Gigi Galaxy's 'Interview With An Alien' turned so many heads, Det 313 label has secured three originals from the Detroit producer otherwise known to as Gary Martin. Each shows he has a unique approach to the art of groove making, with 'First Night In Lemuria (DET313 version)' slower and more restrained than many in the game - almost like a Sheffield bleep anthem pitched down and augmented with a delightful, prodding bassline. 'Spirit World' is the big room pleaser of the trio, with a bubbling acid arpeggio slowly degrading and re-building throughout and some lovely sci-fi synthery going on. 'Inevitable' is the cheekiest and cheeriest of the three, all sharpened hi-hats and swirling electro beats and breakdowns that reveal its simple but damn effective musical heart to all and sundry. Nice work all round.
Review: Ellen Allien's label BPitch is one of Europe's finest and surely one of the most prominent labels to be headed up by any of the women in the scene. It is Gotshell behind this last 12" on the Berlin mainstay with four cuts of dark, artful techno from the Columbian that mark a welcome return to the label. He navigates between chaos and tranquility, blending disparate sonic elements seamlessly across the tracks starting with 'Forest,' which kicks off with misty dissonances and psychedelic pads over a driving kick drum. 'Who I Am' ventures into dubstep territory with echoey vocals and airy synths. 'Fluctuacion Paralela' delves into ambient realms, while 'Acid and Die' explores harsh acid coils. Sintaxis showcases Gotshell's unique aesthetic expertly.
Review: Greyscale unveils its latest endeavour, the Spectrum Series, as a way to continue to evolve its offerings and this time it is with something that makes a vibrant departure from its traditional black-and-white aesthetic. The inaugural release features the iconic Lithuanian dub track 'Kasdienybes Sventykla' by grad_u & Eazystyle MC as a way of commemorating its 15th anniversary. It came as a double CD in 2011 but now gets a first vinyl pressing on a nice 10" slab of wax. The track itself taps into the earliest roots of dub in the 70s and traces a line through the 80s with its heavyweight drums and endlessly echoing bass topped by great mic work. A pared-back instrumental features on the flip of this latest crucial drop from the dub dons at Greyscale
Review: Strap in and prepare to go through the wormhole once you drop the needle on this new one from Gunjack. It taps into mind-melting 90s techno and Millsian synth work on opener 'Arson '78' which is a linear banger of the highest order. 'Plastic Horns' brings more unseating tension and anxiousness in the buzzy synth motifs and hammering hits, then 'Stormbells' is a perfectly entitled cut given the unrelenting bell loops and surging drums that sweep you off your feet. Last of all is 'Liquid Crystals' which is another tightly woven tapestry of malfunctioning blips, rippling synths and cantering drum funk.
Review: Mole Audio is a new label that kicks off with Andy Martin ft. Gavsborg's 'Plato & Caves' and some serious remixes of it which drill back to the origins of the dubstep sound. The featured guest here is a massive name in the Jamaican dancehall scene and a sample of his voice was the starting point for this cut. It has his full approval and is a renegade rhythm with real bounce, as is the Nit Yardman version. Dub War's legendary Bill Fuller steps up to remix fist on the flip then comes a dubby and minimalist house version from Martin to round out a solid first EP from this label.
Review: Off/Grid has impressed with his ability to cook up tracks that keep the tension going throughout. He's done it before on the likes of Rotterdam's Arts collective and more than once on Planet Rhythm. This one for another Dutch label brings plenty of texture to opener 'Down The Vaults' which has a fizzy lead prying between the sturdy drums. 'The Movement' is much more bouncy - one of those cuts that gets fists pumping and smiles on faces. 'Protect Ya Deck' is precision-tooled, acid-laced peak time gear for when the whole club is on the same vibe and the strobes are flashing, and 'Never Ready For This Shit' shuts down with some pent-up funk and brilliant syncopated drum work.
Review: Richard Brophy's First Cut returns with Wait For One...Then Three Arrive, featuring a bunch of the very best homegrown talents. On the first side, Carlow-based artist Tr One serves up the hypnotic dub chord journey 'Fold', followed over on the flip by Lunar Disko's Lerosa who's in fine form as always on the dark techno soul of 'Crash 2'. Lastly, Giles Armstrong presents his third contribution on the Dublin imprint in the form of a strobed-out slow burner titled 'Deep Is For Dopes!'. Tip!
Review: Escape the grid to Elias Garcia's subterranean world of mutant techno and oozing sci-fi dub, forever lost in the drip with IDS Recordings. Big Tip!
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