Minimal / Tech House

Review: Stirring sounds from Marc Leclair as he reminds us what we're all fighting for right now with 'We Will Not Surrender.' The battle kicks off with his signature bounce and jazzy flurries on 'Crackerz & PBJ', the type of dynamite that would kick right off the middle of a Derrick Carter set. It's back by plenty more firepower; the springy disco glitches and waves of 'Touch It', the supreme boogie of the deliciously titled 'Cop Porn & Pop Corn' and the almighty climax that is the title track; big pianos, emotions and pure euphoria... That's what we're fighting for. Viability never sounded so sweet.

Review: Priku's Atipic Lab turns to local Romanian artist Cosmjn who returns in a fine vein of form. He makes no bones about his intentions and influences on the opener 'The 90's Generation' which is a dark, stark, cold tech beat that is albeit inviting. The hi hats spin endlessly and the bass is blippy and bleepy. 'Cold Touch' then heads off into the cosmos with roomy pads and an airy groove that is tinged with electro goodness. Both of these are timeless cuts that will work on a wide range of dance floors.

Review: Pepe Bradock's - Path Of Most Resistance is a seminal EP, and not only is the title of this new one from Direkt very similar, but his sound design is just as off grid and curious. That makes his tech house tunes all the more appealing. 'Past Present' is squelchy beats, tinny hist and warped pads that all coalesce around a dry beat. 'Path Of Most Resistance' then gets lost in the cosmos with circling pads and dreamy soundscapes layered up over another subtle metallic drum groove. 'Vitamin' cuts loose at the afters, with alien forms and speedy, overlapping kicks hurrying you ever deep into the night.

Review: You don't get producers any more versatile than these two Parisian experts. DJ Deep and Roman Poncet team up once again to throw down some quality house music on new imprint Tatum. DJ Deep takes over the A side with some low slung and dreamy deep disco vibe on 'Batu', while Poncet takes over on the flip. It is business as usual under the Traumer alias with the hypnotic and bass driven minimal/tech house of 'Batu' (yes, same name) with Latin-infused elements throughout. Perfect jams for the warm-up or afterhours alike - tip!

Review: Berlin-based imprint Rumenigge return with more abstract and ominous expressions in minimal techno on this various artists EP. On side A we have Dubfound, a Moldova based producer and DJ who heads up the labels Swoon, Nurum and Zimotik. His contribution on Trident Vol. 3 is 'PDLK', a deep and woozy number on the tribal side, which is perfect for getting weird at the afterhours. Even more Sunday morning styled tackle awaits you on side B, with the very disorienting groove paranoia of Amin Ravelle's 'Ladarto' where the Barcelona-based producer serves up something you would expect to hear during one of Rhadoo's infamous Monday morning sets at Hoppetosse. Closing it out is Dorothy's Dream with the funked up Sunwaves breaks of 'C'Hai Creduto Eh?'.

Review: Further proof of the current rude health of Paris's deep house scene arrives in the shape of another rock solid EP from prolific producer Mickael Jeanerret, AKA Janeret. The Bright E.P more than lives up to its' name, with the title track delivering a near perfect blend of bushy-eyed beats, ethereal pads, deep space riffs and fluttering, manipulated vocal samples. The EP's other original cut, "Rear", boasts similarly drifting chords, but also a tech-tinged beat pattern that's as bold and funky as they come. Rising star Varhat does a terrific job remixing "Bright", retaining Jeanerret's dub techno-inspired textures, whilst adding his own Syclops-inspired synth bassline.

Review: As part of their 15th anniversary celebrations, Sushitech has decided to reissue Mosaic Classics, a 2008 collection of late 1990s works from legendary British techno producer Steve O'Sullivan, this time on clear vinyl. If you missed out first time around, it's well worth picking up. Check first the early British tech-house-goes-dub-techno hypnotism of 'Cheques Not Accepted', before admiring the sub-heavy late-night skank of 'Touch Up' and the bongo-rich pleasantness of deep techno roller 'Breezer' (itself a collaboration with John Beer'). Also worth a listen is the chunkier and sweater - but nevertheless spacey - 'No Suzuki', which was originally released under the Blue Spirit alias, and the pumping, stargazing thump of 'Sac Magique' (as Wise Caucasian).

Review: Nick Curly's ever-present 8 Bit Records has always served up slinky and loopy tech house. The Mannheim based label continues with that trend here thanks to a new one from Oliver Schories, a venerated producer whose handy tunes always sell out whether on triple vinyl for Pracht, as was the case with his album last year, on a red hot 12" for the likes of Parquet. Here he kicks off with the dreamy deep tech loops of 'Monza', with wonky piano chords draped over the grainy beats. 'Levo' ups the ante with more raw texture and extra bite in the beats, but also a fine soulful vocal sample.

Review: The journey of intrigue on Secretsundaze continues unabated as they welcome Lisbon-born, London-based producer Silvestre to the label. He'd previously dropped bombs on Meda Fury, Diskotopia and Padre Himalaya, and now he's bringing an unconventional flair to the Sundaze crew in line with the ear-snagging leftfield club fare they've been tapping into of late. Cheeky samples, analogue synth wriggles and snagging breaks are all par for the course, but more crucially there's a warm and gritty flavour to all the tracks that makes them stand out from so many pristine modern mixdowns. Classy, inventive stuff from a talented producer on the rise.

Review: After a strong 2020 on labels such as The Other Side, Pleasure Zone and Damn!, Romanian artists Guy From Downstairs serves up his debut studio album Oceanic. Every bit as deep, wavey, and full of hidden secrets, across the two 12"s we're treated to tidal wave of soaking wet grooves. Highlights include the slippery filters worming their way all over 'Low Life Low Bass', the depth plunge bass/kick hits and soft harmonic ebbs and flows of 'AMC' and the gentle rolls and pushes of the 10 minute delight that is the title track. Take a deep dive today.

Review: Losoul is a real studio wizard. Someone who can cook up infinite feelings from a very finite set of sounds. He's rightly revered in minimal circles for his club ready 12"s and immersive full lengths and this 20th anniversary rerelease of his Belong LP on Two Dreamers is another high watermark for his discography. It finds him explore stripped back rhythms that are imbued with all manner of late night motifs. Deft pads, wonky samples, chunky house kicks and filtered loops all bring off beat charm and curious character to each and every track.