Techno Recommendations June 2010

Review: This EP from 2010 is an oldie but a goldie, which is pretty much something you could say of everything that this Motor City maverick has ever put out. It finds the former Ford factory worker in techno mode from the off: 'Ultra Fine One' is a pounding mid-tempo cut with airy hi hats and kicks that never quit. The whole thing is marbled with fuzzy synth sounds and a corrugated acid line that pries ever deep. 'Ultra Fine Two' is, in essence, the same cut but with broken beat patterns and different filters applied to the acid line. 'Mid 90's' is gloppy acid techno with warped bass and loopy kicks designed for 5 am freakouts.

Review: Stacey Pullen's Black Flag imprint has been in hibernation for the last eight years, having only released four records in its original phase - but what a return to action. Pullen's "Alive" is an old school, mid-paced jam that relies as much on the powerful kick as it does the building melody. It is slightly dark and industrial but neither sentiment are strong enough to override the track. Hi Tek Soul provide the remix with a shimmying, looser rework that adds the funk to Pullen's original.

Review: Technasia's techno imprint, Sino, launches its Bension series with a two tracker of energetic, relentless techno from Dosem & Technasia. The Catalonia based duo kick off with "Northern Response," a driving progressive anthem that is sure to tear up any of the big rooms it booms out over this summer. On the flip, "Aries" takes it deeper but still insists on keeping the beat pounding and the percussion building towards those all encompassing, post-breakdown drops.