Review: Jooice, yet another sublabel of London-based proggy dance and electro label Lirica Archives, drop a swell new dark acid trance release collectively smithed by five sound-stokers: J6, Christian Sarde, Aline Umber, Krol and Otis. Each titans in their respective scenes (between which there is much crossover on this release), the overarching mood is one of renegade sci-fi escapism and revolution, with glitching, quivering robo-vocals and technic, sciencey sound-tunnellings aplenty.
Review: A quick piping of ultrafast space-techno comes as a six-track aural electro-techno drip, courtesy of Berlin's Mechatronica Music. The second in their 'Constellations' series of V/A EPs, this is an exodic exultation, charting top farings from the likes of Umwelt, Ben Pest and Viikatory. Umwelt's opening charge 'Stellar Oscillations' is a warpsped drive back to the retrofuture, with punctured stabs and fractal chord efferents propelling a lengthy trance crissing 'cross the milky way. Pest's 'Shodan' takes a detour, recharging at an interstellar traction substation specialising in sputtery, kilowatted electro. And 'Be Scared Of Clowns' is the titular highlight by Prz & Ori bringing a different spaceship to the same docking bay; it is the comparative Borg cube to the A3's Romulan craft, lessening any residual humanity for a shocking laserdesign B cut.
Review: Step aboard Venetia's spaceship and embark on a journey that is well with it across his fine debut EP. The ride kicks off with 'Camel' which is driven by a purring bassline that might evoke a familiar nostalgia. 'Jet' follows by weaving a hypnotic melody with sweet acid flourishes. 'The Mind' then delivers a powerful stew of vocoder-laced vocals and commanding bass and finally, 'Shangri-La Disco' closes the voyage with its striking, disorienting energy and unifying dance floor vibes. Venetia's ability to craft rich soundtracks is evident here and we're already looking forward to hearing what he has to say next.
The Exaltics & Paris The Black Fu - "Wea Poni Zedin Form" (4:02)
Alex Jann - "Android Memory" (5:31)
Lost Souls Of Saturn - "Rave Is Back" (6:31)
Kim Cosmik - "Moonrise" (6:58)
Review: Ralph Lawson's Leeds based 20/20 Vision label has made a distinctive shift into electro territory over the last couple years. It is a sound the boss has said has long been in his heart despite him being best known as a house head and longtime resident at Back to Basics, and the quality of the tunes he unearths to put out more than backs that up. The Exaltics & Paris The Black Fu kick off with a shiny, bright, visceral metallic electro workout then three further cuts take in dark wave drum machine rhythms and acid-laced bangers.
Review: By now, at least one dimension of the electro genre has turned out so misanthropic that one of its keystone artists has called itself Human Rebellion - as if to suggest humanity is the exception, not the rule. With the artist now debuting on Hilltown Disco after a wonderful eight EPs so far, this one hears the so far faceless bot push themselves to 'Outer Limits' by way of a waspish bluebottle buzz line, then break through the proverbial 'Magnetic Field' to revelatory effect: deep pulse leads and firm kicks, awash in a sense of broken-free elation. 'Endless Day' and 'Exploration' harken the B-side, dystopi-fying the proceedings through a relative industrial feel, implying a robot crackdown on human insurgency. The former has a brilliant breakdown, with a short cyborg monologue opining, railing against guinea pig-style entrapment: "I want to get out if this experiment. Aren't there enough testable subjects...?"
Review: Casper Hastings is neither a ghost nor from Hastings. He is an electronic innovator from Ireland who has built up a fine catalogue on the likes of TXTRL and Sticky Ground. He is back on the Yin Yang label here with another high class assault that draws on electro, jungle and techno. Opener 'Tangerine Meme' sets the scene with crisp drum programming and snappy drum breaks underpinned by warped acid. 'Reaper' is as menacing as the title suggests with more direct, punchy electro and Peder Mannerfelt flips it into a surging wall of techno. 'Ruthless Romance's a devastating edge of breaks-driven jungle and 'Good Medicine' has bleeping synths over wobbly low ends and caustic drum funk.
Review: SIKU's various artists offerings always result in a nice and varied sound across two sides of vinyl and the sixth such drop is another one worth of attention for techno heads. Onoffon opens with 'Matter What' which rides on raw drums with slapping hits and stark synths, while Sebastian's 'Dreams Metaphors' has a ghoulish energy and dark, twisted synth menace. Rufo brings some cosmic wonder and bleeping melodic sequences to 'Mr Wonderful' and Brian Topham's 'Expressive Dimension' is a straight up tool with burrowing leads.
Review: EYA Records and Alien Communications have come together to launch new label EYALIEN and do so with some effective techno from Rydeen. 'Puzzles' gets things underway with a blend of poppy melodies and saw tooth synth buzzes over increasingly percussive drums. 'Peace Of' is more menacing with gritty low ends and grinding drums topped with wobbly synths. The characterful sounds continue on 'Katabalaxa where sheet metal snares and wormy leads bring dynamism and last but not least, 'Mwvave Koncxi' closes with a more widescreen sound thanks to the synth smears that add colour to more minimal, metallic beats.
Review: Frustrated Funk is one of the very many labels out of the Netherlands that offers up house and techno music with a through line to the Chicago and Detroit foundations. It is top tackle with a timeless edge and that proves to be true again with this one from Lost Trax. '23' is both dreamy and cancerous but groovy. 'And Or' is more wonky with mad acid, 'It's All Good' is a downbeat synth interlude, 'Grib' is lo-fi and experimental with Omar S style aesthetics and 'The Watcher' closes with more dusty and brilliant depths.
Review: It's not a scam... it's Skam! To the Skam sister label Kasm comes Russell Haswell with a mitre-sawing electro release, veering toward brash abstraction. A gobby intonation is wrought from the distortion send here, where drums near-vocally poke through the muck, like rambunctious talking ghosts in machines. Warring allusions to lost humanity take shape on titles like 'Fractured Bones' and 'Tournament Species', where cyborg gladiators rise from their catacomb internments to face off against each other again and again, in haunted perpetuity. 'Different Takes' is the best example of the record's at times tempoless ferocity, scattering what remains as an intuitive pulse across phase-distorted gargles and made-wonky beat hydraulics.
Review: London's Lonewolf are an unstoppable machine, unerring in their ability to output solo artists' EPs while juggling outputting huger year-end compilations. This latest from Suicide Aftr 7 is a higher-calibre acid techno stirrer, doing a rather sophisticated justice to the otherwise broad aesthetic that is "eerie atmospheres and mystic soundscapes". 'Double Speak' pairs naive vocals with strobing lead lines, while 'Tomorrow's Past' darkens the proceedings by way of descendingly gothic minor tones, before 'Rubber Lover' flattens the mood through classic Chi-claps and breathy vocals.
Review: Get ready for some proper breakbeat tackle as Oil Gang reprobate Boylan recruits the troops for a heavyweight apocalyptic 140 BPM showdown. With the likes of Slimzee, Trends, D.O.K, U.S.F and Youngsta all on side, the mood is tense and the textures are rough. Imagine that sci-fi sternness of Virus, that old school rolling breakbeat bass of Koma & Bones or Evil 9 complete with the more modern neck snap abrasion of acts like Former or Coido and you're in the right rave. Mean, gritty and unapologetic.
Review: Aedis, aka one half of Iso Aka, is the work of David Iriarte, an Amsterdam-based artist who delves into deep techno territory here with burrowing sounds that are physical but cerebral in equal measure. It's a sound he has interrogated on several EPs for the likes of Hivern Discs in the last five years but never as successfully as this. On Zevar, he navigates tech house depths, mystic 2-step and rolling techno and the EP's spaciousness is striking-modulated delays, cavernous reverb and deep sub frequencies create an immersive trip detailed with fragmented voices and psychedelic refrains on 'Xtz'', intricate breaks on 'Station' and heavy bass tones on 'RTHM' which add texture and tension. Each track balances revelation and restraint. Classy stuff.
Review: Hand-wringing nighttime synth-Talo movements from B Ai, the curtly named new Lirica Archives signee and Motivation club night founder, based in China. While she opens this hat-trick of tracks with a rather functional, FM-driven drama, 'Hope', it's really the Diego Santana featurer 'Murderbot Diaries' that gets us going; the track breaks down into a supremely lasery, tubular, harmonically next-level strobing, conjuring alt-visions of a seedy but gaudy cyborg entertainment district. B-sider 'Once' Tron-ifies things with sweeping sines and popcorn leads, whilst 'Only We Know' utilises transitory crash cymbals and further slinky melodies, constructing a closing tech-funk number.
Review: Milan-based 'multi-disciplinary' project Opal looks to countryman Marco Maggi, aka Mama, for a new techno investigation that finds the producer heading into new territory. There is still a real focus on the dance floor here but rich sound designs make these tunes more than just functional fodder. 'Demo35' has a nice rugged and loopy rhythm which is paced well and marked with spooky synths. 'Demo39' is more snappy with alien motifs bringing the beats and swollen bass notes to life. 'Demo29' keeps the deep rhythm going, this time with some bright back-lit synth glows and 'Demo21' shuts down with a more physical broken beat and late night urban intrigue.
Review: UK house producer Jhobei steps up for Bizarre Trax's sixth release with a five-track journey that perfectly encapsulates his dynamic and ever-inventive approach to groove. From the outset, the EP leans into hypnotic, off-kilter rhythms and fluid basslines, expertly balancing heads-down sophistication with a playful, club-ready energy. The A-side pulls into deeper, more cerebral territory, while the flip side loosens up, embracing warmer tones and funk-infused melodies. 'Synthesize Hypnotize' kicks things off with rolling low-end pressure and tripped-out textures, setting the tone for an EP that thrives on movement and subtle intricacy. By the time 'Fuchsia Funk' arrives to close things out, Jhobei has shifted gears into pure dancefloor mischiefielastic bass, crisp drum programming and an undeniable bounce that nods towards sunlit festival moments. As ever with Bizarre Trax, it's forward-thinking yet undeniably fun, a balance Jhobei strikes with effortless flair.
Review: Swiss DJ Princess P presents a new selector's compilation and journey, spanning over a decade's worth of rare lo-fi, post-rocky and indietronic builds, all awash with the blanket buzzes of tape and saturation. Sporting liner notes from Optimo's JD Twitch, this is a wonderfully rare case of a properly yet individually released mix album. The music spans West Coast US dance music, industrial, and kitsch pop effusions from 1980 to the present, sporting a wide array of "file under" tags including rave, retro, space rock, cosmic, introspective, minimal, acid, ambient, and transcendental (to name only a few essential keywords). The full gamut of dreaminess is laid down here, peaking at the Natalie Beridze lo-fi breaks cut 'Forever Has No Shadow'.
Review: Now released officially, Zackey Force Funk & XL Middleton's 'Hey MF / Phone Home' first came in a cloud of hype amid the decision by MoFunk to release "exactly ONE" copy of the test pressing to whomever proved themself keen enough to own it. We're not surprised that the label might anticipate such fan fervour, since this is a uniquely totalising modern funk gem, manifesting technically as a Johnny Chingas cover but in practice evidencing the relentlessly singular, syncretic combined production style of the LA natives. Chingas' original lyrics are invidious but infectious, a mood coaxed further out by the duo's breathy talkbox usage: "hey motherfucker, who do you think you are? you think you so much better than everybody else... what do you mean I'm a fake DJ?!"
Review: The perfect mix of "cheeky" and "darkside" best describes this latest signing by electroclash figurehead The Hacker to Rekids, emulsifying two oppositely-humoured vibe mixers, like pink and green, horror and comedy. 'Turborave' and 'Harmonia' stir the pot from different points of view; the former uses pitched-down orchestral stabs, and the latter fires off laser-powered globs against cosmic, final-hurrah synths. The latter track, especially, is commendable for its squelch control, with said lasers firing at a ballistically variable harmonic frequencies in the breakdown; miraculously, all angles are housed in a slinky sonic wire casing, carefully conducted to tempt us to, but ultimately not, blow a fuse.
Review: Spain seems to be turning out an ever more vital array of labels that delve into the vast world of electro. And here we have the grand arrival of another, Follow Your Mind, which offers up some nice cerebral styles from Samuel Jabba. 'Memorias Del Futuro' is raw and direct with frazzled pads and snappy drums, 'Retrospection' (Inferno mix) has a throwback sci-fi vibe with visceral synths firing across the linear drums and 'Lost In Space brings that nice sci-fi edge. Last of all is 'Vision Of U' with its silky arps and snappy drums all topped with some cool vocoder vocals.
Review: Dead Poets Society return to Radioaktion Recordings with a four-track EP that delves into the darker corners of techno and house, a sonic exploration for those who like their nights long and their music with a touch of the macabre. 'What They Had' sets the tone, its hypnotic groove and haunting melodies weaving a tapestry of sound that's both captivating and unsettling, like a midnight stroll through a graveyard bathed in moonlight. 'Wherever You Are' takes a more introspective turn, its ethereal textures and melancholic chords inviting listeners to get lost in its depths, a sonic sanctuary for those moments of introspection on a crowded dancefloor. But don't be fooled by the EP's introspective moments; 'Dance 'Till The Cops Come' is a relentless techno roller, its driving rhythm and dark energy practically forcing movement, a track that seems designed to induce a collective trance on the dancefloor. 'Nobody Likes You' closes out the release with a touch of dark humour, its distorted vocals and gritty bassline adding a playful edge to proceedings.
Review: The Black Dog's Foucauldian 2009 CD opus hears an honorific remaster and reissue through Dust Science on vinyl, extending the trio's concern with Orwellian surveillance and state-capitalist intrusions into the present. "From billion-dollar corporate entities openly mishandling our data for profit to highly targeted and manipulative political propaganda campaigns, the misuse of our data and communications is far more sophisticated and devious than originally envisaged," says tBd's Martin Dust of the sinister side of today's sociopolitical climate. The tracks therein still elicit much emotion, with 'Northern Electronic Soul' especially charging our intensities despite moods of data scouring and electromagnetic hoarding and 'Skin Clock' co-opting even the more glamorous ends of modern techno-life.
Basement Space & Mans Glaeser - "Spacer Glaezer" (6:01)
Eric OS - "Timeout" (5:11)
Baby Rollen - "TwentyTwenty Home" (8:23)
Anna Kohlin - "What Time Is It?" (7:06)
Review: A releaser that crackles with an energy that could only emanate from the shadowy corners of the Swedish electronic underground. Anna Kohlin, label co-head and architect of hypnotic soundscapes, guides us through a diverse sonic landscape, her own 'What Time Is It?' leading the charge. Built from the evocative textures of the Roland JV-1080, it shimmers with a sunrise glow, ethereal pads interweaving with delicate melodies. Kohlin, a master of contrasts, doesn't shy away from the shadows, injecting her creation with sharper, dynamic elements that add a touch of grit to the dreamlike atmosphere. Eric OS throws down a challenge with 'Timeout', a sonic time capsule that transports us back to the early 2000s. Analogue warmth collides with the raw energy of digital sound, vintage synths intertwining with crisp beats in a nostalgic yet undeniably fresh sonic tapestry. Baby Rollen, armed with a looped double bass sample and the crisp snap of a 909, crafts a hypnotic groove with 'TwentyTwenty Home'. A warm 303 bassline snakes through the mix, adding a touch of acid-tinged euphoria to the already infectious rhythm. Basement Space and Mans Glaeser, never ones to shy away from the unconventional, deliver 'Space Glaezer', a sonic maze that twists and turns through intricate textures and unexpected rhythmic shifts. Kohlin's curation is nothing short of masterful, showcasing the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of the Swedish electronic music scene. Inside Out 002 is a testament to the power of electronic music to transport, inspire, and defy expectations.
Deborah Sasson & MCL - "(Carmen) Danger In Her Eyes" (Curses Revamp) (6:38)
Philadelphia Five - "Not Leaving Without Jerry" (Andi Revamp) (5:11)
JWB Hits The Beat - "House Fatale" (Curses Revamp) (7:01)
Voyou - "Houseman" (Stockholm Syndrome AU Revamp) (5:51)
Review: An EP that takes you through elevated 80s-inspired coldwave and synth soundscapes, matching nostalgia with modern production and featuring a seamless fusion of proto-techno, EBM and synth-pop. Side-1 opens with Deborah Sasson & MCL's 'Danger In Her Eyes' (Curses Revamp), a thrilling reimagination of new beat and synth-pop. The addition of vocal samples elevates its vintage essence, delivering a futuristic gem that's both haunting and danceable. Next, Andi's rework of 'Philadelphia Five's Not Leaving Without Jerry' injects energy with its uptempo groove, merging EBM rhythms with a dash of disco flair for an infectious, club-ready cut. Side-2 starts with 'House Fatale' (Curses Revamp) by JWB Hits The Beat, an ode to late 80s synth-pop akin to My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. Chopped vocals and melodic synths create a hypnotic, era-defining vibe. Finally, Stockholm Syndrome AU's revamp of 'Voyou's Houseman' leans into heavier industrial and EBM tones, blending them for a powerful conclusion. This collection is a great example in reviving and reinventing vintage sounds, offering a fresh perspective on timeless styles.
Review: Into the fifth dimension flies UK producer Smev with a wicked cosmic acid journey of an EP. Billed as a bridge across the void into an alternate reality, we begin at the 'Tip Of The Iceberg' before plunging down below, concluding on a state of ending up happily 'Lost In The Realm'. Echoic squelch-synths abound, generously doused in reverb as we skirt and skip across atmospheric dusts of half-recalled affirmations - "destruction... believe in yourself..." - on 'Sweet Destruction', where the EP takes a darker turn. More energised, by comparison, is 'Rest Easy', which leaves us paradoxically, affectively unable to do anything but.
Review: This slab of wax serves up three electrifying cuts that will satisfy any electro enthusiast's cravings. With its futuristic, flighty vibe, the title track 'Drive By' immediately grabs attention with its vintage-inspired electro sound. The synths are crisp, and the rhythm is punchy, making it a great nod to classic electro, yet with a modern flair. The first remix by Christian AB, Autopilot mix 1, channels a Kraftwerk-like feel, infusing the track with electro that's perfect for breakdancing. It's a highly energetic rework, leaning into the mechanical, hypnotic elements that define the genre. The second remix, Autopilot mix 2, delves deeper into the groove, with a more prominent bassline and intricate rhythm patterns. This version ups the intensity, giving the track a fresh, updated vibe while maintaining the raw energy of its predecessor. With Christian AB and UK electro veterans Transparent Sound at the helm, this 12" delivers a standout set of tracks that balance classic electro with cutting-edge production.
Confidence Man & Sweely - "Don't You Know I Am In A Band" (4:36)
Aline Umber & Maxime DB - "J'ecoute Une Cassette" (feat Mickael Baker) (4:15)
Brian SNR - "In The Dark" (feat Lebo Mashile) (6:27)
Hostom - "What's Your Name" (5:12)
Review: "Don't you know I'm in a band?" Seven words that have never failed to further one's social standing, or so say Confidence Man and Sweely. The artists kick off this new naughty, funky house one from AirFunk with an iconic original, providing ample clues as to which steps to take if one should so desire to climb the ladder of cool. Backed up by equally funky and quietly confident action-funk stingers from Aline Umber, Maxime Db, Brian SNR and Hostom, this is a thoroughly unique V/A, all of whose tracks nail a soaked sweet spot of hip finesse and dreamy depth.
Review: Once more unearthing a rare and classic electro funk piece, Candy McKenzie's 'Remind Me' gets a proper 12" reissue, homing in on her classic cover of the Patrice Rushen original. Chugging, slick and wacky, McKenzie's vocals glisten and flit over a raw electro beat, heralding offbeat and Texan funk guitar, electrics and basses alike. As much is true for the 'Different Style' dub on the flip.
Review: A dynamic fusion of ghetto electro, trance and techno, this record is a fresh spin on familiar sounds. The title track, 'Booty Trance (feat Detroit's Filthiest)', is sure to stand out with crisp production that blends high-energy trance melodies with the raw edge of ghetto electro, creating an electrifying single. 'Another Time' shifts gears, drawing on 90s influences to craft an electro-techno hybrid that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Its futuristic vibe and driving rhythm make it a standout for fans of classic electro with a modern twist. On Side-2, the Rawtakes Refix of 'Booty Trance' strips back the trance elements, leaning deeper into electro with a nod to Cybotron's iconic 'Clear'. The result is a grittier, street-smart version that feels grounded yet innovative. Closing the EP, the remix by Aura T-09 and Wheez-ie transforms the track into a hardcore techno anthem. The stomping beat and reimagined trance melodies elevate the energy, blending celestial tones with raw intensity. This EP is creative within the techno genre with diverse interpretations that will resonate across dancefloors and playlists alike.
Review: The Maltese machine funk specialist himself Keith Farrugia is back once more with yet more of his impeccable electro business as Sound Synthesis. This time the prolific producer is shoring up on Burnski's Infiltrate label with four cool and deadly cuts which build on his previous drops for 20:20 Vision, Furthur Electronix, Orbital Mechanics and more besides. From the nervy sci-fi flex of 'Motor Space Maps' to the playful fun n' games of 'Back In Time', Farrugia knows exactly what he's doing within the electro blueprint, and his tracks are reliably punchy warm - a true master at work.
Review: Carl Finlow has produced an astonishing catalogue of music over a career spanning three decades, with his discography including hundreds of releases and remixes under a variety of monikers. 'Desequence' is the latest edition to Finlow's expansive productions and a masterclass in electronic music.
'Desequence' kicks off the record with a heavy dose of integalactic funk with interstellar beats rockin' over squelchy bass lines and razor sharp glitches. While 'Downstream' delivers a warped groove wrapped up in Finlow's intricate programming.
'Guttural' is an overwhelming assault of rapid fire elements, forming complex off kilter breaks littered with robotic licks and served over deep, low end bass. 'Wavefront' closes yet another impeccable addition to Finlow's highly accomplished works, with an off planet adventure through extraterrestrial soundscapes.
Review: For those not schooled in Drexciyan history, Lab Rat XL was a short-lived alternative alias of the legendary Motor City electro duo. Mice or Cyborg, the project's only release, originally appeared on Clone in 2003, just months after member James Stinson passed away. These days original copies are highly sought after, making this reissue more than welcome. It remains a superb example of timeless, otherworldly electro and techno fusion, with Stinson's penchant for ethereal melodies, atmospheric chords and fizzing drum machine rhythms - such a regular feature of his work with both Drexciya and the Other People Place - rightfully coming to the fore. Naturally, the inherent positivity of some of the tracks is counter-balanced by clandestine creepiness in others, making Mice or Cyborg a brilliantly balanced and hugely entertaining collection of cuts.
Review: Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti are busy reissuing remastered versions of their most classic albums. Pagan Tango originally came in 1991 and was described at the time by Melody Maker as "perfection." This is the first time the album has been available on vinyl since it was originally put out and it comes on limited red vinyl with a printed inner sleeve of archival photos making it a real collector's special. Tracks like 'Ecstasy' reference the trendy drug of the day, there is taut EBM on 'Take Control' and more sultry tunes on 'Face to Face'.
Review: You've heard of Two Shell, but now it's time for Two Cold, whom you almost certainly (and criminally) haven't. A mysterious project blending lo-fi, acid house, and electro, 'Desert Leather' is their latest statement of intentional crunch, spanning everything from dungeon-synthy workouts to bouncy acid oddballs. Most of note is the sonic rubber ball that is 'Katanga Slide', essentially a sports-whistling body-motivator from cyberspace.
Review: Italian nightclub and label Sound Department issues a new ministerial decree come EBM-infused techno EP by one Fisherman. Angling big hauls of raw and raunchy, yet still ethereal dance builds, the DJ and producer flexes both vocal and production chops here. 'Walking' is a duly strange track, with wordless vocals gliding across cutting FM syntheses, whilst 'Lagoon' sounds to reflux a so far unidentifiable form of alien sonic bile. 'Go To Sleep' brings back the energy with a wackier, one-shot-voxxing turn, while closer 'Bang' hears the EP save its full-bodied heaviness for last, being the track with the least sensitivity and most bulk, as a commandeering voice booms over the tannoy.
Review: Returning some 25 years after its original release on the beloved IDM label deFocus, these three refreshed takes on the skittering melodic gem of the genre are something to behold. The original 'Arrest' shines with jittery beats and intricate melodic patterns, embodying and example of the best of early 2000s. Nuron's remix keeps the track's kinetic energy but envelops it in lush textures, creating a perfect balance of rhythmic complexity and ambient depth. Voyance's remix pivots toward organic instrumentation, introducing drum sounds that ground the track while maintaining its melodic evolution, a satisfying balance between the original and a fresh, dynamic new feel. Mike Golding's ambient techno rework is a standout, blending his vintage touch with the original's core elements, a sublime, paradisiacal soundscape that recalls great memories of this golden era of challenging new melodic music. A project that succeeds on so many levels, artistically and creatively.
Review: Gerard Hanson, known as techno don Convextion, delivered three deep electro gems as ERP for Frustrated Funk and the cuts were soon regarded as mini modern classics. As such the EP gets reissued on blue vinyl and from the off he lays down a killer moody electro-funk vibe with the elastic basslines and emotive synth strokes of 'Luctu.' The B-side 'Tuga' captivates with its beautiful strings and harmonised synths, while 'Pith' charms with its hushed, In Sync-style drum machine rhythms and a nocturnal vibe. Hanson's rich, emotive electro-artistry is fully on display here.
Review: Ulysses is the founder of Scatalogics Records and he first dropped this EP there back in 2003. More than two decades on it stands up to modern floors so gets a reissue courtesy of DAMN. 'Stripped Down' combines percussive house drums with free-roaming synth sequences and cosmic radiance into something bright and breezy. 'Immaterial' is a darker sound with gritty electronics and vocoder vocals for a retro-future feel. Both of these are the sort of characterful cuts to switch up the mood and groove in any set.
Review: For the fourth release in the electro-acid V/A series 'The Electro Guilde', Zodiak Commune present a three-split 12" from the combined forces of Johnfaustus, Akkaelle and AXIS3340, with a doombound selection of ominous tunes in the style. 'Deimos' and 'Dione' are Johnfaustus' opening odysseys and the latter especially blindsides us with its strained synth strings and trepidatiously tuned sixteenths. B-sider 'The Plants Move' is pitiless by comparison, annihilating everything in its path with bodying impacts and piquant pluck-slips; 'Ashes', on the close, incorporates guttural, stretchy sound design below a skeletal, atrial mix over and above.
Review: Memento Records presents this gem from French producer and DJ Voiron who is a rising talent in techno. The new EP showcases a vision for blending acid, rave, hardcore, ghetto and hard house influences. This one opens with the energetic title track with driving acid sounds, while the 90s-inspired 'Voiron Mania' takes you back to the old school, the breakbeat-heavy 'Donjon Et Voiron' is for the peak time and the dreamy, experimental 'D'Or Et De Voiro' offers a nice different sound. Fun fact, alongside Voiron's work as a producer, he is also a cartoon designer.
Review: Barcelona's 22Recordings mark a curveball with Nativo's new release, moving away from their trademark darkness and ever further into playful and melodic, if still diatonic, sounds. Patently led by the drum machine and the step sequencer, the rising producer Nativo flexes their chops across five tracks of varying speed and tenacity, all of which cross between an intuitive pastiche of dark Italo on one spectral end, and pure outsider house music on the other. The mood is gruff but clownish; it's as if your local fairground had been overtaken by vampire bats and bloodthirsty goths. Closer 'Onivia' is the only moment of respite, bringing an impressive substrate of arpeggios to an overall final-shebang feel.
Review: Given that both producers are underground titans, traversing the blurred lines between disco, acid, deep house and wide-eyed dreaminess, you'd expect this two-track collaboration between Eddie C and Keita Sano to be pretty darn good. It is, of course, with the pair carving their own mind-mangling, breathlessly energetic niche on 'Disco Universal' - a certified throb-job in which trippy noises, exotic instrument samples and pulse-racing electronic motifs rise above a thumping beat and Italo-disco style sequenced bassline. It slows down midway through, 'French Kiss' style, before the duo brilliantly bring it back to a peak-time tempo. They explore sub-heavy, garage-influenced deep house and breakbeat pastures on the dreamy, weighty, impactful and acid-fired 'Joy Joy Joy', once more showcasing the diversity of their musical influences.
Review: The third EP by DJ Immortal aka Paul Tellimerg brings hip Latin voxes, metallic percs and generative stylings to a functional tech funk palette, serving several big and brash cuts, the logical result of a recent encounter between fellow producer Dawidu. A2 'Vitamin' especially compels with its vocoded interjections demanding we take our vitamins; and our personal fave 'AF Zone' provides a gasping closing counterpart, with its twanging Westworld guitars and hurried intakes of breath.
The Rickie Clark Company - "Time To Throw Down" (6:30)
The Troids - "Boogie Troids" (5:49)
The Packman - "I'm The Packman" (6:40)
Pretty Tony - "Fix It In The Mix" (5:58)
Jazaq - "All Systems Go" (5:27)
Rich Cason - "Killer Groove" (4:06)
The Jonzun Crew - "We Are The Jonzun Crew" (6:24)
Ozone Layer - "Planetary Deterioration" (4:53)
Bill Williams & Bileo - "Robot People" (3:30)
Extra T's - "ET Boogie" (5:27)
Planet Detroit - "Invasion From The Planet Detroit" (4:14)
Professor X - "Professor X (Saga)" (4:23)
Mo-Jo - "Jump Stomp & Twist" (6:06)
Review: Roll out the linoleum for breakdancin' in the streets to Soul Jazz's expertly curated Electro Throwdown: Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89. The compilation documents a distinct period of prolific creativity and sonic futurism, delivering thirteen body-rockin' classics, obscurities, and deep cuts from the '80s. Leading the charge is Professor X's 'Professor X (Saga)', outlining his self-referential bodypopping beat manifesto in sound, while certain other emblematic come procured by originators like The Rickie Clark Company, Jonzun Crew, Mo-Jo, The Troids and Jazaq. Harking to a time when the only prerequisite for rocking a crowd was a TR-808 and a sense of groove, we're more than happy to be beamed back.
Review: Marie Davidson's sixth studio album finds her collaborating with Belgium bossmen Soulwax - previously responsible for the massive rework of her 'Work It' track - and Pierre Guerineau. It follows her fiery single 'Y.A.A.M. (Your Asses Are Mine)' and the intense club track 'Contrarian' and marks a return to the dance floor but reimagined with the artist's signature sense of evolution. Blending the techno punch and spoken-word edge of Working Class Woman with the melodic pop structures of Renegade Breakdown, City of Clowns delivers a striking sonic fusion that is inspired by her pre-pandemic roots yet shaped by fresh antagonism, all while Davidson confronts a new foe: Big Tech.
Review: Welcome to the first drop for the brand new label Ancestros. On this evidence ,it is going to be another one to keep close tabs on if you like direct and raw electro. The first EP is a collaborative one between Nulek and Brian Topham that opens with the blistering bass and searching synth energy of 'Arabia Antigua' before 'Osiris' brings experimental broken beats and wispy, haunting leads to a heavyweight bassline. 'Desierto Intergalactico' brings some acid to the party and 'Vuelve De Los Muertos' closes down with some fantastical nimble drum programming and steppy synth sequences that will make your body pop.
Review: Organic Analogue makes it to double figures with a sublime new split EP from HVL and Gacha Bakradze. The A-side is opened up with 'Infinitesimal', a stripped back and icy bit of minimal dub techno, then 'AgneffC01' gets more rhythmically physical with scattered beats and hits and 'Collective Genius' is tense, kinetic techno with a real sense of paranoia. 'Routes' is the first B-side joint with Gacha Bakradze bringing some direct but economical drum machine grooves under meticulous percussion and then 'Chain' layers smeared cosmic pads with twitchy details and 'Widow' ends with a heavy heart. No wonder, then, that a host of eminent DJs like Ben UFO are all over it.
Review: 'Love Buzz,' originally released in 1969 on Shocking Blue's At Home and famously covered by Nirvana, gets an acid disco rework, transforming it into a dancefloor essential 55 years later. On the flip side, Raga draws from Charanjit Singh's pioneering Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat (1982), which anticipated acid house. Che Wax infuses it with an early 80s New York-inspired electro beat, bringing this innovative fusion to vinyl for the very first time. A striking debut release that bridges past and future grooves.
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