OCTOBER Vinilo y CD

Review: Schmorsgabord is a new label, and it launches in style with this collaboration between Laurie 'Appleblim' Osborne and Julian 'October' Smith. The release sounds like a perfect meeting of the former's DJ-friendly bass excursions and the latter's tendency towards deep, dubby techno. Indeed, lead track "NY Fizzzzz" perfectly encapsulates this meeting of minds: the beats are tough and DJ-friendly, yet contain a swinging, Applepips-esque feeling that will let the track get noticed amid the deluge of straighter techno and tech-house releases. Up next, the duo focus on a more experimental approach. "Fountains of Paradise" eschews the dance floor, but the deep, brooding chord soundscape is lent some urgency by the shuddering waves of abstract percussion that occasionally break through the ponderous surface. That the label has decided to put its weight behind two different facets of this collaboration ensures that the end product is very tasty.

Review: The always on-the-money Run Out Run label boomerangs itself back onto our shelves with their seventh release, this time a split effort from a pool of techno juggernauts form around the globe. Label boss Tom Dicicco drops a heavy-loaded master blaster in "16 Reels" - fierce sonics and filtered beats sprawling from every angle - and TX Connect aka Dallas-based producer Gavin Guthrie delivers his usual slice-n-dice approach thanks to an artillery of gritty drum machine beats and bubbly, rolling melodies on "Clouds Like Leopards". On the B-side, there's some Chicago ghetto action from Hermans and Mr Ho on "Late Night Scuttla (Hard Dizzle)", and Bristol's October and Borai team up to make the deep, mystical and dubby sway of "So Many Days".

Review: After the success of the first release, Tanstaafl returns for their second wax adventure, this time with the musical renegade DJ October at the helm. October has entered a new phase of production for the TANSTAAFL series and has focused himself firmly on a reduced, stripped and effective formula for the floor. His productions are heavy, smoked out narcoleptic dub infused journey's, and his latest 12 offers more or less of the same opaque vibe but with his sights firmly set on the floor, with one foot in the past and the other in the future - drawing from his usual Detroit, NYC and Chicago influences. So we kick off 2012 with a future classic, 'Singularity Jump', which douses you in synthesized Saxophone hooks, chopped vocal samples and a meaty Juno Hip-House inspired bass-line. 'Planet Of Minds' is more of a inner space affair very much inspired by acid and dub. Successfully combining the two, October injects more of an airy feel into the mix and delivers a moody cosmic acid jam that will not fail your dancing feet or tripped-out mind. Definitely one for the later hours... This is going to be an anthem, hands down, so get it before it's gone for good.

Review: "Beat Me" is built around a gritty distorted bassline riff, a crispy beat and tasty sonic lacings. "Broody Shaker" takes a slightly more subtle tone, reminiscent of the Plumps in their earlier days. Another solid beat specifically engineered to sound good on the dancefloor.

Review: Arriving in limited quantities and with little chance of a digital release, the newly minted BRSTL label launches in fine style. Central to the label is a mission statement to deliver the best house and techno moments Bristol's constantly bubbling music scene has to offer, something that is expertly executed here in dual fashion by October and Borai. There's undeniable warmth to the rich melodics that swell as lead track "Sticky Fingers" progresses which clearly references the Windy City, though the snapping, upright percussive idiosyncrasies are undoubtedly the work of the West Country. "Left Out" is far more claustrophobic, with steam constantly building amidst the off kilter syncopated flex - a drunken swagger of a groove finally emerging as the swampy bass takes effect.

Review: Next year sees Aus boss Will Saul unveil the Closer project, a conduit for his long promised second album that's set for release on K7! and features contributions from the likes of Paul 'Tikiman' St. Hillaire, Scuba, Appleblim, Ewan Pearson and October. The final Aus release of 2012 has Saul collaborating with October, aka TANSTAAFL boss Julian Smith for the first time on "Light Sleeper" which sees Saul on synths and Smith on drums and makes for a pitch perfect distillation of their partnership with the track bristling in a manner similar to an insomnia riddled STL. Kompakt boss Michael Mayer is on remix duty, deftly balancing Saul and Smith's original sonic aspirations with his own creative urges - the results incorporating several broken rhythmic movements without sacrificing the warmth of the original production.