Review: EPM20 Ep2 goes off on an electro tangent here. On this one, we have veteran producer Cisco Ferreira aka The Advent teaming up with his son Zein on the ferocious electro dystopia of "Strangeform" and as if that was not enough, another legend, the one and only Carl Finlow appears next with the abstract, cybernetic beats of "Optogenetic". Over on the flip, we have someone by the name of Detroit's Filthiest (quite an accolade!) who is in fact Motor City stalwart Julian Shamou (Motor City Electro Company) known for his work as 313 Bass Mechanics or Digitek, and longstanding hero of the Midwest Freddie Fresh should need no introduction; his contribution here under the Modulator alias is the deep mind IDM journey "Promars".
Review: Those with a deep knowledge of electro and techno will be salivating at the prospect of More Than A Machine: Part 1, an EP that boasts cuts from such legends of the scene as Sterac Electronics, The Advent and Christian Smith. All deliver the goods, of course, as does rising star Client 03, whose EP-opening 'Regression Container' brilliantly flips between shimmering, deep space ambient and warming, tactile electro dreaminess. Those looking for more rugged and robust club fare should check Sterac Electronics 'Reinstated', with its' out-there lead lines and machine-gun bass, and the sleazy, up-tempo futurism of the Adveny and Zein Ferreira's 'Seven'. Christian Smith's deep, Kraftwerk-influenced 'Pressure Drop' rounds off a predictably strong EP.
Review: White Scar's goal is to release EPs that feature a club ready track from four various artists on each. On the first side, Jucid's 'Essential To Our Life' is a futuristic and energetic synth heavy techno track that is sure to keep the crowd pumped up. Zuul's 'Are You Neutralised?' adds a bit of mysteriousness and drama to this sci-fi novel soundtrack. For the second side, Desiree Falessi's 'Electro Samurai' offers a dramatic 80s tinged techno sound complete with the perfect amount of tech while Boheme's 'Spiral' wraps up the EP with another science fiction track that adds some fun to the sound. Overall, four superb examples of retro sounding techno with a bit of a trance and electro feel within.
Review: Massively motivational big-room techno truncators here from Germany's Terminal M. Towering over the rave with an august majesty, we kick off with Kaspar's Rocky-sampling 'Sunshine & Rainbows', which overloads the dance with extra-layered sixteenth progressions and infra-textured stabs. Then come Mark Reeve's 'Move Up' and Drunken Kong's 'The Final Night', equal parts devilishly energizing - Belze-bubblers - before a thoroughgoing sendoff from Zafer Atabey with 'Align', which has a paradoxically calming feel, post-drop. Four select cuts from an expanded 10-track compilation, the aptly named 'Bangers Vol. 9' is sure to pulverise you to mash.
Review: Adam Beyer's esteemed Drumcode resurfaces this week with the next installment in the A Sides series. We're already up to Vol 11's sixth part, and this one seriously means business. Take for instance Hungarian techno hero Jay Lumen's 'Astronaut' featuring the pummelling cyclicality of its muscular bassline that's reinforced by truly visceral kicks. Elsewhere, Dutchman LAAT (Elevate/Tronic) is sure to have you reaching for the lasers on the steely and acid-inflected power on 'Call Of The Tribes' while the enigmatic Zimmz will properly elevate you to maximum euphoria on the trance-influenced energy of 'Qualia'.
Review: Nicolai Toma is back on Subject To Restrictions Discs with some more arresting excellence. 'Phase Binder feat. Zorimira' delivers a blend of organic synth waves and acid textures that showcases Toma's evolution/ The three tracks are built on fine beats ranging from downtempo grooves to acid-infused anthems and pop-tinged house hits. Zorimira enhances the sounds with her unique vocals and lyrics, which though reminiscent of samples, are in fact originals. Adding to the collection, Swedish producer Vesto Comodo offers a remix to enrich the EP with his distinct touch.
Review: Construct Re-Form chief Zadig knows how to make rib-rattling techno. Here on his own label he offers a second Lost Tape EP packed with rusted synths and future techno dystopia. 'Tape 4' has broken drum loops and sustained chords locking you in rhythm and 'Tape 2 022' then has urgent drums cantering like a Derby-wining horse and unsettling synth loops. 'Tape 5' slows down to a lumpy, undulating house dub and 'Tape 6' gets back to frazzled synths, dusty lo-fi murk, and pulsing sonar synths over a rickety beat. Zadig shows his class and versatility here.
Review: Zakmina is Lukas Zeringis, previously spotted on Futureboogie and Minimood, with his classy take on the modern tech house phenomenon. 'For U' sees the up and coming artist link up with Bordello A Parigi and go all-in on the trance tip. Playing out like it's peak time at Amnesia, the A-side is full of sentimental bombast which will keep that summer spirit running well into the winter months. On the B-side, 'Take Me Back' dishes out more of the melodic charm with a sly shot of electro in the rhythm section for good measure.
Zarenzeit - "Soo Smooth" (feat Roger Versey) (6:11)
Melchior Sultana - "Nothing Like It Seems" (5:56)
Jan Kincl - "Sugar" (7:06)
Barce - "Stigma" (6:19)
Review: The young but already well-formed Deep Inspiration Show label continues its dedication to quality deep house with a new EP that comes as part of their international artist series. Zarenzeit from Zurich and Roger Versey from Arkansas open with 'So Smooth', a blend of rich keys, soulful loops and dynamic vocals over a sensual bassline. Melchior Sultana hails from sunny Malta and follows with 'Nothing Like It Seems' which features silky chords and a shuffling rhythm ideal for late-night sets. On the B-side, Jan Kincl from Zagreb delivers 'Sugar,' a fusion of house and cinematic disco with organic drums while Spain's Barce closes with 'Stigma,' a melodic union of deep house and techno.
Zero Days - "Neurotypical" (feat Casey Hardison) (6:04)
Zero Dayz - "War On Drugs" (feat Casey Hardison) (5:12)
Acerbic - "Acid On My Mind" (6:21)
Acerbic - "The Acid Saga" (5:58)
Review: Eddie Santini and Matthieu-F are have poured years of dedication into Resilient Recordings. Now their second addition to the catalogue appears as a split side shared between Zero Days and Acerbic, two newcomers to the scene, but freshly cut and spruced by their patrons nonetheless. 'War On Drugs' with Casey Hardison hears an expansive likening of the USA's war on drugs to a "war on mental states", suggesting an illiberal attitude which sows a repressive, anti-revelrous hell. Hardcore techno reaches its apotheosis on 'Neurotypical Consciousness', meanwhile, whose stuttering sixteenths and mega-compressed mix brings a decisive ploughing forth.
Review: The cultured La Bella Di Notte label out of Italy has already won our hearts with an array of fine reissues and here comes another one to start off 2024 right. Zero Origin's 'New Life' came in 1996 and is the work of Nathanael Heres, who dropped only a handful of EPs between 1994 and 1996. This one, like most of them, is much sought after and fairly pricey if you can find it. It is a raw exploration of stripped back house, techno and dub with well swung drums with an original, Se Da remix and more breakbeat driven Planet Earth mix.
Review: Albert Zhirnov's back on the Clergy label for a second time following his debut last year. Once again he showcases a love of fad-free, straight up techno pumpers for the main room. There is a sweep-you-off-your-feet urgency to 'Switchback' with its hurried kicks and restless synth loops all demanding you move. 'Distortion Forge' is a high-octane banger too, this time with rusty metal peeling off the bulky beats. The energy levels ramp up through another high-functioning tool in 'Wooden Lessons' and the frictionless forces of 'Stoker.' Basements won't know what's hit them.
Review: Albert Zhirnov returns to Clergy, where he has done great work in the past, and again impresses with his take on techno. 'Mogul' brings big drum energy, oversized hi hats and Detroit synth stabs. 'Viper' is then a skittish percussive workout with a tribal twist and 'Club Control' pairs things back to speedy, hi-tek soul that is warm and hypnotic. 'Komodo' closes out this classy and effective EP with some bouncy drums and well-designed synths that add light to the whole affair.
Review: Z.I.P.P.O's return to Setaoc Mass's Berlin-based SK11 imprint hears the Italian producer break out from biostasis, stretching his/its tendrils out across four world-devouring tracks. 'Eleven' trades formula for feeling, its pseudopodial tempos binding to high-suction mechanics. Mournful synth phrases grate against a heavyweight pulse, as 'Hypernova' submerges into swung drum programming and murky mellifluous atmospheres. Flip it over and 'Kaus' introduces tribal momentum and swelling chords that slowly tilt the record into trance-adjacent territory; closer 'Replication' tightens the screws, bringing the most propulsive moment of the set with its warped detailing and hard-edged groove.
Review: Z.I.P.P.O is an Italian born producer now based in Berlin but who brings plenty of Motor City influences to this EP on Mistress Recordings. It is one that holds emotion high up the list of things to get right while colliding both nostalgic and futuristic designs. 'We Need One Another' is an ice-cold and minimal opener and 'Last Hope' is steeped in melancholy thanks to wispy, lingering pads. 'We Need One Another' then comes in three forms with crisp as you like snares and kinetic kicks making for a busy rhythm.
Review: ZKY who minimal fans will know as one half of Cab Drivers now finds himself on fine French label Phonogramme with a new EP that offers up his lovely and warm analogue house jams. 'Love Train' kicks off with a nagging, wobbly baseline between silvery drum loops and fleshy bass. 'Instant Delight' has the sort of synths that bring to mind deep Detroit techno and they're paired with over sized hi hats and a serene sense of futurism. Last of all is the most playful - 'Punky Music' with James Brown samples, smeared chords and steamy vocals.
Like A Chicken In The Corn (Desmond Denker remix) (2:05)
Donkeys Don't Grow Here (Phanton remix) (1:29)
Exploding Dub Syndrom (Yurke remix) (4:12)
Dub Specie Ludens (Dubby King Knarf remix) (5:48)
DU BUST DOOD DUB (Istari Lasterfahrer remix) (4:31)
Danger They Say (Begritty remix) (3:39)
Review: An incredible roster is drafted for this very rare rethink and revisitation of work by the mighty Dutch oddities ZEA, a band most probably won't be too familiar with, and, as a quick Google will tell you, are definitely not ZE:A, a South Korean boy band who make decidedly more chart friendly (in South East Asia at least) forms of music. Instead, these Netherlanders are known for their Kraut, kosmische, post punk, DIY electro stylings, and those building blocks make for some excellent reworking courtesy of a cast from various sites of steeped musical heritage. Andy Moor (The Ex, Amsterdam), Desmond Denker, Phanton, and Begritty (Cologne), Yurke (Dusseldorf), Istari Lasterfahrer (Hamburg), Dubby King Knarf (Knarf Rellom, Hamburg) all offer their own takes on that which was already difficult to describe, making for a strange and beguiling collection which is impossible to say no to.
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