Back in stock: Minimal/Tech House

Review: There are not too many house and techno labels in the United States that can boast quite the discography and international success that the Brooklyn based Scissor & Thread label can. For over a decade now, the busy label has kept the quality up to the high standards the label set when starting. A big part of that quality is having Frank & Tony on board through the label's history. Ethos is their new full-length album that, spread across a double pack of wax, with tracks mostly kept under close guard, except the opener 'Olympia'. Make no mistake though, from the rumours and whispers we've heard already, it looks like being a big hit.

Review: he North Macedonia label Pirka releases its fifth album and features four excellent tracks by the longtime producer Vincent Casanova. Things begin with the addictive melodic burner 'Mikey's Attic", which has a great balance of being futuristic with being retro enough to get everyone to the dancefloor. 'Euphoria' is bit more reserved but deeper. The track sneaks up on you as rhythmic elements continue to change and evolve under this excellent bassline. The track is carefree and fun that makes for an enjoyable time. On Side two, 'Strike' is more up-tempo jam that we cannot get enough of while 'Lush Void' might be our favorite of the bunch. This spacey romp into the cosmos is not only beautiful but it feels in constant motion like you are on a magic carpet ride. This EP has something for everyone!

Review: Lew Lewis is an artist who first rose up through the ranks back in the 1990s. He has his own labels Poodle Recordings and Nu Poodle Breaks back when UK tech house was right at the vanguard and never sounding better. He debuted himself in 1999 on Swag and now a couple of gems from that time have been found in his archives that never got released back then. They sound right on point with their elastic baselines and metallic drum textures all combing for a punchy, bumpy sound that will get you in a sweat in no time.

Review: Keinemusik have made a shocking wave on the international minimal house and techno scene. Two of its core members and executive officers, Adam Port and Alan Dixon, here present a brand new collab single: 'Forms Of Love' is so emotive that its piano, drums, strings and synth flourishes register deep in the gut, the sonic equivalent of a deep bacteria detox. Recalling the slow mournful builds of Rising Sun blended with the of live drumwork Harvey Sutherland or Mim Suleiman, the track is surely our next set-closer go-to.

Review: The Dutch folks at Kalahari Oyster Cult sure like to serve up music that melts minds at 5 am, or they do if this new one from Olsvanger is anything to go by. It is a futuristic techno exploration with 'Grand Slamming' opening up with a mix of sleek linear drums, pulsing sonar synths and supersized hi-hats that bring the energy. 'Paranoweed' is a pure and unadulterated looper that undulates with a subtle funk and 'Bubble Toy' brings some deft sound designs and minimal synths to sci-fi effects and more sweet rolling beats. 'Quadi B' closes out and sounds like a tense and paranoid underwater search for malevolent aquatic life forms.

Review: E.T.I might not be the best-known act to emerge from the breaks and acid-loving San Francisco scene of the 1990s, but their slim catalogue is nevertheless full of gems. The people behind AGT Records are clearly fans, because they've decided to reissue one of the trio's most potent singles, 1999's 'Lookout'. What we get is the same two mixes featured on the hard-to-find original release: the chunky, funky bass-propelled, breakbeat house masterclass that is the 'Tha Luv Bomb' mix (listen out for the wonderfully drowsy, loved-up synth riffs), and the pacey, P-funk-influenced 'On Tha Fly' mix, where short vocoder vocal snippets, crispy funk guitar licks and boisterous bass catch the ear.

Review: Dojo Zone is said to be "a local lurker of the backstreets of Santa Catalina" as well as being a deep digger with a fine vinyl collection and a penchant for taps. He has knows a thing or two about crafting some nice fresh minimal sounds, as evidenced here for the Santa Cata label from Spain. 'Mediterranean Express' is as frictionless as they come, with nice jacked drums and balmy pads, then 'Houdini's Hauz' gets more playful with some blurting synths and smeared pads under nice percussive patter. 'Encuentro Tropical is a steamy and cruising groove with irresistibly warm bass and 'Viaje Del 23' (Isla mxi) shuts down with some topical cosmic vibes.

Review: Purple Print's musical universe expands once more here with a ninth outing on wax and a fine various artists selection to mark the occasion, with Minube appearing on each of these collabs. It's a wonky and afterparty-tinged minimal jaunt from him in solo mode to open up with as 'Zaha Zhivai' gets you locked into a slinky groove. He then inks with Rebreanu for the marching bleeps and squeaks of 'Bro Disch Tut' and with D I N he makes 'Wormhole', a dry and dusty final tech shuffler before a fine work with Andrey Djackonda in the form of the abstract funk of 'Can't Stop The Time' shuts down.