Back catalogue: Techno (すべて)

Review: The man behind legendary London underground techno bash Lost, Steve Bicknell is back on KR3 with a nine-track LP that helps mark the label's fifth anniversary. Bicknell delivers seven of his raw signature sounds here and they combine the physical drive of techno with plenty of heady and atmospheric pads, all of which are frazzled, dusty and imperfect across four sides of wax. The first three are all intense and unrelenting deep techno odysseys with shadowy corners and unsettling sounds that bring a menacing presence. Side D shifts the tone with a 15-minute ambient piece that is tribal, luminous and meditative with cosmic signifiers and deep space energy, all keeping your mind locked in the moment.

Review: Given that legendary London DJ Steve Bicknell was one of the earliest champions of "proper techno" in the UK, it's been heartening to see his recent renaissance. Renewed interest in his 1990 productions has allowed him to issue a string of previously unheard gems from the vaults. Awakening The Past takes this approach, too, serving up a trio of previously unreleased gems from 1998 - the wonderfully trippy, late night techno loop jam "Physical Life", ragged acid workout "Natural Vibrations" and even more psychedelic "Fearing The Mind's Fears" - and a cut recorded earlier this year in Berlin. Interestingly, the latter - an intense, bleeping, modular-sounding slammer entitled "Conscious Awakening" - sounds like it could have been recovered from the same dusty DAT as the other tracks, despite being 100% new.

Review: Steve Bicknell does not muck about on this one. The 25 year techno veteran is a UK mainstay but somehow often rather slips under the radar. Sure, he had a few years away from 2005 to 2013, but he has rarely made a misstep since for fans of hard, dense techno. After EPs on Ostgut Ton and highly touted collabs with Function and Luke Slater as LSD, he's back on his own 6dimensions with an EP that you may have already heard DJ Nobu and Jeff Mills playing in recent sets. Three of the cuts pack a visceral punch, with hammering drums and walls of sheet metal synths and frazzled percussion applying huge amounts of dance floor pressure. Our pick of the bunch: hypnotic and stripped back closer "Undue Identification".

Review: Veteran techno producer Steve Bicknell brings fresh life to his classic work with this remastered double pack, Lost Recordings #1: Why? & For Whom? This release takes listeners deep into the world of hypnotic rhythmic techno, offering a range of minimal styles that keep the energy flowing. Some of the highlights include: 'Magnitude Of Such' which kicks things off with a gradual build, creating a sense of anticipation that pulls you in. 'Construction Of Thousands' introduces a Detroit-inspired, otherworldly melody that stands out with its rich textures. 'Mobile Terminals' shifts the experience into a spacey, futuristic trek, making it feel like an exploration of uncharted territory. Finally, 'Accelerating Others' delivers a disorienting soundscape, reminiscent of a lunar landing, closing the journey with a sense of mystery. Bicknell's mastery in minimal techno shines through in this release, making it an essential addition for anyone looking to dive deeper into the genre's more hypnotic side. Not too many people are doing techno like this on such a high level like Bicknell is.