Review: CFRT's fourth release features early productions from Sven Rohrig under his acclaimed techno and house alias, 3 Phase. These tracks were originally released on Push back in 1996 and offer a window into his innovative approach, even though he was in his formative years. All these decades on, they still bang. 'Moon' is textured, edgy techno with restless drum rhythms and metallic percussive sounds, 'Other Edge' is a psyched-out number with bleeping melodies and thudding drums and 'Magic Edge' strips tings back to deep, pulsing bass, lashings of synth detail and a paranoid mood while 'Stash' shuts down with more slow motion sounds for the post-rave comedown.
Review: A aka Mika Vainio's 'Fermionit' is a significant release from the late Finnish producer, who passed away in 2017. Originally featured in a Belgium Detuned 6x12 boxset just before his death, the track received critical acclaim from collectors and fans. Now, it returns to Mika's own Sahko label for a well-deserved 12" release. 'Fermionit' embodies the essence of Finnish techno with its minimalistic, cold and stark sound. The track's passive-aggressive edge showcases Vainio's signature style, blending raw, unfiltered textures with a profound sense of depth. This release not only honors Vainio's legacy but also offers a chance for new listeners to experience the pure DNA of Finnish techno. An essential listen for fans of minimalist and avant-garde electronic music.
Review: Knotweed welcomes back a label regular in A Thousand Details here and he once again delves deep into groovy machine funk. His high-impact sound is always intense but is never short on style. 'Hammersmith Conjunction' is up first and races out of the blocks on some surging, serene and Detroit-style techno. 'Ashbourne Grove' is a more heads-down affair for the dark of the night with paranoid synth patterns looping tightly over the cantering drums. 'Colorious' ups the ante with bristling percussive loops and 'Pimlico Astor' shuts down with some edginess that will keep you on your toes.
Review: Shlomi Aber & Kashpitzky join forces once again to make their Blueprint Records debut with four formidable techno tracks on the 'Sonic Underworld' EP. Sharing production duties on each side, Aber and Kashpitzky bring experience gleaned from prior releases on the likes of CLR, Drumcode, and BPitch Control - dropping clout like bombs - to this ultimate moment, on whose A-side we now hear 'Immersive' fusions of broken beat and far-flung techno atmospheres amount to a tittilating 'Saga'. The B-side's 'Rust' and 'Bazement' are equally as synthetic yet also hear the EP grow increasingly crazed, with the former indulging an entrained trance despite an equally adamant kick-drive, and the latter moving pure tweezy and swirly.
The Truth (feat Bella Hardcover - acappella) (3:41)
Review: The Kwench label is back with more tasteful and timeless house and techno fusions here as Ad & The Persuader link up for The Truth EP. The title cut opens up with some lazy, wavy, dubby grooves with heady pads and then a dub version makes it even more fleshy and horizontal. 'Strolling' keeps things classy and deep cut with pillowy kicks toped with starry-eyed melodies and some glitchy perc. An cappella closes out the EP for DJ use. This is a quietly excellent 12" that oozes quality.
Review: Naarm-based producer Sam Alfred shows no signs of slowing down as we continue to be impressed by the material coming out of Australia right now. After releasing the energetic 'Suzuka' EP, completing a sold-out headline tour and playing a packed set at MODE Festival, he's now back with more full flavour beats. This one disk off with a real house anthem inspired by 90s club music with punchy piano, airy synths, and a driving cowbell rhythm. 'Care 4 U' has carefree garage house vibes a la salute, 'Keep It' brings some euro dance and trance energy and 'Distance' is a peak-time acid-laced pumper. Brilliant stuff.
Review: Altone, an emerging talent in dub techno, delivers the Invincible Nature EP on Denmark's Echocord Records, a label revered for over two decades. The EP showcases Altone's knack for crafting deep soundscapes. Side-1 features 'Naturally Unnatural,' presenting two distinct takes: the first is sparse and minimal, epitomizing classic dub techno, while the second version is more techy and aggressive, adding an edge to the composition. Side-2 brings remixes of 'Unnaturally Balanced.' Thomas Fehlmann, a legendary producer, lends his expertise to the 'Naturally Flowing' remix, infusing it with a fluid, dynamic quality. The 'Another Channel' version rounds out the EP with a quintessential dub treatment, staying true to the genre's roots. Invincible Nature EP is a compelling showcase of versatility in dub techno and Echocord's enduring influence in the scene.
Review: The Hyperdrive label is back with a third outing which once again offers up some exciting and forward-thinking new artists. Anderson's 'Sweet Psylow' kicks off with some psychedelic synth loops over crisp tech house drums that hark back to the 90s prog heyday. HearThuG's 'Back To The Future' is a darker sound with whistles, snappy snares and eerie chords and Luis Malon & Seb G then combine for the bouncing techno rhythms and acid-laced pads of 'Extasis Nebular.' Last but not least, Jamie Leather's 'Strange Commodities' is a surging cosmic techno trip with dynamic drums and perc and majestic leads. This is another fine release from this young label.
Review: With his nom de plume, producer Anoesis - returning to Cyphon Records - posits an age-old philosophical question. Are there forms of knowledge that we can access independently of consciousness? Besides perception of phenomena, and by the use of reason, how else can we know things? One answer is "anoesis", which is the reception of impressions or sensations - sensory input, pure qualia - by the brain, prior to any intellectual (aka. noetic) work being done. As a form of 'Metacognition', anoesis is innate, paralogical, and before reason; such motor inputs are exactly the kind that electro and its adjacent styles hope to simulate and stimulate. 'Vision Off' and 'Do Don't Don't Do' seem to reflect something of this latent potentiation of thought, with patterned, helical beats, and bouncy neuronal noises, seeming to represent the ludicrousness of the unconscious and somatic mind. 'New Style Of Life' just as oxymoronic - irrationally rational - proving that the dancing body also follows its own, paralinguistic form of reason; sci-fi, Forbidden Planet-style, billowing synth note ascensions blend with clacky hats and snares, representing the forward-facing yet untempered drives of such a precognitive, subjective mental state.
Review: William Arist's Chronicles Of Civilization EP is a six-track exploration into the primitive and tribal roots of techno, released by Emerald Holland. Highlights include 'Nataruk' which stands out with its heavy tribal groove and primal techno energy, setting a raw and powerful tone for the EP. 'Mousike' offers a creative looped feel, adding an engaging and hypnotic rhythm. Side-2 opens with 'KwaZulu,' a hard roller that evokes memories of Primate Records, Ignition Technician, and Umek from circa 2000. The EP wraps up with 'Aboriginal,' maintaining the deep, tribal essence throughout. Chronicles Of Civilization EP by William Arist captures the foundational sounds of techno with its robust and authentic approach. One for those who like aggressive looped and tribal grooves that verge on hardcore.
Review: Multi Culti presents a captivating full-length release from Peruvian artist Aristidez, cofounder of Lima's Casa Locasa and the nonprofit label Behua Icara, which supports indigenous culture. Now based in Berlin, Aristidez has been steadily building his reputation with releases on labels like Calypso, Disque-Discos, and Kebrada, as well as notable remixes for Amplio Espectro and Playground Records. His music, praised by Matias Aguayo and the late Andrew Weatherall, stands out for its deep rhythmic sensibility and subtle nods to indigenous influences, all while avoiding cliches. This album showcases Aristidez's ability to blend a wide array of electronic influences into a cohesive, hypnotic experience. Across its seven tracks, listeners are treated to a sonic journey that spans breakbeat-driven 90s rave, 80s proto-trance, cult dub, and downtempo grooves. Tracks like 'Gastonia Dub' and 'Make Flutes With My Bones' reveal a mastery of rhythm and atmosphere, creating an immersive, kaleidoscopic soundscape that is both danceable and introspective. This collection is a testament to Aristidez's skill in crafting timeless electronic music that resonates with both the dancefloor and the discerning listener.
Review: First Cut has tapped up Giles Armstrong for a superb new 12" in the form of his 'The Activity of Sound' EP. A pivotal figure in Dublin's bubbling underground scene for over 20 years, Armstrong has long been a respected techno selector and has also made his mark by co-founding the much-loved Electric City club night. Now he is also showing his chops as a producer to complete the circle. The 303-fuelled energy of 'Caged' and the equally acid-driven weapon that is 'One Foot In The Rave' cannot fail to electrify any set and then the closer 'Waldorf Salad' (named maybe after the synth that was used to make it?) is a superbly melodic cut with heavy bass for the more late night hours. With this outing, Armstrong shows there is little he cannot do in the electronic realm.
Review: Zafer Atabey shares 'Orbital Overdrive', his latest for Terminal M. With two solemn but still exhilarating euphorisers - destined for the turbine dancefloor - Atabey riffs on the idea of a sped-up revolution of planets around their solar axis, resulting in an overload of syzygies, novas and eclipses, to sheer, stellar celestial breaking point. The title track abounds with odd cockpit interface sonata and cavernously verbed gut-hits, which sound like the exaggerated gurgles of an octopoid monstrosity worming its way through the ducts and vents of an onboard oxygen dispersal system. Meanwhile, 'Sonic Synthesis' offers a brighter sound, its firmly bedded kicks acting as foils for enveloping, toppy synth flora, which scatter about our ears like bionic petals until the various rises and falls of the track combine to form one colossal movement.
Review: French modular wizards Atomic Moog step up the Transmigration sub-label Crystal Ceremony here for some otherworldly and psychedelic techno sounds. 'Variable Pulse' kicks off with some low key deep tech sound and rumbling bass that are topped with sci-fi details. 'Brainwave' then has more wispy synth details lashing about over an aquatic dub the no rhythm. 'Model' is slow, purposeful deep techno for heady moments and last of all is the Konduku remix of 'Brainwave' which is minimal, kinetic and full of pent-up funky.
Review: Adam Beyer and Green Velvet are legendary names in techno music for over 30 years now. Their powerhouse track 'Simulator' receives a set of fresh remixes, extending to some producers to show off their version of this lofty new classic. First up, Mha Iri, a pivotal figure for Drumcode, delivers a scorching remix. She retains the original's fierce bass stabs, using them as formidable motifs, while injecting an abundance of intensity through electrifying builds and drops. Next, Odd Mobb, an emerging talent from Australia recognized by Fred Everything and Skrillex, infuses his four-minute rework with high energy. His remix emphasises the low-end elements and introduces vibrant new bursts of color, creating a dynamic rendition that keeps listeners engaged. Finally, Chris Avantgarde, known for his inventive productions, crafts a remix that defies genre boundaries. Combining elements of breaks, bass, electronica and techno, his interpretation spreads across all of his personal influences. Pressed on neon green 'rippled' vinyl, this record looks as dangerous as it sounds.
Review: Billian hails from Bosnia and Herzegovina and is and film and game music sound composer currently working on the Scorn game and his first film, Fugitive. He has also found the time to craft this new full length on the Vision (drum & Bass) label land it comes on nice green and blue marbled vinyl. He draws heavily on his work making sounds for films and manages to cook up an array of evocative soundscapes that play out like a mental movie. The likes of 'Uncanny Valley' are kinetic, tightly woven affairs alive with static, and 'Different Eyes' has a more serene feel with swirling pads and distant melodies hinting at a brighter future. Great stuff.
Review: No Signal Records' tenth release features legendary producer Jamie Bissmire. A key figure in techno since the 90s, Bissmire's solo work and collaborations, like Bandulu and Space DJz, have very much helped to shape the techno sound of recent times. His new EP does so once more and opens with the ambient track 'Subteranium' setting a moody tone with subtle synths and basslines. 'In Temporal' then kicks things off properly with a distorted 4/4 beat, while 'Lore & Order' creates a darker and more hypnotic vibe. 'The Tapestry of Fate' is a signature Bissmire track for the way it blends dark energy with relentless pressure. The EP closes with 'Woven Whispers' an atmospheric ambient piece that sends you away on a high.
Review: Cologne native Blauert steps out here with his debut EP and in doing so offers up a sound that feels remarkably seasoned. His music blends influences from dub and Detroit techno but also has something more, something extra, which lends it a distinct quality often missing in many contemporary releases. These are silky and serene soundscapes for late-night heads who love it deep and with only the most deft of pads to hook onto as the beats roll to infinity and beyond. These are high-class and timeless tracks that make a lasting impression.
Review: Barbatus D is a rare example of a new techno and electro concept label, one centring on the exploits and buccaneering braveries of the corsair Captain Barbatus D. Wreckords. This fictive entity - a pirate tulpa - is nonetheless the sort of character we can indeed imagine coming into real being, as long as at least some amount of booty has been nabbed, and/or some number of Barbatus D. "Wreckords" have been listened to, as ritual per. The EP comprises a four-track series of musings on a new, anarchic world order, in which roving seafarers, answerable to nobody, muse on issues like privacy, mass organisation, winter soleros and secret rooms. All sea shanties here were composed in the vein of 80s electro, brought to a freshly crisp modern production technique.
Review: Explosive and absurdist live specialists and techno innovators British Murder Boys made their mark with a series of influential 12" records from 2003-2005 on Child's Counterbalance and Regis' Downwards labels, followed by a 2012 reunion 12" on Mute's Liberation Technologies. They have recently put out a Lou Reed cover, 'Real Good Time Together,' and a limited-edition cassette from their Willem Twee residency and now their long-awaited debut album shifts away from their heavy industrial roots to a raw, stripped-back '90s warehouse sound. Spanning eight tracks, O'Connor channels '70s New York through a King Tubby-style echo chamber and blends in broken dancehall, ricocheting electronics and FX-drenched vocals for a fresh, arresting new sound.
Review: Techno has become ever more coloured by trance and hard dance in recent times and this new EP from The Chronics taps into that. It opens with the bright sounds and retro-future 90s energy of 'By My Soul' with its hundred-mile-an-hour drums catchy vocal stabs. The Tommy Holohan remix) is even more physical and direct and slamming and 'Body Harmony' then sinks into a groove that feels like it floats, with reversed snares and flappy kicks. Obscure Shape remixes with more low-end heft but still some nice catchy funk.
Review: Cirkle's Vakandra's Spell delivers four serious techno burners, each track packing its own punch and depth. Side-1 kicks off with the title track, 'Vakandra's Spell,' a sci-fi stomper that echoes the hypnotic intensity of Jeff Mills' Purpose Maker work. It's slightly demented yet profoundly captivating, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that pulls you in. Following this, 'Lunar Orbit' presents a fast-paced, loopy groove that drives the energy forward, making it a perfect fit for peak-time sets. On Side-2, 'Evolving' stands out with its chord-based loop style, offering a deep, rhythmic flow that keeps the momentum going. The EP closes with 'Quantum Shift,' a pulsating techno track where rhythmic hi-hats percolate over a driving beat, delivering a high-class finish to this well-rounded release.Vakandra's Spell is a powerful offering for those looking for deep, intense techno tracks.
Review: Originally released in 1998 on Tokyo's short-lived Metro Juice Records, this deep techno EP by Sohei Nagasawa, also known as Cocoo, quickly became a cult favourite. Known for its stripped-back, percussive and earthy sound, this remains Nagasawa's sole release, making it a sought-after gem among deep techno heads. This reissue includes two new remixes which breathe fresh life into the timeless tracks while preserving the minimalist essence that made the original so captivating. The EP's rarity and distinct style mean it is going to fly off the shelves as quickly now as it did back then.
The Emanations - "Rhythm Is Easy" (feat Janet Planet - Che Luca Lucid Rave mix)
Review: The fully mixed version of Confidence Man's debut Fabric mix record is here on CD. In contrast to the selectors' LP version - also sold by us - this full version is a seamless, singular slab of optical laser-read musical licence, espousing the central vibe-theme of Confidence Man's message: have confidence. Well, except for want of a receiving ear, we find ourselves tentatively able to confide in Confidence Man's Fabric mix ("better than therapy" joke happily dodged) as a substitution in the meantime; for it too shows us that real, authentic, and boundless confidence can, believably, indeed, be found in bouncy dance exclusives available on CD only. Among these are Patrick Prins' kitsch chipmunk banger 'Fiesta Conga' and Cygnus X's steezy-cheesy trance stutterer 'Positron'03'. With both many a throwback and a present promo in tow, Confidence Man dice up and dole out a small slice of their huge stash of their patented auricular confidence dust.
Confidence Man & IN2STELLAR - "Break It Down (On The Bassline)" (5:04)
Sweely - "Getup (& Move Your Butt)" (5:41)
Wallace - "Breathe" (6:13)
Jex Opolis - "Wide Awake" (dub) (5:25)
Joe Goddard - "Flex" (feat Suku Of Ward 21) (4:21)
Joshua James - "God Is Coming (She Is Pissed)" (5:38)
The Emanations - "Rhythm Is Easy" (feat Janet Planet - Che Luca Lucid Rave mix) (8:56)
Confidence Man - "Let Them Bells Ring" (4:19)
Review: Here is Confidence Man debut for Fabric's acclaimed Fabric Presents mix series, flaunting the lesser-heard DJing chops of this contemporary pop-dance duo. "Have confidence, man" is the central motto of the collaborative pair made up of Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, who first came up in Brisbane, Australia band found rapid acclaim for their easily assimilable blend of electro pop, dance and indie. Their debut mix for Fabric flexes an adroit ear for the vim-affirming ends of life, scouring the hidden depths of their well-threshed record crate of 90s rave and trance, with tunes by the likes of Joe Goddard, Jex Opolis, Wallace and Sweely all implying an innate, strutting, blue-steel-over-the-shoulder confidence, innate to all yet realised by few.
Review: Bill Converse and Patricia land on Acid Test with more of their dynamic beat machine workouts in the form of this '380/750' EP which merges their distinct styles into an introspective, dancefloor-driven four-track workout. Recorded live at Ravitz's Brooklyn studio in just two days, the EP features raw, unedited performances that show off the duo's intuitive rhythm-making skills while drawing on Converse's 90s Michigan rave roots and Ravitz's Chicago upbringing. The immersive, bubbly, rubbery sounds are perfect blends of body music and heady synth work and cannot fail to take you deep.
Review: N.O.B.A's Vibes Addikt presents its third release featuring Dimitri Cooman. The Belgium-based techno and hard techno artist plays at events including the legendary Cherry Moon Club in Lokerenand, where he is a resident and also runs the label of the same name, so knows how to tailor his sounds to a range of situations. His Vanished Technologies EP kicks off with the blistering title track, a mind-melting fusion of acid lines, slamming drums and percolating techno funk. The Fhase 87 remix brings some manic energy and unhinged synth stabs that truly arrest your attention then 'Restorative' shuts down in driving, heavy, dubby techno fashion.
At Les (Christian Smith Tronic Treatment remix) (9:44)
At Les (Christian Smith Hypnotica remix) (9:14)
Review: Christian Smith revisits Carl Craig's iconic ambient masterpiece 'At Les' with two exceptional remixes, originally crafted in 2010. This reissue on Tronic revives the deep house genre with a fresh perspective on a track that first appeared on Craig's 1997 album, More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art. On Side-1, the 'Tronic Treatment remix' injects a pulsating energy into the ethereal original, blending rhythmic depth with the serene atmosphere that made the track a legend. Smith's remix maintains the emotional intensity while adding a driving beat that propels the listener forward. On Side-2, the 'Hypnotica remix,' where Smith delves into a more immersive, trance-like state. This version is all about loops and intricate layers, creating a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Smith's reimagining of 'At Les' pays homage to Carl Craig's genius while introducing new sonic dimensions. Still, 14 years later...this is a club ready peak time record.
Review: Daisychain's Mamasei EP on Planet Rhythm is a high-energy techno release that pushes boundaries with its use of a famous vocal from a certain late pop star with a fondness for monkeys and fairgroudn rides. Side-1 features a remastered version of 'Mamasei' , a powerful techno track that delivers an intense, full-throttle experience, ideal for peak moments on the dancefloor. On Side-2, the 'Mamasei' (Paula Cazenave remix) offers a different take, with a more stripped-down approach in parts. Despite the minimalism, it builds to a compelling peak, maintaining the track's high energy while providing a fresh perspective.
Review: Dark Vektor's 'Universos Infinitos' was first released a couple of years ago via HC, and the label have now resolved to reissue the record, by popular demand, on vinyl. Privileging a full-throttle, cosmic electro sound - one that makes full use of the digital medium's spectral potential, yet still echoes something of the imperfect medium that is space-time - 'Universos Infinitos' invites us to consider the vast expanse of the cosmos through a chrome-tinted radio telescope. From the off, of the title track, we hear analogous readings of vocoded pulsars and sidereal stabs, both of which are received loudly and clearly by our technilicious giant satellite dish. 'Darkness Around Me' is more an intermittent sound-source, perhaps signalling the cosmic presence of a partially botched nova - or even a Dyson sphere - through its equally ecstatic square waves and washout vocals from singer Marinetta. The Lost Boys deliver a rogue and vampiric schranz version on the B, shortly followed by an even archer footwork remix from our newest favourite outer-space visitor, Kaxtelian.
Review: Dawn Razor's 'Sixteen' EP on Dead Beat is a dynamic addition to the techno genre. Title track, 'Sixteen,' opens with a spacious atmosphere, combining a subtle breakbeat with a bold acid line and a tribal rhythm that keeps the energy pulsating. Kovyazin D's remix of 'Sixteen' shifts the focus with a funkier acid line, giving it an electro bounce and a touch of sci-fi flair. On the flip side, 'Panomatic Mono' plunges into the darker realms with its classic hardcore breakbeat and a sinister, ravey vibe. It's a track that recalls the intensity of early rave culture. 'Good Old Days' rounds out the EP with melodic breaks that evoke the early 90s, blending nostalgia with modern production techniques. A solid release for those who appreciate techno with a nod to its roots while exploring new sonic territories.
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