Review: &Me and Black Coffee make for something of an Afro house dream team here. The latter has long been this sound's pin-up and has gone from playing in South African townships to producing with Beyonce and winning Grammy Awards over the last decade. Now deep in his latest Ibiza season, he unveils collaborative track 'The Rapture' (Pt III), a deep rolling cut with spine-tingling chords and a rich atmosphere. &ME then goes solo for 'LIFE', a shuffling percussive groove with spoken words and enchanting chords to make for a classy two-tracker.
Review: Analog Concept present the second volume of their dynamic various artists series, offering up four tracks of proper electronic class made to last. Aiming at moods of outernational escapism and determined space-braving, all four tracks here - from D5, Rekab, Amorsinfronteras and Ross Alexander - scratch at different spacio-tempaural regions of the universal surface. 'Round & Round' establishes things on a watery note, while Rekab's 'On The Move' contrasts this with a mixture of exploratory, deep-padded electro wonderment and a sense of measured, stoic drive: the ideal affect of most astronauts, according to NASA. 'FORM' assumes a polylateral shape, blending janky electro offcuts with paddy pensees, while Ross Alexander rounds things off on a similar note of determination to before, melding hard garage house with blissy piano-stabs.
Review: Hot Creations has now been rolling out the club friend, crowd pleasing jams for over a decade and well over 200 releases. But still they manage to unearth new names and potent sounds to keep people going back for more. It's Jay Farina and Quinzi who combine on two slammers here. First up is 'Pumpin The Junk', a fat-bottomed house cut with robust drum wallops, raved up horn stabs and a sleazy vocal. On the backside is a more tribal cut. 'The Buzz,' which layers up the percussion with steamy and sizzling summer intent next to a potent vocal that has got summer Ibiza classic written all over it.
Review: Romania's Floog is already well known for his impactful presence in the micro house scene with releases on Visionquest, Enfasi, and Atipic. Here he teams up with Brizman, the minimal alias of techno veteran Gel Abril, on Adam's Bite. The EP kicks off with the title track 'Lose Connection' featuring a bouncy sub-bass line, saturated drums, twitchy synths, and glitchy vocals. 'That Hook' takes a more dynamic approach with layered synths, modulating flutters, and whispered vocals and the 12" then closes with 'True Believer' featuring Linn Stern and blending cinematic atmospheres, robotic voices, fluttering arpeggios with skippy, raw drums for an anthemic finish.
Review: Italian producer Gemil returns with Planet X on Deep Down Space Records, marking the label's second release. 'Dance Phobia' immediately grabs your attention with its serious bass groove while the energy builds. A mid-tempo minimalistic house track enriched with vocal samples that add a house appeal, while the track’s tension mounts through the break before cruising smoothly to its end. "Reaction" dives even deeper, presenting a creative, addictive rhythm track with a tech appeal. Swirling chords and airy, euphoric elements blend seamlessly over a classy 90s house feel, leading into a moody alien melody in the second half—perfect for late-night dancefloors and growing more impressive with every listen. On Side-2, the title track 'Planet X' is an exciting and creative blend of sounds, even earning an approval nod from HAL 9000 in the mix. Italy is known for their wonderful history of ambient house. This piece has that legendary sound and appeal to be a classic while providing many smiles on the dancefloor. Lastly, 'Soul Killers' delivers an addictive house mantra that everyone can get behind. It's perhaps the most underrated track on the EP but is sure to find its way into the sets of classy house music DJs. Don't be a Soul Killer! Planet X by Gemil is a splendid EP, capturing the essence of house music with a touch of techno sophistication, ideal for both connoisseurs and late-night revelers alike. Welcome to Planet X!
Review: NorthSouth records has made a strong impact since beginning to release music in 2017 and one fixture on the label who has been featured on almost half of the labels output is Henry Hyde. His knack for throwing genres to the wind and just making fun, upbeat music that works great on the dancefloor, has his talents in strong demand. Check out 'Melting' for a perfect example, or tracks like 'Mire', which remind us of the enjoyment injected into dance music of the late 90s, a time where addictive dance music was devoid of rules and boundaries. 'Sunrise At The Pavilion' might actually be our most favourite as it has the deepest most unique should to us. Every track is a winner.
Flashbacks From The M1 (with Roland King - The Ferox Treatment)
Review: After the warm reception of his Baseline 88-89 release, Huckaby continues to develop his own S Y N T H label with another EP of solid, dubby house music. "Sandcastle" is positively minimal in its construction, with a clean groove decorated only with occasional spurts of delayed atmospherics and a subby bassline, begging to be slid under something else in a similar restrained groove. "Flashbacks From The M1" is equally functional, although the moody chord that comes scrabbling through the core of the track lightens the mood somewhat. Either way, these are tracks designed to slowly bleed into their counterparts, albeit without the dryness that comes with brazenly marketed 'DJ tools'.
Review: ILDEC's Dead Space EP features four heavy, futuristic tracks that are set to dominate the dancefloor. Leading with 'Just,' a robust techno/electro blend with a distinct futuristic vibe, the EP sets a powerful tone. '3030303' (feat. Torrent) follows, delivering a bouncy acid dancefloor killer with a captivating sci-fi narrative. 'Loop' takes a dirtier, sexier approach with its groovy, ass-shaking rhythm that verges on eerie acid house, making it an irresistible track. Closing the EP is 'Trontron,' a high-energy breaks track that crushes with its alluring, electrifying beats. Each track on Dead Space EP has a unique flavor. Are you looking to wow dancefloor patrons at your next DJ event? Then look no further than these.
Review: The latest Discotech release finds tech house stalwart Jay Tripwire stepping up for a batch of potent party starters. 'Jaybee Loves Old Shit' is precision-tooled workout for those who need a driving beat track laden with bouncy congas and a throbbing bassline. 'For Nathan' lets a little more synth work into the mix with some distant, dubby chords and analogue bleeps, but they're managed carefully. 'The Omen' is where things widen out more with cascading pads and strafing, low-end monosynth action creating a haunting, late-night mood which Alex Arnout jumps on to cast off into swirling, funked up after hours territory.
Review: Montreal alias and label Jump Source offer up their fifth future-facing dance cut, 'JS05', to the world. Though not a motif of theirs until now, the artist describes this latest iteration of their sound as "restoring balance", as 'Balance' would at least seem to suggest with its two-phrase phrenodies, tweezy topsynths and four-note bouncy-ball-basses. The ensuing 'Tonearm Extender' and 'Sad Salad' continue to squeeze out Jump Source's impressively superdistinct sound; we can imagine them as born of a future universe in which prosthetic limbs might double up as tonearms (among other gadgets, as of a cyborgish Swiss army knife) and salads are not consumed in leafy green, but rather pill form, hence the sadness. Sadly, this isn't COVID-19 nor pill-food; on 'JS05' there's no loss of taste. In fact, it's a wonderfully whimsical release, a gleeful future vision.
Review: If you've kept up with K-Lone in any capacity, you've probably clocked his affinity for minimal beyond the bassier tones he came up with and the delicate melodics he often deals in. This release on Aus Music confirms what we all suspected in no uncertain terms, carrying a hint of his garage tendencies but applying them to sleek, bumping micro house styles as classy as they are crafty. 'Wait 4 U' is pure stripped-down pleasure, warm and inviting with the sparsest of elements, while 'What I Want' tilts into dubbier territory, but why pick favourites? This EP is loaded with gold from start to finish.
Review: Leeds-to-Brighton dance favourite K-Lone (Wisdom Teeth) locks in a fearless new one for Aus Music, his first outing for the esteemed international dance music label. The first of an alleged two new EPs, this first instalment nods to UKG and house flavours, treading the more minimal waters of the otherwise deep and daunting-to-brave K-Lone ambit. We begin on the carefree 'Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah', a bounce like no other; it earns this assessment as such through its stark contrasted use of clippy drums and smeared vocal torpors, making for a dynamic dancefloor dreamspace. Then there's 'Broke Root', which sounds rather like what the name evokes; endlessly trippy and shape-cutting roots curl and furl underfoot. As ever with the K-Lone, noth tracks are polished and rounded with a sense of finesse that only a seasoned UK artist such as him can muster.
Review: Speciale 02 on Orion Italy is a collaboration between Ben Kaczor and Orion that brings together a remarkable mix of spacey, otherworldly techno sounds. Side-1 opens with Ben Kaczor's 'Gambler,' a lower BPM track that offers a refreshing change of pace for techno enthusiasts. The chill sounds and beautiful melodies woven into the composition create a soothing yet engaging atmosphere, making it a standout for those who appreciate a more relaxed vibe within the genre. Orion's 'Technocut009' follows, merging melodic techno with elements of IDM and a house-inspired bassline. This unique combination results in a track that feels both experimental and accessible, pushing the boundaries of traditional techno while maintaining a good groove. Flipping to Side-2, Orion continues to impress with 'NR2X,' an uptempo track that blends an analog groove with moody, trance-like elements. Its driving rhythm and atmospheric layers are great for deeper listening. Ben Kaczor closes the EP with 'Murano,' a track that leans into the more classic techno sound while still offering his signature touch. Overall, Speciale 02 delivers a diverse and intriguing journey through modern techno.
Review: Renowned Russian producer Anton Kubikov presents the Attic Eccentric EP, a showcase of his mastery in minimal and tech house. On Side-1, 'Last Days' delivers a moody, ominous minimal techno journey, rich with atmospheric tension. Following is 'C'est Anna,' a deep and dubby techno track that weaves in eerie, haunting elements, perfect for those late-night sets. Side-2 features 'Last Days' (Ferlin Crossroads mix), a remix that injects an upbeat, techier energy into the original, offering a bouncier, more dynamic groove. Kubikov’s EP demonstrates his adeptness at blending minimal and techno with a distinctive edge, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.
Review: Portuguese producer Lake Haze does not muck about with this EP which is a potent outing with late night dancefloors very much in its sights. 'Dune District' is a lovely analogue drum track with some fizzing, bright melodies and taught bass notes. 'Voltage Vortex' starts with evocative loonbird calls and then sinks into some sultry deep house, and 'Shoreline Circuitry' puts more analogue drum sounds front and centre and peppers them with woodpecker-like hits and jumbled perc. 'Electribe Echoes' is a more menacing closer with some dark bass and creepy, howling pads up top bringing a ghostly vibe.
Review: Mindhelmet releases always tend to cover plenty of ground and offer something for all heads. This 15th such outing is no different and has six stylish sounds across one vital 12". Kesh Loi opens with the brightly coloured and neon tech house party starter 'Sunshine Riddim' then CESM gets more direct with 'Without Party There Is No Paradise.' Elsewhere Max Stedeford's 'Cutz' is an old school flavoured cut with bleeps and blips and breakbeat laced grooves. Lemonphase's 'Clutture Soft' ups the ante with more punchy tech drums and Katia Curie & Nizar Sarakbi shut down with the twitchy, percolating tech funk of 'Go & Get It.'
Review: Los Hermanos returns with 'Remember Detroit,' a stellar addition to the Rawax Motor City Edition. Los Hermanos is known for creating big Detroit hits like 'Quetzal' and 'Birth of 3000'. 'Two Feet Up' is a straightforward Detroit techno anthem, big and emotional with soaring strings. A truly amazing track. 'Remember Detroit' captures the city's whimsical spirit with class and fun. 'Central Nervous Systems' channels Inner City's upbeat house energy, bringing pure, dancefloor joy. The EP's highlight might just be 'Path Of Tranquility,' a jazzy, mellow track that exudes smoothness and bliss, rounding off a diverse and complete release. Los Hermanos expertly encapsulates Detroit's rich musical heritage while pushing forward with fresh, invigorating sounds.
Review: Embark on a journey of mind expansion with Miles Mercer's latest 12" on Accessory Records. On Side-1, 'Outta The Window' is a track that melds ethereal synth work with infectious rhythms. 'My Name Is What' continues the vibe with an intriguing mix of twisted samples and driving beats, making it a standout piece. On Side-2 'Occult Explosion' wraps up the EP with a hypnotic blend of dark, occult-inspired synths and relentless grooves, leaving you deep in a spellbinding sonic landscape. Miles Mercer's new release is perfect for anyone looking to explore the depths of electronic music's more psychedelic and adventurous side. Blending so many genres, you just focus on the vibe. We think that's a good thing.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Dewalta's Meander imprint never fails to impress, with its careful curation of the finest minimal house and techno at present. Following up terrific releases by Swiss rising star Alci and Romania's Cristi Cons, the Berlin based imprint calls in veteran Canadian producer Colin de la Plante aka The Mole - for his take on subtle and understated groove music for the afterhours. While the deep and dubby bounce of "Set You Free" is decent enough in its original form, it's really all about Amorf's awe-inspiring rework where the aforementioned Cons teams up with right hand man Vlad Caia and Mischa Blanos for some drifting and hypnotic sonic sorcery. On the flip, there's a collaboration with de la Plante's Canadian homeboy Hreno (as Valerie Temple Boyd) on the tripped-out mini-funk of "Comb Over".
Review: Shanti Radio has released some incredible music of late, much of it towards the more melodic, atmospheric and positive end of the tech-house spectrum. This four-tracker from MOS neatly fits into this narrative, offering up warming, dreamy and picturesque tracks that effortlessly blur the boundaries between deep house, tech-house and progressive flavours. Opener "Gerda Kay" simply swells with sun-kissed beauty and enveloping melodic intent, as bright lead lines and swirling pads tumble down over a tactile groove. The Afro-tinged "Jalebi" offers stirring strings, toasty chords and locked-in grooves, while "Kama" bubbles along on waves of toe-tapping percussion, choral samples and fluid piano motifs. Rounding things off is "Kauri", another immersive chunk of dancefloor hypnotism rich in positive chord progressions and heartwarming bass.
Review: Alex Neri is a totem of Italy's house and techno scene - one of the trailblazers who helped define Italo-house in the early 90s and went on to found such institutions as Tenax Recordings in Florence. After a successful first outing on Wildflower with The Symbol Of Love EP Vol 1, now he's back with four more slices of sophisticated, trance-infused tech house steeped in Neri's heritage as well as reflecting the contemporary scene. 'Glory Ensemble' is a brooding, sensual cut with trippy synth lines and a catchy organ lick, while 'Lost In Paradise' lays the emotional pads on thick n' juicy, just how we like them.
Review: NTFO is back with more of that dance floor goodness on the Sintope Vinyl Series and kicks off this one with 'Richie Rich'. It's a future vibe with spoken words adding intrigue to the bumping tech beats. Swiss talent Aron steps up to remix and does so by layering in a brilliantly flabby bassline and locking you into a hypnotic groove. 'Collider' then brings more lightness with a skippy rhythm and nice lively snares over balmy pads. Closer 'Encore' brings a final flourish of intergalactic synth work and rueful atmospheres over sleek and stylish drums.
Review: Robin Ordell's Nameless Salesmen EP on No Time County Records delivers four tracks of futuristic techno, showcasing the hot new German label's knack for innovative sounds. Side-1 starts with the title track 'Nameless Salesmen,' a tribal tech house piece with rhythmic intricacies and a driving beat. 'Phrase Shaper' follows, blending 90s-inspired techno and house with a touch of psychedelic flair, creating a nostalgic yet fresh sound. Side-2 features 'Level,' which incorporates elements of 90s trance and Goa trance into a mid-tempo groove, offering a nostalgic experience. The EP closes with 'Rotor,' a techy, flighty track that propels listeners with its energetic and dynamic rhythms. Nameless Salesmen EP shows Ordell's ability to fuse various influences into a cohesive, forward-thinking techno release.
Review: The Wx Split EP by Petit Batou / Phoq on Stamp Records is a compelling minimal/tech house collection. Side-1 kicks off with 'My W," an airy, melodic tech house jam that flows beautifully with its smooth, breezy vibe. The Direkt remix takes the original and ups the tempo, introducing robotic sounds that add a distinctive edge to the track while maintaining its danceable quality. Side-2 opens with 'My X', mirroring the smooth, melodic nature of the A1 track but leaning more towards deep house. The Lizz remix of 'My X' transforms the track into a more upbeat house groove while retaining a minimalistic essence, making it perfect for late-night sets. This EP is a perfect blend of melodic sophistication and dancefloor readiness.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Berlin's Meander imprint has had a fairly quiet year in 2020, so we're happy to finally hear some new material. Further exploring Romania's fertile musical environment, it is now over to the enigmatic Pirvu, who first made a great impression with his debut on Rummenigge a couple of years back. He's since had some breakout releases on Club Guesthouse, Unanim and Understory. The 1.9.3.6. EP sees the Bucharest-based producer consider the ethereal aesthetic so commonly attributed to DeWalta's label, while incorporating his usual arcane and mysterious properties into this collection of tracks. From the mystical and evocative groove minimalism of 'C'est La Vie Tu Joci Parsiv', to the rolling and hypnotic main room action of 'Simpozion' to the swing-fuelled boompty-funk of 'Condimantsl' which channels that Cabinet Records vibe of old.
Review: The second Sound Signature repress of the week offers a chance to re-assess the moment that the wider world was introduced to the talents of one of Detroit's most loved selectors. Released back in 1999, the Essential Selections Vol. 1 EP saw Theo collaborate with a certain Marcellus Pittman across three cuts that still sound as vibrant today. A Side lead "Night Of The Sagitarius" has the loose drum arrangements and gritty low end that will appeal to contemporary ears, but it's also augmented by an almost chilling sense of melody. Face down "Selector's Theme" is the pair in introspective mood whilst "African Roots" belongs in the canon of all time Theo greats.
Review: Founded in Lithuania in 2021, Rayonas is both an artist and a record label dedicated to underground music. Rayonas 007 comes as a limited edition blue via and features an opening cut that reworks spoken words from the great Moodymann. The beat is full of infectious skip and warm chords while 'Lofi Voice' has a more summery and upbeat feel and fresh kicks. 'Boffie Break' is a kinetic cut with tight drum programming and some nice smeared pads for late-night vibes. 'Its' shuts down with some more spaced-out grooves and cerebral pad work for those 5 am sessions. A great EP with nice variation in the grooves.
Scan 7 - "Detroit Built The First Techno Museum" (3:35)
Inohs Sivad - "Sxerendade" (feat Charles Prophet Jr) (5:43)
EMICee - "Bounce Glxtch" (3:43)
AUX88 - "This Is What U Want" (feat Demian Monet) (4:18)
Scan 7 - "I Am From Detroit" (Dre Brown remix) (3:28)
The Man With No Name - "Devil His Due" (3:02)
Review: Hallowed Ground is a six-track compilation that showcases the depth and variety of Detroit Techno, featuring renowned artists and fresh talents alike. Opening with Scan 7's 'Detroit Built The First Techno Museum,' the track sets a sophisticated tone, rooted in the city's rich musical history. Inohs Sivad's 'Sxerendade' follows with a house anthem highlighted by sultry vocals, adding a layer of sensuality. EM-i-Cee's 'Bounce Glxtch' offers a techy groove, providing a perfect transition to the flip side. AUX88's 'This Is What U Want' delivers crunchy electro beats that will resonate with fans of classic Detroit sounds. The compilation continues with Scan 7's 'I Am From Detroit' (Dre Brown remix), a fresh take that keeps the city's spirit alive. Man With No Name's 'Devil His Due' takes listeners on a Drexciyan electro journey, adding an intriguing edge. Scott Avery closes the set with 'Sxerenade' (Low-Key Seduction mix), wrapping up the compilation with a smooth, seductive vibe. Hallowed Ground is a compelling collection for any techno enthusiast.
Review: Shonky & Alexander Skancke team up for the third release on the Berlin based label Stoned Pilot ran by Shonky. 'The Answer' is an excellent late-night jam that is seductive and sexy. So, too is 'XXX' adding some great Chicago style claps with a great vox sample in "Get on up!". If you like Adonis's 'No Way Back' then you are sure to like that one(who doesn't?!'. For the second side the title track is a more eerie romp into the unknown wild. This track is magnetic! Closing out the EP is '2019' that almost sounds like something that should have been on Metroplex in 1985. Robot-funk of the upmost! This EP is some serious business. We can see this rocking some serious dancefloors with ease.
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