Back catalogue: Techno (すべて)

Review: We're told that inspiration for this bumper new double album of super fresh techno from the young New Palm label came in 2023 when the artists met up on the LA River armed with "a couple of generators, a Klipsch system, turntables, and a modular rig, for a day into night of music centred around various forms of dub." The results are superb, with Charles Edward opening up with the sparse, laid-back dub of 'Bogus August', Lena Deen keeping it deft with the ambient soundscapes of 'Either Ore' and Berndt's 'Solstice' exploring widescreen minimalism dub, with plenty more to love in between.

Review: Anetha's Mama Told Ya label has given the French techno provocateur the perfect space to shape out her particular vision of techno in the 21st Century. It's a taut, sexy kind of peak time with plenty of space for rhythmic intrigue and bold curveballs, as perfectly demonstrated on the MTY series of compilations. This third entry brings together a whopping 22 different artists across four slabs of wax, taking in some heavyweight talent from Zoe Mc Pherson to Benjamin Damage, Boys Noise and way beyond into the cutting edge of the modern techno scene.

Review: The Cocoon alphabet compilation is an always timely snapshot of the year in techno that was. It's well-curated by label head Sven Vath and always digs into several different sub-genres with a knowing skill. Now up to letter U, it is still going strong as we dive into everything from the soft and dreamy acid-laced deep techno delights of New Jackson's 'Acid Jackson' to the more bright and intense sounds of Jakob Reiter's 'Il Rotori'. Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic provide more epic peak time moments with 'Lacalute' and Space Dimension Controller's deft synth flourishes on 'Cold Tunings' make for a gorgeous high-speed techno trip.

Review: Global Underground will always have a place in the hearts of dance music lovers. Their long running mix series is up there with the best of them and this latest entry into it finds the long running label presenting Unique #2, on which they have selected 12 of what they say are "the most exciting producers in electronic music to create exclusive tracks for this release." Big names like Pig&Dan, Victor Ruiz, Spencer Brown, Johannes Brecht, Musumeci, Helsloot & Rose Ringed, Mariano Mellino and Gorgin are amongst those offering up a smorgasbord of house and tech styles.

Review: This is the final instalment of Nous Klaer Audio's beloved 3x12" compilation series and it's another classy outing that serves up a diverse range of sounds from deep, immersive rhythms to driving techno, rave-infused house and some in-between surprises. Curated by label-head Oberman, it features contributions from both established artists and fresh talent, including Megan Leber with the serene 'Tides', a textured remix from Pye Corner Audio, the lushness of Eversines's 'Rhapsodia' and more besides. It adds up a real trove of top tackle.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, split sleeves, product in perfect working order***


You can always rely on the Cocoon compilations to bring you a high level of quality control and an authoritative overview of the state of techno around the time of release. This mammoth six-LP set will give you a lot of music to work with, and it's featuring a dizzying cast of high-end operators starting with the mighty Stephen Brown. Each track gets a side of vinyl to itself, serving as a kind of statement for how much faith the label put in each of these 12 tracks. Amongst the best on this top-drawer comp are Daniel Avery's metallic, spellbinding 'Your Future Looks Different In The Light' and Carl Finlow's lithe electro workout 'Surface Control', but as you might well expect each track is one you'll turn to again and again to give your mix some spice.

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: Bonzai Classics delivers a nostalgic package with Bonzai Compilation IV - The Fourth Level, a fully remastered collection of trance and techno gems that once ruled the 90s dance floors. Now available on a double CD, this compilation revisits an era when underground rave culture was in full swing, and each track pulsates with the energy that defined the scene. From booming basslines to sweeping melodies, the remastered sound breathes new life into these iconic tunes, providing a thrilling experience for both long-time listeners and newcomers to the style. The Fourth Level has a lineup of influential artists who helped shape electronic music, capturing the creativity and innovation of the time. With its powerful rhythms and euphoric synths, this album serves as both a tribute to the genre.

Review: Since Sven Vath's 2022 album Catharsis was an epic, triple-vinyl affair, it seems fitting that this remixed version is equally as vast. There are one or two surprises - see Krystal Klear's grandiose, big room trance take on 'Feiern' and a wonderfully pitched-down, chugging and bleeping re-wire of 'Catharsis' courtesy of Mano Le Tough - but for the most part the revisions offer different takes on big room-friendly techno and drowsy Germanic tech-house. That's no bad thing though, as the highlights come thick and fast throughout, with our picks of a very strong bunch including the deep, dreamy and intergalactic Florian Hollerith version of 'Silvi's Dream', a thumping, frankly nightmarish Planetary Assault Systems revision of 'Nyx', a dubbed-out-but-jacking Detroit techno take on 'Butoh' by Robert Hood, and Robag Wruhme's wonderfully wonky interpretation of 'The Worm'.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks ***


The Milano Undiscovered series has been expertly overseen by Fred Ventura and now clocks up a third installment. It again delves into Milan's dynamic techno and house scene between the years of 1988 and 1992. Unveiling a trove of unreleased demos, it highlights the city's burgeoning underground culture during this period. Influenced by the pioneering sounds of Chicago, Detroit, London, and Sheffield, Milanese producers embarked on a creative journey, crafting their own distinct interpretations of electronic dance music. These demos offer a glimpse into the innovative spirit and diverse sonic landscape that defined Milan's contribution to the global dance music scene during this transformative era.

Review: The Milano Undiscovered series has been expertly overseen by Fred Ventura and now clocks up a third installment. It again delves into Milan's dynamic techno and house scene between the years of 1988 and 1992. Unveiling a trove of unreleased demos, it highlights the city's burgeoning underground culture during this period. Influenced by the pioneering sounds of Chicago, Detroit, London, and Sheffield, Milanese producers embarked on a creative journey, crafting their own distinct interpretations of electronic dance music. These demos offer a glimpse into the innovative spirit and diverse sonic landscape that defined Milan's contribution to the global dance music scene during this transformative era.