MARSHALL APPLEWHITE Vinilo y CD

Review: The tenth missive on Vortex Traks is full to bursting with tasty treats. As with many of the Berlin-based imprint's previous outings, it's a multi-artist affair. Marshall Applewhite kicks things off via the deep electro/dusty IDM fusion of "Better Do Not", where eight-bit electronics and undulating acid-style motifs rise above a crunchy beat, before Forehard attempts to batter dancefloors into submission via the full-throttle, Klakson-style Rotterdam electro filth of "Rhythm Device". Das Ding invites us to party in deep space via the high-tempo beats and swirling, some would say psychedelic electronics of "Analog Devices", before VCS2600 serves up some seriously punchy, acid-fired electro ("Modular Device").

Review: A collaboration between Canadian turned Los Angeleno Derek Michael (Droid Recordings) who has links to the city's famed Droid Behavior crew, and Motor City 'sludge' provocateur Marshall Applewhite (How To Kill). The reduced analogue jack of "Astral Dust" is reminiscent of Roman Fluegel's Beverly Hills 808/909 project while the breaks driven "Exothermic" goes for that early '90s IDM feel of early Peacefrog and Planet E. On the flip, the EP's finest moment comes in the form of the late night ketamine jack "The UFO Two". The rusty and dusted down acid electro jam "Winding Wormhole" brings this impressive EP to a fine closing. Detroit Underground was established in 1997 and is a multidisciplinary arts collective, but functions primarily as a record label dedicated to electronic music and video installations. The label aims to take listeners 'on a chaotic and gripping trip into the nexus of modern experimental and future core music'. Previous releases have come from Jimmy Edgar, Jesse Somfay and Richard Devine.

Review: Following up releases by the likes of D.A.R.F.D.H.S and Bestial Mouths, Clan Destine are back, and this selection of various artists continues with their appetite for gritty, low down techno. Shady P's "X Is Whole" is like a Mechanisms Industries 12" played on 33, grinding and sludgy. Marshall Applewhite's "Prostrate" and How R U" by The Friend are pounding and piercing acid techno stompers that you'd have thought to be on Djax Up Beats, circa-'93. "Access Granted" by Gregor Garnutsi is a change of tempo; a deep and atmospheric number with a dreamy chime melody and interesting off beat. "Astaroth" by modern industrial upstarts from Belgium, Orphan Swords, comes off sounding like Ancient Methods on this brutalist industrial strength monster.