MARTYN Vinilo y CD

Review: The ever versatile and innovative Martyn goes back to his bass roots again with three explorations into three of the UK's most important offerings to the dancefloor: UKG, D&B and dubstep (the genre in which Martyn first made his name) The title track is an industrial strength two-step vibe-out with gloopy, oily textures around the molten steppy rhythm. "BC 2", meanwhile, takes us back to the late 90s/early 2000s. Think Photek, Johnny L, Source Direct and you're in the right dance. Finally "Rhythm Ritual" takes us back to 2008 with a bright bashy technoid twist on the ever-evolving dubstep schematics. Timeless.

Review: Martyn's last physical album came out all the way back in 2014, when the term 'post' had still yet to gain notoriety and a meaningful relevance to the music industry. It is now 2018, and it's clear that Martyn, the Dutch bass legend, has a new story to tell, and it's thanks to Ostgut Ton that he's able to tell it. Voids is a magnificently deep and treacherous LP, often relying on abstract shapes to give the techno its edge, much like on "Voids One" and the following "Manchester". Aside from the beatless thrills, though, Martyn drops an impressive amount of hybrid burners, such as "Mind Rain" or "Why" - both representative of the blending of sounds that has taken electronic music by the scruff of the neck. It's a more pensive, more exploratory Martyn, and we love it.

Review: Dutch techno maestro is back and delivers a fine four track EP for Berlin institution Ostgut Ton. On the A side: "Falling For You" is deep soulful techno with a nod to Detroit with its funky synth bassline and melancholic piano notes leading you fully into oblivion over its nine minute glory. On the B side we have "U1-U8", possibly a reference to the Berlin underground routes and quite fitting really. A stomping epic warehouse techno cut that could match anything Shed or Mike Denhert have done of late. Finally "Ahmadiya" gets back on the soulful side with its dreamy bell melody and entrancing stabs, dancing on top of a vicious broken beat shuffle.

Review: The Zehn 12" sampler series from cam Ostgut Ton reaches edition Sieben and features Martyn, Atom TM, Tobias and Planetary Assault Systems on the cut. It's the DC-based Dutchman that takes the A-side honours with "Jah Bedouin", a trademark hybrid cruncher from Martyn that pairs a UK rhythmic bent with tunnelling dub techno vibes and the occasional, yet wholly enthusiastic vocal sample that inspired the title. Face down Tobias and Atom TM experiment with a darker strain of sinewy techno on "Physik E7532" whilst Luke Slater is in banger mode for closing PSA cut "Hama Static".

Review: Martyn and Roman Lindau are first up on this series of EPs to coincide with Ben Klock's impressive Berghain 04 mix, and it's a must have for fans of deep techno steppers. 'Miniluv' sees Martyn delve into the traditional rhythms of 4/4, with an infectious chime groove sounding out over a shuffling etheral techno beat as lasers shoot out from the depths of the prodduction. Roman Lindau gets all moody on us with the industrial 'Keppra' the subtle patter of pads barely audible below the shuddering growl of the bass line. One of the best releases so far this year.