ZIPPO Vinilo y CD

Review: This bumper 12" covers plenty of thrilling techno ground in a variety of different ways. Raffaele Attanasio goes for the jugular from the off with steely, tightly packed drums and synth surges that electrify the groove. Markantonio brings layers of wailing diva emotion to his 90s-sounding drum funk and Mattia Trani offers the unrelenting warehouse density of 'Dogtown'. Elsewhere there are more lithe and funky cuts from ZIPPO and a synth-washed roller from MUTE8. All of these are high-impact sounds for the peak time.

Review: Z.I.P.P.O is an Italian born producer now based in Berlin but who brings plenty of Motor City influences to this EP on Mistress Recordings. It is one that holds emotion high up the list of things to get right while colliding both nostalgic and futuristic designs. 'We Need One Another' is an ice-cold and minimal opener and 'Last Hope' is steeped in melancholy thanks to wispy, lingering pads. 'We Need One Another' then comes in three forms with crisp as you like snares and kinetic kicks making for a busy rhythm.

Review: Originally founded in Manchester but now well entrenched in Berlin, SK Eleven continues to fly the flag for stern, unrelenting techno shrouded in gothic undertones with this essential drop from Zippo. The approach is one focused on needlepoint drum programming, running from the twitchy hats and thunderous kicks of 'Pulse & Distortion' to the snappy 909 hits of 'Xukro' on to the mind-warping arps of 'Cannot Stop Thinking', which also features Celina Marie's detached voice calling out the track title in the middle of the maelstrom. At all times it's techno delivered with an accomplished tone, making for must-check gear for any dedicated diggers and DJs.