Review: Mar De Novo is a mainstay of the Vinyl Only label which is now almost up to release number 20. As always these are magnificent beats that blend great invention with a healthy respect for disco days gone by and they are all made in what must be a studio jam-packed with analogue gear from all across the ages. 'Instant Humidity' has plenty of characterful synth details that are freaky and playful, 'Call Me' pairs stepping disco beats with super sweet vocals and 'Paraggi' is a blissed-out seaside gem. 'Progression' heady back to the club with strobe-lit disco arps, 'Get A Way' pairs plunging basslines with cosmic keys and another great vocal and 'Quiet Down' rounds out with another horizontal downbeat disco gem.
Review: Brazil's Marcio M shows that Latin America loves hard techno too, which is not something we necessarily knew before we heard this. His outing on Triple A is triple X rated from the off: 'Deja Vu' is a jacked-up hard techno slammer with snuggling acid lines, caustic pads and dark vocals all trapped in the relentless rhythm. 'GTFO' has undulating loops that lock you in the here and now and unleashes bright, flashy, raved-up mentasm stabs and 'Let's Go MTF' daisy it back to a more minimal but no less driving and destructive mix of drums and synths. 'The Voice' is the final guaranteed hell-raiser with its pacey drum patterns and rusty synth textures.
Review: Medellin producer Marck D (Charlie Escobar) is a new Planet Rhythm poster child, though his digital releasing repertoire is nonetheless colossal even without them, his many affairs including Illegal Alien, Phobiq and IAMT. Shocker it is, then, that 'Dune' is Escobar's first ever 12"; the record brings ultraphonic chord slurries ('Behind The Chord') and federated, intergalactic-dynastic codes of techno honour ('Atreides'), riding the sand-wormed thematics of the Frank Herbert sci-fi classic.
Review: The wonderful Brazil 45 series from Mr Bongo is back with its big old torch to shine a beam of deserving attention on two standout funk and bossa nova tracks from Rosa Maria, which originally came in 1972 and have remained in demand ever since. The A-side, 'Deixa Nao Deixa', blends Afro-Latin guitar, wild horns and percussion with infectious vocal harmonies that all coalesce into a Brazilian funk classic. On the B-side, 'Avenida Atlantica' delivers alternating funk and bossa beats beneath layers of vocals, horns and percussion to bring big energy and dancefloor-ready heat. This reissue ensures these timeless tracks become available for your rotation once more.
Review: Serious seriality from the OHM Series, an imprint and sole patent owner of the rare, aurally administered chemical known as Omega X. The alphabetic Greek letter ohm determines impedance / resistance in an electrical circuit, and so too do each of the dub techno tracks released on the OHM Series amount to tergiversating transductions, their chillout chord-knocks and hardened beats never quite letting us settle. Though titles like 'Innocence' and 'Downtime' persist here, the tracks perhaps inadvertently prove that flow is impossible without resistance: Separation's track is especially unorthodox in its strange reordering of phaser, pan and saturation effects on the pad-stab, which produces an unusual swirling effect.
Review: The Martian's 'The Long Winter Of Mars' marks a triumphant return, celebrating 30 years since Red Planet 5's original release. This reissue spotlights two iconic tracks, each occupying a side of the EP, and serves as a potent reminder of Detroit's techno legacy. Side-1 features 'Skypainter,' a track that transports the listener to uncharted sonic territories. It's beautifully layered, with an emotional depth that keeps the energy constant from start to finish - Detroit techno at its most expressive. On Side-2, 'Season Of The Solar Wind' delivers a powerful punch. This track is a prime example of dynamic Detroit-style techno, with a rhythm that captures the raw energy and innovation that defined the genre. This reissue from Red Planet, Underground Resistance's legendary sublabel, is an essential piece for anyone who reveres the Detroit sound.
Review: The Martian's Ghostdancer, reissued by the iconic Red Planet label, is a true gem in the world of Detroit techno. This record radiates a warm, soulful funk, blending vintage Detroit sounds with a unique twist. Side-1 kicks off with 'Medicine Man,' a track steeped in classic Detroit vibes, followed by 'The Vanishing Race,' both tracks reflecting The Martian's mastery in crafting timeless techno. Side-2 brings an intriguing contrast. 'Windwalker' is an uplifting, jazzy piece that exudes happiness, while 'The Talking Rocks Of Mars' ventures into darker, rougher territory, offering a captivating divergence from the other tracks. This contrast on Side-2 highlights The Martian's exceptional production skills, showcasing both depth and versatility. As Red Planet begins reissuing its catalogue for the first time, Ghostdancer is set to be in high demand. For any Detroit techno enthusiast, this release is essential, a standout from one of the genre's most influential artists.
Review: Like the orographic cloud formed around the hill on the front cover, Martinou's latest record is a restorative future garage via techno myst. Released through the German minimalists Fauxpas - who've confirmed their pride at having finally gotten to release with the Swedish artist - this vinyl edition contains an exclusive track on the fifth runout, 'Thoughtless'. But the fact is, all the tunes here are more than worthy for soundtracking a condensate moment of downtime and renewal. Paced blissfully, our faves are 'Woven' and 'Hold Then Release', both of which exculpate all our anxieties through burbling, filtered woodblocks and field-studied sonics, hand-picked to arrest and wow. A sublime new outing from the Sewer Sender founder.
Review: James Massiah is already regarded by those in the know as one of London's most vital poetic voices and this potent two-tracker only serves to add weight to that reputation. It pairs lo-slung, richly textured beats with razor-sharp lyricism from the off with 'Holland Park,' produced by Shimz343, finding Massiah narrating a cryptic tale over lush strings and jagged rhythms that channel the great Gil Scott-Heron. On the flip, 'Hot Winter' drips with jazz poetry swagger, chopped flutes and dusty breaks with Massiah riding the beat with effortless fluidity. He proves himself a timeless narrator here, half street prophet, half storyteller, but a stylish, witty bridge between past and present with lyrical gravitas.
Massimino - "Take Me Away" (feat O Jay - Dark Swing mix) (7:35)
MCJ - "Sexitivity" (feat Sima - Deep remix) (5:32)
Sima - "Give You Myself" (Maxx Suite version) (6:07)
David Syon - "Swinground" (Gemolotto & De Point mix) (6:58)
Review: Groovin Italy are the foremost label in our ranks to set their sights upon digging up and refining the very best sonic gemstones out there. Said blood diamond seam is the mythical yet plentiful vein known as deep house; here our local artisanal miners revitalise the precious contribs that especially once made splendid the faded gods of Italo house. From Italian DJ and producer Massimino Lippoli, a key figure in Italy's early house and progressive scene, to MCJ & Sima, Italian house duo, and Sima, who doubled up as vocalist and productive powerhouse, every track here is unerathed in mostly pre-polished, with the end jewellers over at Groovin needing very little work to do. David Syon's 'Swinground' closes things on a naive, part misshapen maccle, with what sound like hand-programmed brasses and pogo-synths played in above a twitchy but happy groove.
Review: Reissued on Japanese talent scourers Musicaanossa Gryps, whose special interest lies in every oddity from obscure breakbeat to hip-hop and jazz, comes the debut, originally self-released album from Cuban cellist, songwriter and vocalist Yaniel Matos. At once arresting and strikingly pure, Matos attends to the ears with a naturalistic plucked cello style and high tenor, proffering an easygoing Afro-latin feel whose tender valence few can claim to know without musical inducements such as this. Backed by a star cast of musicians such as Sidiel Vieria on bass and Cuca Teixeria on drums, Matos reissues a humble throbber of a record here.
Review: Mayhem marks their 40th anniversary with a special Record Store Day vinyl release capturing their cult April 1985 performance in Ski, Norway. This raw, early live set sees the black metal pioneers tearing through covers of Venom and Celtic Frost, which are both bands that shaped their now-legendary sound. Long before becoming icons of extremity and infamy, this recording reveals Mayhem in their formative chaos when they were laying the groundwork for the genre they helped define. Featuring the original lineup in its earliest form, this limited edition pressing is a wonderful bit of black metal history
Review: For those who have been digging deep & minimal house for decades, this 12" is a mini modern classic from 2004 by Mazi Namvar aka Audio Soul Project. Once a hidden gem, exposure in plenty of high-profile DJ sets means it has become a sought-after record with second-hand copies fetching up to $170. Enter this reissue to make it available to all, as good music should be. As well as the lush original cuts, this version includes a bonus track, 'Murmurs Low,' featuring Jimmy Tripp on saxophone and Mazi's spoken word, while standouts like 'Tattoo Of You' and 'Down' still hit the sport perfectly.
Review: It's five up for the small but already fine NRV label who welcome Me&MyDog for this one. There is a darkness to their brand of tech that is evident from the off with 'Body Move' with its stark drum hits and twist deadline, all topped with some moody vocal mutterings. 'Moonside' brings kinetic rhythms that have carefully designed percussion sprinkled over the top to bring some looseness. A login bassline keeps things firmly rooted to the floor while 'GR308L (6AM mix)' gets more trippy with some acid modulations and wispy synths all fleshing out the minimal grove.
Review: Karachi-born, Toronto-based Measure Divide steps up for a first full EP on Mutual Rytm X here after having become known for reviving Toronto's techno scene through his FORMAT parties. Measure Divide has crafted a distinctive sound in that time which collides techno with innovative breaks and modular experimentation. Drawing from his experience in sound design and film scoring, this playful release departs from his usual serious tones by offering adventurous DJs and listeners a vibrant, chaotic journey through tracks like 'Wormy Wonderland' and 'Eeeeeermmmm' which mix unconventional percussive sounds, twisted synths, and caustic rhythms into real bangers.
Review: Mehdi M's latest EP finds him expertly blending house, techno and bass-driven rhythms into one tight package. While the title might suggest a singular focus, each track on this release demonstrates the breadth of his sonic toolkit. The opener, 'Funky Mission,' kicks things off with a tight house groove, where punchy kicks and sharp snares form a solid foundation, while the high-pitched synth melody gradually builds to an energising peak. It's a fresh, feel-good start. On 'Sunday Service,' the vibe shiftsideep basslines rumble beneath a hypnotic rhythm, pulling the track into a more atmospheric space without losing energy. 'Funky Version' brings back a sense of playfulness, with bouncy bass and tight percussion, driving the track forward while keeping the mood light and funky. 'Tare Mode' stands out with its relentless grooveialmost hypnotic in its repetition, the bassline is starker, a steady pulse that forces the track into full-on motion. Closing things out, 'Ritmics' offers a complex, rhythmic journey, with intricate percussion and shifting textures that ensure the EP finishes as strong as it began.
Review: Florian Meindl keeps it real on a new one for Flash that strikes right at the heart of a strobe-lit dance floor. First up is 'Side Control' which hurries along with clipped drum funk and urgent synth loops that get the heat racing and the feet marching. 'We Grow At Night' gets more frenzies with a wall of squiggling acid and demonic vocals all washing over you to psychotic effect and 'Chaos' keeps up that synapse firing sense of arrest with pixelated synths spraying about the mix. 'Kimura' allows a moment to catch your breath and sink int a drawn out and dubby techno trip before 'False Worlds' closes with more mindfuckery and smart synth craft.
Review: Italian producer Mennie lands on EYA Records here with an EP that hits plenty of contemporary touchstones: techno, retro synths, trance and faster rhythms. 'We Are Not The Plan' has a tech house edge but with cosmic pads and bright melodies, while 'Make It Easy' has playful top lines and a fizzing, textural synth bassline powered by crisp kicks. 'Engine' gets more physical with faster drums and snappy percussive layers, and 'The Story' grinds it out with mechanical stiffness and bleeping synth sequences that bring a retro-future flair. It's all perfectly colourful body music for knowing clubs.
Review: This is a mad decent debut release from veteran musical assistant Meroe "G," also known as Record Shop Roy. This original composition, 'Can't Pay Won't Pay,' was penned by A.G. Marshall and the package also features the legendary Big Youth who delivers the powerful 'Sufferers Cry' vocal in a single striking take- he manages to capture raw emotion with seemingly effortless ease. Next to him, the track boasts an impressive lineup of talent including drums from Horseman, Steven Wright aka Marley on guitar, keys from Henry Holder, saxman Richard Doswell and David Fullwood on trumpet with Paul Kelly adding percussion next to Meroe "G" on vocals and bass. This is a deep, rootsy package crafted with care and spirit that demands to be pumped loud through your best amps.
Review: Merv keeps it super deep here with a trio of supremely tasteful techno cuts doused in dub culture. 'Sliver' is first and awakens the sense with some gentle rattling chords that sound like distant thunder rolling in with a storm. 'Embrace' is airy, with big kicks and frosty pads shimmering across the airwaves and crisp hi-hats cut right through. 'Strain' is last up on the flip and is an elongated journey through some sugary melodic pixelations, a frosty dubscape and hints of melancholia. All are perfect for those late-night and intimate back room sessions.
Review: Mesh Convergence is an artist from South Spain and this is his debut EP. But you would not think it because these are some hi-spec and original techno sounds. 'Reflection Of You' blends prickly percussive loops with distant claps, a percolating low end and tense chord work. 'Despite Everything' has a deft rhythm that floats just above the dance floor and is run through with searching synths and 'Before It Fades' gets more deep and minimal with curious synth sounds and sparse open hi-hats held together with a rugged lead. 'Still Not Over It' is gritty, fizzy, evocative techno for large, dark warehouses.
Review: This superb EP from Metapattern, who has already impressed dn Hayes Records and MORD, is a bold reflection of his identity as an artist. It draws on classic techno but repurposes it with a contemporary edge that belies the producer's mastery of the genre's foundations at the same time as finding him pushing its boundaries. Inspired by Berlin's dark energy, these tunes are minimalistic yet deeply purposeful as they emphasise real restraint, which allows every element to really make its mark over heavy grooves.
Review: The 'No Trickery' EP marks the second release of Connor Mikami's If You Know You Know and it culminates in a poignant tribute to the church that served as a vital dance music hub in Los Angeles until October 2024. 'ET' gets things underway with a gurgling mix of dark and dirty basslines and menacing synth growls. 'Church' has a more clean and serene sound with dumpy kicks and bright chord stabs that bring to mind a late-night sermon. 'Groovy G' is a jacked-up tech cut with cool swing and crispy sabre work topped off with a muted synth phrase.
Review: This rework collection brings a fresh perspective to Goa-influenced tribal techno, blending deep house and tech house elements with innovative, bang up-to-date production skills. Side-1's 'Shaker' (Workout mix), is a rhythmically inventive, funk-laced groove that locks in with an addictive pulse. 'Oase' (Trance mix) follows, fusing Goa textures with a modern sensibilityimystical yet laid-back, perfectly tuned for today's club energy. On the flip, 'Day In Night' (After mix) builds steadily, weaving tribal instrumentation into a hypnotic, evolving structure. 'Dimensional Rhythm' (Dream mix) rounds out the EP with atmospheric layers, rising melodies and an irresistible, driving beat that channels the spirit of classic Goa through a contemporary lens. A creative take on deep, tribal-infused club music from Netherlands-based producer Milio.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Adventure Time (5:32)
Daila (7:45)
Machines Breathe (7:28)
Machines Breathe (Voigtmann remix) (6:14)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Milion's latest EP on HOME//GRXWN is a sharp, energetic showcase of his evolving talent. Blending the raw power of garage with the dynamic edge of electro, this release channels the spirit of underground dance music while pushing it forward. The A-side track, 'Adventure Time', is a standout, layering genre-defying electro beats with euphoric undertones, creating an irresistible blend that's bound to become a regular in DJ sets. 'DALIA' follows and has already cemented its status as a club favourite, with DJs like Dungeon Meat and Enzo Siragusa spinning it to packed dancefloors. It's easy to see why - the track blends garage grooves with a punchy rhythm that keeps the energy high. The B-side shifts gears with 'Machines Breathe', an intricate composition exploring the emotional resonance of mechanical sounds. Voigtmann delivers a remix that amplifies the original's soul, adding his unmistakable groove and funk, to round off a great EP.
Review: Generously filtered, aerated and pressuristic, Alton Miller's latest, and third overall, record for Rawax is a rare breed of sci-fi sonority. 'Feels So Good' starts on an unassuming note before slowly evidencing a dark-horse talent for harmony and piano playing, with 'Next 1' bringing a fusion of French house frisson and sound-designed sunstroke synths; it's only by the undulant depths of 'Can't Master' that we chance upon piquant piano flourishes and standout retrosynth swells. Echoes of 70s dub converge on two versions of the B-side's 'Feel So Good', across which a beckon-calling MC maunders astep an effortless 4x4 flow.
Review: Fresh from the release of her collaborative album with UK house and disco legend Dave Lee, one of Motor City vocalist Maurissa Rose's back catalogue classics - an Alton Miller production first released on Theo Parrish's Sound Signature label in 2017 - is given a string of fresh new revisions. Miller handles side A, delivering vocal and instrumental takes that wrap a punchy and perfectly programmed groove in undulating synth bass, colourful chords, twinkling piano motifs and lilting solos. San Fran man CoFlo handles side B, offering up vocal and instrumental takes rooted in the intersection between deep, soulful house and sun-splashed nu-jazz.
Review: In signature cinematic melodic techno style, Mind Against and Cay bring 'Cant U Hear Me / Trust', laying thick a hi-tech fusion of soulful house and synthetically squeezed sound-energy. The thrumming heartbeat of UK club culture is heart sifted through a harsh cyborg grate, reducing things to a metallurgic, pulmonary pulp. Crystalline percussion, cascading synths... 'Trust' makes particularly pristine use of untainted pluck design, with peaking plucks wriggling in the mid-high layer like buds on a mecha-euphoric flower (just look at that front cover).
Review: German label Minimood keeps it deeper than deep each and every time. The Extra sister label steps up here with the eponymous label head in charge of two more meditative and mindful trips into the underworld of dub. 'Track 1' is perfectly unhurried, with sparse chords punctuating a deeply buried bassline and subtly implied rhythm. Whether warming up or zoning out a room, it's a doozy. The second cut ups the pace a little but still has warm, rounded edges and muffled knocks and hits over a pillow bassline and rubbery kicks that melt to nothing. It's minimal dub techno perfection, frankly.
Review: Ninja Records looks to build on the success of its first outing with a new outing from Miroloja who are brothers and key players in the Parisian underground with great credits already to their name on Berg Audio, Tzinah Records and OLO RECORDS. Their stripped-back but tight sound is laid bare on opener 'Linkblow' with its warm house kicks and wet clicks soon to make you move. 'Morgan' is speedier with some space-tech vibes and a snappier low-end. Closer 'Krazyteora' then explores a creepy late-night urban landscape with some cyclical drums and synths moving things onwards.
Review: Funk editor Mister Mushi finalises the latest fleet-dispatch by the eponymous factory known as Mushi 45. All housed on a distinctive yellow, large-innered 7" record (you know, the you need the metal spindle adapter for), every release on this label is a charm. Here the dotted line marks out a well-defined classic by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock from 1998, 'It Takes Two', which in turn samples Lynn Collins' 'Think', after which this reissue is named and from which the now rather saturated vocal sample originates. James Brown's original production and backing "c'mon!" admonitions shine brightly, while Mushi's extra phattenings also serve to emphasise the mix without peaking it.
West Coast Poplock (Mister Mushi remix part 1) (4:20)
West Coast Poplock (Mister Mushi remix part 2) (4:17)
Review: Disco Donuts strike back with a back-to-back pose in the vein of pivotal disco-funk remixing from local edits master Mister Mushi. Once an out-letter of releases on his own Mushi 45 imprint, through which we heard many another reissue by the likes of Afro Breed and The Ethiopian Brothers, this second of two new migrations over to the Disco Donuts label proves a versatile sound and approach to his craft. The A-sider here features a mechanically reproducible instrumental version of Chic's 'Good Times' mashed up with Ronnie Hudson's 'West Coast Poplock', providing equal doses of freshness and reconnaissance.
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