DOJO ZONE Vinilo y CD

Review: De La Isla EP marks a compelling debut for Espíritu Recordings, showcasing Dojo Zone's versatile production prowess across five tracks. 'Dream Body (Exotica Mix)' kicks off with a potent blend of techno and progressive house, a dynamic journey through pulsating beats and twisted mood swings. 'Houdini Hauz' follows suit, infusing 80s-inspired sounds into a modern tech house, resulting in a groove-laden sonic landscape reminiscent of new wave aesthetics. The EP takes a detour with 'Obscure Entrance,' paying homage to Detroit's rhythmic heritage with its bubbling acid lines and 808 state-esque sounds. 'Bandu Bandu' is another goodie, that ventures deeper into the realms of futurism, with its serious and contemplative tones layered over intricate textures, offering a profound listening experience. Dojo Zone's masterful fusion of retro influences with contemporary production techniques makes this inaugural release from Espíritu Recordings a promising start for the label, setting high expectations for future endeavors.

Review: Dojo Zone is said to be "a local lurker of the backstreets of Santa Catalina" as well as being a deep digger with a fine vinyl collection and a penchant for taps. He has knows a thing or two about crafting some nice fresh minimal sounds, as evidenced here for the Santa Cata label from Spain. 'Mediterranean Express' is as frictionless as they come, with nice jacked drums and balmy pads, then 'Houdini's Hauz' gets more playful with some blurting synths and smeared pads under nice percussive patter. 'Encuentro Tropical is a steamy and cruising groove with irresistibly warm bass and 'Viaje Del 23' (Isla mxi) shuts down with some topical cosmic vibes.

Review: Mallorca-based artist Todd Gartland made a sizeable impression with his first 12" Move Electronic, which launched the Planetary Instinct label back in 2021. Since then he's graced Eterno and CABARET and now he's bringing his artful blend of tech house, breaks and psychedelia back for another sizzling bout of ear-candy. 'Dubby Doingz' is a funked up roller with bewildering layers of sonic trickery sneaking around the spooky synth lines and chunky beat. 'Eek-A-Freak (Sub Mix)' brings some pointed, crusty reggae samples into the mix for a lean and mean soundsystem workout, while 'Hope For Humanity' strikes a melancholic tone in its own cultivation of samples, synths and drums. B2 joint 'Space Dub Extract' is a stand-out curveball that slips down to hip-hop tempo and piles on some delightfully trippy modular synth licks that should go down well with the bean bag cognoscenti.

Review: Depending on whether or not you had a material arts phase during your childhood you might already know that a Dojo is a place to do karate. Dojo Zone, though, is a place to pull a different kind of move - dance moves. His Abduction EP sure will get you doing that with the mysterious cosmic vibes of 'Nocturnal Activity' built on rugged drum patterns and snaking bass. Elsewhere is the intergalactic techno trip that is 'External Energy' and acid funk of 'Mystery On Pete's Street' as well as a fine John Shima Extraterrestrial mix.

Review: Santa Cata kicks off with a first release that takes the form of a various artists' EP and lays out their vision of minimal and tech house. Halbert's 'Mixed Feelings' is first and is a jittery and metallic tech cut with stark hits but dreamy chords. There is more kick to the kicks of Dojo Zone's 'Pasedonia' while Dani Casarano spins out some wonky drum machine energy and blotting synths on 'Time Chains.' Hamid shuts down with another modular workout that brims with various synth textures from trippy and late night to frosty and distorted on 'What Bout Music.'