Back catalogue: Techno

Review: Early 1990s classic The Green Album features iconic Orbital tracks like their breakthrough single 'Chime' and the legendary comedown tune 'Belfast.' After the success of 'Chime,' Pete Tong signed Orbital to London/FFRR Records and granted them the creative freedom to craft an album beyond the typical rave formula. Influenced by Kraftwerk and Cabaret Voltaire, the Hartnoll brothers came through and then some as they aimed to create a fully immersive and innovative album full of ambition which helped the duo become pioneers in electronic music, influencing artists from Bjork to Bicep and collaborating with figures like Madonna and Kraftwerk. Their second self-titled album solidified their visionary status, while their groundbreaking live performances are also by now the stuff of legend.

Review: Orbital remain titans of the global electronic scene which is no doubt why their self-titled album from 1991 now gets mastered and reissued for this year's Record Store Day. A pioneering work in electronic music, this landmark debut is a rich world of driving drums, hypnotic melodies, and intricate soundscapes. From the propulsive energy of the seminal 'Chime' to the dreamy ambience of 'Belfast,' each track showcases the duo's mastery of rhythm and texture. Orbital's use of innovative sampling techniques and atmospheric synths creates a distinct sonic universe that still stands them apart and helps make this a timeless classic that has influenced generations of electronic artists ever since.

Review: This is Freestyle free from any style.
There is no need for the disembodied voice telling you THIS IS HOUSE.
It is simply felt and known.

{Every kick.
Every arpeggio.
Every bass note.
Experienced through the prism of now.
Ribs rattle from the heart center to the endless reaches of consciousness.}

The racks are stacked high beyond the heavens as the Filter Queen speaks of love without words.
Bound to no earthly constructs, beholden to no laws.
This is the joyous sound of overground resistance.

Review: Theo Parrish's venerated Sound Signature label hits the notable milestone of 100 releases with this new double album, Skin Breaker, from Howard Thomas. It is one inspired by the artist's formative years spent watching sci-fi films and soaking up 80s beat tracks. Both of those aspects are folded into the record which is a hugely original take on house and techno. Tracks collide dusty drums with gurgling synths, deep space pads with caustic basslines and otherworldly energy that very much comes back from the future to keep you on your toes. In true Sound Signature style, this is an album that sounds like little else so is the perfect way to mark 100 releases.

Review: Few labels are as idiosyncratic as Theo Parrish's Sound Signature. It deals in house and techno of an otherworldly sort with esoteric rhythms that blur the lines between the synthetic and the organic. And that is exactly the case with the label's magnificent 100th release, a new album from Howard Thomas that takes its cues from his love of 80s sci-fi films and beat tracks. It's a stark world of dance floor pressure with buzzing synths and clattering hits, raw beats and leftfield energy that brings utterly new ideas across seven spellbinding cuts. This is a cassette version of what is an immediately timeless album.

Review: Underworld's latest album, Strawberry Hotel maps a distinct sonic landscape where minimalistic techno pulses meet textured and scratchy guitar tones, creating an uncanny blend of precision and spontaneity. Each track occupies its own atmosphere-from tracks built around tight, rhythmic kicks and monotone voices, to others steeped in lush melodic swells. Highlight tracks 'and the colour red' and 'denver luna' showcase their talent for boundary-pushing compositions, while 'black poppies' stands as a tribute to dancefloor euphoria and pure vitality, all without a single beat.

Review: Ed Cartwright's first compilation, which is landing in two parts (this is the first), celebrates the period between 1992 and '96, when electronic music in Britain was going in a multitude of different directions, and the (ultimately unfulfilled) 'brave new dawn' offered by Blair's New Labour government was still some way off. Cartwright's selections thus flit between gorgeous UK techno (Syzygy's 1992 gem 'Meditation'), sub-heavy post-bleep brilliance (Cabaret Voltaire), classic IDM (the Black Dog's Ken Downie as Xeper), mind-mangling slow acid (Thunderhead's excellent 'True Romance'), anti-Criminal Justice Bill material (Ultramarine's 'Happy Land') and some early Matthew Herbert brilliance ('Housewife'). Throw in extensive liner notes from dance music historian Matt Anniss, and you have a fantastic package.

Review: Swiss label Drumpoet has been one of those super reliable outlets that serves up good quality deep house. It has now been doing so for 15 years and marks the occasion with a bumper triple vinyl collection featuring 13 cuts from all the label's finest associates. There is brilliantly left-of-centre minimal from Roman Flugel and Frank Weidermann to kick off, then melody-rich deep house from Bubble Wrap, and an absolute classic from the one and only Herbert who supplies 'Air.' Plenty more lushness comes from the likes of Fred Everything and Ripperton to make this a fine collection.

Review: Kompakt's Total 24 compilation is the nest episode in the label's amazing series. This cd version opens with Hamburg's Ada remixing Heiko Voss, followed by Jurgen Paape's vibrant 'Chee-Caruso.' Newcomer Deer Jade delivers the frolicsome house track 'Jukurpa,' while Jonathan Kaspar's 'Are You' captures the euphoria of his DJ sets. Hardt Antoine impresses with his dynamic style, and Sascha Funke pays homage to German showbiz with 'The Heck.' Tee Mango joins with his unique sound, and Joyce Muniz teams up with Sara Blum for the uplifting 'Beats & Lines.' Gui Boratto collaborates with Darren Emerson on the captivating 'The Shell,' and Rex The Dog offers the heartfelt 'Laika.' Raxon's 'Beskar' showcases his Star Wars inspiration, and David Hasert and Nicone's 'Wasting My Time With You' is a highlight. Reinhard Voigt's quirky 'Der, der mit dem Gummiball sang (Orange)' features various animals, while Argia's 'Love Keeps You Running' blends groove and pop. Wassermann's track concludes the compilation with a touch of Arabian Nights magic. Total 24 is a diverse and engaging collection that exemplifies Kompakt's ability to curate exceptional electronic music.

Review: Continuing the research project started last year, Sound Metaphors, Transmigration, and historian Ray Castle present an in-depth analysis of the dancefloor scene in Goa during the 80s and early 90s, before trance became a mainstream genre. This tropical underground haven thrived on unique aesthetics, with dedicated collectors and DJs curating the finest "special goa music" from the era's emerging electronic tracks. This compilation features impactful new beat, proto-techno, early progressive, trance, industrial, EBM and house music tracks, accompanied by event photographs in a double LP gatefold with a poster and liner notes by Ray Castle. Re-mastered in Berlin, it's an essential addition to any record collection.

Review: After initially reserving much of his music for his own Tartan label, Wallace has been on plenty of fine sojourns to other top labels of late including CWPT's from Palms Trax, Studio Barnhus and Rhythm Section. Now he makes his biggest statement yet with a double album on Mule Musiq that draws on everything in his arsenal. His deft melodic touch and innocent synth work defines the first couple of clean and airy cuts while his knack for an unusual rhythm defines the loopy and hypnotic 'Midnight On The Mountain,' 'By The River' is a gorgeous deep house cut with eastern melodies and 'Bubbles' is pure dreaming material for zoned out sessions. A fine work from the talented Wallace.