ANTON KUBIKOV Vinilo y CD

Review: Two sides of mega-minimal, textural minimal and a dash of drone here, shared equally between friends Bastian Balders and Anton Kubikov. The producers bring a sophistication to the tech, reflecting the huge variation in the emotions they indulge. Something between ecstasy and horror is heard on Balders' 'Machinery', while Kubikov's 'Introland' is comparatively hopeful and tearjerking, with its delayed piano refractions and filtery-in-and-out strings.

Review: Renowned Russian producer Anton Kubikov presents the Attic Eccentric EP, a showcase of his mastery in minimal and tech house. On Side-1, 'Last Days' delivers a moody, ominous minimal techno journey, rich with atmospheric tension. Following is 'C'est Anna,' a deep and dubby techno track that weaves in eerie, haunting elements, perfect for those late-night sets. Side-2 features 'Last Days' (Ferlin Crossroads mix), a remix that injects an upbeat, techier energy into the original, offering a bouncier, more dynamic groove. Kubikov’s EP demonstrates his adeptness at blending minimal and techno with a distinctive edge, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.

Review: Mega-minimal ambient dub from Anton Kubikov, whose music emerges with all the push-pull of a locomotive piston. 'Weather Forecast' truly does sound like a meteorologists' crystal ball; synaptic chord pulses, and offhand bass licks, accompany the mix's overall drive. Prince Morella, an as yet unknown toaster, appears on the vocal version of the B with Bluetrain at the controls, delivering a freestyle that repeats the urgent mantra: 'rain is a gift'.

Review: Aterral Limited has taken things slowly to start with but that's fine because the quality of the label's first few releases has remained high. Carlo is behind this one and opens up the EP with 'Hungover', a tune that features Black Loops, who has previously released his own EP on the label. It's lithe, funky deep house with silky synth work and classic drums. 'Lelazo' (feat Emanuele Barilli) carries on down the same path but this time has a darker bassline and more garage tinged skip in the grooves. On the flip side things slow down to a sunset sound on 'Maison' (feat Hauke Freer) and 'Poops' Feat O is a tight, well swung bumper with jazzy keys. Robust and emotive house music from front to back, then.

Review: Leap hit double figures and over the nine previous releases has managed to establish a signature sound that has found favour with cultured techno heads. The Foundation EP is a various artists affair that opens up with a mix from Dutch deep smith Reshape. His usual dusty and grainy aesthetic colours the mid-tempo dub drums and eerie synth work. 'Creation Dub' is a little lighter and brighter with rippling chords and undulating low ends. Anton Kubikov then lets in yet more light with his lush synth smears and subtly funk house drums on 'Power Under Your Skin.' It's pure heads-down tackle from Alexander Wirth who closes out with 'Another Round' (feat Mantsche).