Back catalogue: Techno (すべて)

Review: As well as being one of electronica's most distinctive, recognisable and long serving warriors, Richard James is a man of many surprises. From his massive Soundcloud dump in 2015-6, to this unexpected 2023 EP - which was his first fully released material for around five years and appeared without warning - he likes to stay several giant leaps ahead of his public. Across its four tracks, it showcases his unmistakable, queasily melodic touch while revisiting the roots of his drill 'n' bass sound with a modern twist. Opening with 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f', the EP sets a reflective tone, its light breakbeat and melancholy melody underscored by 80s-inspired drum textures, evoking a wistful yet futuristic atmosphere. This track encapsulates the beauty of his signature style, fusing emotion with intricate production. 'Zin2 Test5' shifts the mood slightly darker, with crisp production and an optimistic undercurrent woven through its melodies. It feels like a contemplative counterpart to the opener, balancing light and shadow with finesse. The second side dives deeper into experimental territory. In 'A Room7 F760' is a fast-paced, broken-beat journey through eerie soundscapes and sinister rave melodies, teetering on the edge of chaos while retaining a hypnotic allure. Closing with 'Blackbox Life Recorder 22 (Parallax mix)', the EP ventures into dubstep territory with a deeper, growling bass and ominous undertones. a dubbier reinterpretation that offers a more textured, shadowy perspective. Black (box) ops indeed - as ever.

Review: Border Patrol (Stu Adam) brings his talents to Rezpektiva, who gladly represent his first and only EP for the 29th edition of their EPs series. Originally recorded for Middlesboro's Tumblin' Records in the mid 90s and released only in small quantities, the EP displays a canny sense of variety in painting pictures of house music's many possible worlds. The hilariously named 'Mobius Trip' leads the way, trailblazing a fiery string of pitched-up synths and watery stabs in its wake; the more experimental of the bunch, 'D'ya Want Business', is our favourite, bringing pure lowpassed kicks, infectious two-tone electroclash-ish basslines, and what sound like computer keyboard and lasershot sound effects into one heady cyberspatial stew.

Review: Dance music is rife with megalomaniacal personalities eager to carve their names in, well, whatever the techno equivalence of blue-plaque posterity is. Here, however, the producer Brother Nebula (Lance DeSardi), from Texas, flips the desire to delusively status-climb for such trifles on its head, inverting the idiom "delusions of grandeur" in naming their EP 'The Grandeur Of Delusion'. Informed by delusion or not, this is a grand EP, rendering the problematic of grandiosity somewhat moot: from dark future garage faceoffs ('Ice Giant', 'God's Green Earth') to brooding halftime ice floes ('The Grandeur...'), Nebula has thoroughly honed his craft since relocating to London, not failing to blur genre categories across borders, nor to compel with huge, still technical broken beats.

Review: Analogue pressure from Bufobufo, who stops over in Japan for Cabaret Recordings after earlier international stints with Art Of Dark, Partout and Furthur Electronix. His second single for the label, founded by So Inagawa and DJ Masda, proffers a hypnotic blend, binarising the mood with the sliding melodes of 'Watercourse' and 'Armour Plated' with comparatively sparse and gritty perc-slaps of 'Wood Ant' and 'Cinnabar'. That strange but difficult-to-nail split between of hypnotic intrigue and immediacy is well and truly nailed.

Review: The Distorsion camp offers up its first sampler as a way of teasing you with the sort of quality sounds and artists it has on its roster. First up is a three-way collab between Citybox, Hankook & Orebeat whose 'Dangerous Changes' is an intense breakbeat workout for the peak time. Orebeat & Alex Clubbers keep the energy levels high and inject early 00s video-game style synths, Orebeat & Citybox keep it dark and raw with 'Gangsta' and Orebeat & JottaFrank laced up their thrilling breaks with acid lines and sleazy vocals on "Noche De Paris.' This is potent stuff for strobe-lit floors.

Review: The cornerstone of a certain (unforgettable) trance moment in time, Eden Transmission's 'I'm So High' was *the* tune to peg the LA and San Fran rave scenes indelibly to the PI's corkboard of dance music. Eden Transmission were only one alias of an ever-evolving, planarian duo - Michael Kandel, Tom Chasteen - whose works as Voodoo Transmission, High Lonesome Sound System and Up Above The World could equally have been deemed just as significant projects. But we prefer 'I'm So High'. One of the best to do it with breakbeats, the 'Ubud' mix of the title track hears what sounds like a bazaar gathering of psychic townsfolk, set against urgent whispers, which hydrolyse against a reso-peaked lead. And by far the best tune is 'Powertrance', which startles us with its wireless charge of mega-heavy breaks and robotic C-shell sendups, whisking us into psycho-cyberspace.

Review: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.

Review: Reissued from Future Sound of Melbourne's iconic Melodia EP, originally released in 1992 with two additional bonus tracks, this meticulously remastered collection promises that same dancefloor excitement. Remixed by Damian Schwartz, the EP blends techno, rave house, and breakbeat piano anthems that evoke the golden era of electronic music with a contemporary twist. Founded in 1990 by Davide Carbone, Josh Abrahams, and Steve Robbins, FSOM's legacy resonates worldwide. 'Alien' kicks off the EP with upbeat 90s techno vibes, followed by the euphoric rave anthem 'Heaven.' 'Melodia' is a breakbeat piano banger, and 'Melodia 95, a fresh take on the classic, showcases FSOM's enduring innovation.

Review: The influential 90s IDM and techno act Future Sound of London continues to delve into their early career with the reissue of The Pulse EP Vol 2, originally released in 1991. This EP exemplifies the early techno sound, blending rave elements with the more intelligent and linear side of electronic dance music. Side-1 kicks off with 'Stolen Documents' (Jazz dub) by The Future Sound of London, a track that perfectly melds jazzy undertones with dub influences, creating a sophisticated and immersive experience. Following this is Smart Systems' 'Zip Code' (Stress Ball mix), a piece that balances high-energy beats with a stress-relieving ambiance. Side-2 begins with 'Innate' (W O W mix) by The Future Sound of London, a track that delves into deeper, more atmospheric realms, showcasing the group's innovative approach to soundscaping. Indo Tribe's 'I've Become What You Were' (Insider mix) closes the EP, with a pulsating techno rhythm that encapsulates the essence of the early '90s rave scene. Before their signature chill out sound was made, FSOL his some of their highest notes here with these early EPs.

Review: Rhythm Section's latest favourite, (Oliver) Gallegos, evidences his mastery over the art of what we like to call the "speech tune" - a format almost as old as time. Think Rum & Black's 'Slaves' or Underground Resistance's 'Transition'; the formula is as such; a slow-built dance beat, at least over 110BPM by our estimation, over which a rousing historical speech plays out throughout the track. Though this form lends well to a 90s rave aesthetic, Gallegos finds himself at a post-comedown period of history, indeed in which "rave" is often bittersweetly thought to be anachronistic; and in which house music often reigns supremer. So, then, does he bring a record-breaking, body-moving homily vocal sample to an incredibly arranged set of house arpeggiations and medley-style sample cut-ups, working in a sort of auditory bricolage but nonetheless bringing them together under a seriously reflective memorial dance-dome.

Review: Fierce electronic mavericks LNS & DJ Sotofett deliver a thrilling two-tracker that's built for serious warehouse action. The A-side is a teeth-clenching, bassline-driven beast that is raw, gritty and euphoric with static rhythms, stabbing synths and a halftime arpeggio breakdown that erupts into dreamy pads. On the flip, DJ Sotofett's 'Buzzy Breaker' starts minimal with just kicks, stabs and dubs, then morphs into a breakbeat monster with polyrhythmic tension and soaring pads underpinned with jungle-inflected drops. Both tracks harness deep, hypnotic repetition while sounding bold and system-ready so make for techno with real weight but also edge and purpose that results in high class DJ and dancer tackle.

Review: Mental health charity label Serenity keeps it sophisticated with its sixth outing and once again donates all proceeds to charity this time Young Minds. It is underground house mainstay and DiY Discs legend Nail who steps up first with a much more breezy and balmy sound than you would expect but it sure is lush. 'Pad On' slips into his more usual and driving house sound but with swirling pads up top for summery refinement. Trixie, Connor Male & Thoma Bulwer then get deep and late night with their punchy 'Impromptune' while Trixie's solo cut 'restless sculptures' is a jacked-up and percussive number that leans into techno.

Review: London underground night train riders Deadbeat Records prioritise techno-breaks handmade for late night and early morning dancefloors, times when both the best and worst comes emerges from each of us. Their inaugural Deadbeat Breaks compilation hears six out of ten full digital curations brought to a shadowy, space-invaded black vinyl truncation, with modern talking synth vomits from Olly Rant, booty bass hups from Hunter Starkings, hackney parroting hurtles from Rnbws, and a closing breakstep broil from Hooverian Blur.

Review: Remotif is a fast-rising star with a sound being called 'trance fusion.' He makes his mark again to that end with a new one on Especial that brings more of his modern-day ethnic styles to the driving breaks of techno following outings on the likes of Coymix and Space Lab and sets everywhere from Fabric to Berlin's Warning parties. This one kicks off with 'U 15' which is a busy blend of shimmery timbres and sharp perc, spaced-out pads and psychedelic synths that are ever on the rise. More trance overtones define 'Glint's Pursuit' and 'The Elevated Place' is slick and sleek, ascending and always rising. 'The Sunken Place' shuts down with more slow and percolating dub mutations to round out a superb EP.

Review: London's Thomas Wall aka ShadowScience, bringing a fresh fusion of deep atmospheres and futuristic breaks. Across four tracks, Wall builds haunting soundscapes with relentless, precise rhythms, making this an ideal soundtrack for late-night journeys. The EP delivers immersive basslines and meticulous production that draws listeners into its dark, cinematic world. With its brooding textures and tight, relentless energy, Wall's debut as ShadowScience promises much for those who seek the hypnotic allure of late hours and shadowy, intense spaces.

Review: Fauxpas Musik taps into the talents of St Andrew for a fresh new techno outing, No Rain No Flowers. After the opening 'Prologue' things get serious with the well-constructed synth and groove layers of 'Apricity'. 'Better Days Are Coming' is more widescreen and ambient laced deep electronic bliss, and our favourite might be 'No Rain, No Flowers' with its unhurried drums and steely hits all softened by more dreamy pad work and a sense of emotional longing. 'Heaven is a Place on Earth' keeps the mesmeric synth work flowing and a tasteful Outro rounds out this most engaging of trips.

Review: Stones Taro's latest offering is a masterclass in the art of tension and release, where breakbeat rhythms meet house grooves in a seamless, almost hypnotic blend. 'Clutch' anchors the release with a frenetic bassline and chopped vocal snippets that feel precision-engineered for the dancefloor. Then there's 'Stealthy Meow,' a surprising turn into trance-inflected euphoria, its shimmering melodies wrapped around a sturdy rhythmic core. Christopher Ledger's remix of 'Clutch' takes a darker path, stripping back the original's energy in favour of a creeping, minimalist tech-house groove. It's music that feels alive, constantly shifting under the weight of its own restless momentum. Here, Stones Taro has refined his genre-blending formulai as well as perfected it.

Review: Ilian Tape is back with a new entry into their ITX Series and as always it comes with four interesting but unhelpful keywords from the Munich crew themselves: Mind-expanding Spaceship Customer Support. The music sure is cosmic and mind-expanding from Struciton, who opens with the thrilling breakbeats of 'Just' which are wired up with fizzing synths and whirring machine noises. 'Flip' then gets busy with a nimble rhythm and bright, pixelated synth sequences and spangled percussion. 'Givven' strips things back a little to a more deep and dubbed-out but still vital groove while 'Sunray' is a mind-melting deep space trip. Unique as always, this one.

Review: Earlier in the year, Transmission Towers delivered one of the debut albums of 2024, the vivid and kaleidoscopic Transmission One. Now Sheffield veteran Crooked Man (AKA DJ Parrot, formerly a member of bleep pioneers Sweet Exorcist and chart-bothering 90s eccentrics All Seeing I) has delivered his "crooked transmissions" - radically re-shaped revisions in his distinctive style. On this first 12" in a series, he first reworks 'Everything', turning it into a richly percussive mutant house workout piled high with mind-mangling electronic motifs, reverb-laden drums, punk-funk swagger and echoing vocal snippets. On 'My Shadow (Crooked Shade)', he re-imagines the track as a fuzzy, lo-fi and deliciously dubbed out breakbeat roller - all sweat-soaked drums, booming bass, dreamy pads and trippy vocalisations.

Review: Manchester's Tys is back on the Simpler Times label he runs with Archie Gray, Tay and David with his third EP of cinematic, crisply rendered techno melancholy. If you're into the likes of Jon Hopkins and Four Tet you'll find much to savour in Tys' sound, dealing as it does in lingering emotive composition as the primary focus. There are plenty of deft drums driving the tracks along, but this is delicate music aimed squarely at the heartstrings, whether it's the endearing warble of the lead synth on 'Prism' or the sweetly spiralling shuffle of 'Antalya' you find yourself blissing out to.

Review: UVX's latest offering is a hypnotic exploration of bass-heavy beats and intricate textures. The first track, 'Elevator (13 Floor Spectrum),' sets a driving pace with its deep, steady rhythm and intricate layers of synths that gradually build in complexity. The dub version on the second side, 'Elevator (Dubfloor Sub Bassment),' strips things down to a more minimal groove, letting the bassline take center stage. 'Elevator (Trancefloor Transporter)' shifts the tone again, injecting a trance-like energy with its sweeping synths and driving rhythm. The release navigates between styles with finesse, making it a standout for fans of both deep and progressive house.

Review: Berlin-based artist Pavel Milyakov collaborates with Yana Pavlova, Martyna Basta, Richie Culver and Torus on Enthropic Vision, an album-length collection of tracks spanning diverse genres. The A-side starts with the melancholic ambience of 'Moon Chant', featuring the ethereal vocals of Krakow experimental music scene veteran Martyna Basta, before 'Tesco' brings bleak trancey loops blended with British contemporary artist Richie Culver's spoken word poetry. 'Eternal Break', with Netherlands-based artist Torus, is all low subs, ecstatic pads and abrasive breaks, then the B-side kicks in with 'Gabba 17' - not a 170bpm gabba anthem, but rather a ghostly techno workout with an admittedly urgent 4/4 kick - and continues with another tune featuring Richie Culver's spoken word fused with breaks. The album closes with the grim beauty of 'The Thrill', recorded in collaboration with Ukrainian singer Yana Pavlova and transports more wised up listeners back to the hypnagogic universe of the duo's 2021 Blue LP.

Review: The next level beat maker and sound designer that is Skee Mask returns to long-time home label Ilian Tape with another bold and brilliant album, Resort. It's an album that expands on the artist's usual sound with fusions of celestial ambient, IDM sound design and lithe, rhythmic techno drums. There are breakbeats on 'Reminiscrmx' backlit by heavenly pads, 'Schneiders Paradox' is marbled with zippy pads and raw drum hits, 'BB Care' glistens with a futuristic glow and 'Holzl Was A Dancer' slips into a shuffling, UKG tinged dub house pumper. It's a wild, wonderful ride that reaches all new levels for this already accomplished producer.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


The third in Switzerland's best and truest retro dance throwback series; here the Mental Groove Classic series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard to find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene. Only the best, brightest and most effulgent of house, techno, bleep and analog jams are heard on this series, bringing that heady, yet much sought-after, cross-section of dreaminess and rawness to our wanting ears. From the dreamy breathalizings and Himalayan hollerings of Uncle 22's 'Pain', to the deep ficus-bathed melodic blossomings of Point Zero's 'Coastal', it's clear that the ability to portray wateriness and fluidity in the otherwise (stereotypically) arid drum machine and sequencer form was something extant; a superpower shared collectively in the Swiss psyche of the time.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


The Mental Groove Classics is a new series of reissues documenting the sweats and oversights of Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene. Ducret's Mental Groove label collected and discographized many of the 90s' brightest and yet roughest gems of the time; as both Volume 1 and this follow-up demonstrate, there is an unabashed rawness shared by the likes of Airtight's 'Housewerks FXTC' and Techno Grooves' 'Hiawa' here, the kind of rawness in sound that the various music-makers of today may only emulate, yet may never truly fully replicate, if not for the simple fact of overproduction and/or the all-too-easiness of overindulgence and possibility enabled by digital audio tech. To contrast, this one's simple, drum-machinic grooves mesh rather effortlessly with a transcendent trance, one which reaches a dubby apogee on The Moody Boys' C-sider 'Jammin', not long before a wonky French touch leaves a lasting tactile impression on Nagai Eri's D2, 'Delta'.