Back catalogue: Electro

Review: Uwe Schmidt's mammoth artistic stamp has left an indelible mark on electronic music since he first emerged in the 80s as a DIY industrial artist in Frankfurt. His complex, many-sided career has been documented in a new book, AtomTM, the nonconformist virtuoso, which is being bolstered by this mini-compilation from Industrial Complexx and Fill-Lex. The A-side is focused on Schmidt's early work as Lassigue Bendthaus, where he responded to the emergent industrial and EBM phenomenon with a high-definition sound which ranks among the best music of the era. The three tracks sound as relevant today as they were futuristic when originally released. Meanwhile the B-side features two of his most daring works as AtomTM, originally released as The OvercomEP as a digital release in 2022. These angular, experimental studies serve as a neat demonstration of just one place his music has ended up across an accomplished career.

Review: Cititrax's first Tracks 12" sampler did a good job in showcasing material from some of the Brooklyn-based label's favourite contemporary producers. This follow-up, arriving only a few short months after the first, aims to do the same. Returning for his second appearance, Tsuzing kicks things off with the razor-sharp shuffle of "Nonlinear War", whose intoxicating electronics and wild synth lines recall Brown Album-era Orbital, before London-based L/F/D/M takes a trip into bleak techno territory with the acid-laden "Mouth Holes". Flip for Silent Servant's deliciously grandiose, muscular electro-disco workout "The Touch", and the clanking industrial percussion, EBM attitude and humming electro beats of Maelstrom's "Lithium".

Review: Linkwood can do no wrong if you ask us. Whatever music he puts out - be it his collabs with jazz great Greg Foat, his melodic deep house abstracts or this new electro tinged collection, it is gold. He recorded this one with some Moog and Oberheim gear in the Athens of the North studio and casts his net far and wide - there is crisp bit lo-fi, starry eyed electro like 'Shortwave' next to more 80s tinged pop-like nuggets "Rain & Shine' and cosmic explorations such as 'Date-Line'. It is the sound of a producer who can create at will, unbound by rules, but defined by excellence.