Berceuse Heroique Vinilo y CD

Review: While George Thompson AKA Black Merlin has released rather a lot of fine material in recent times, we still think that he saves his best for Berceuse Heroique - or at least his darkest and most clandestine aural explorations. For proof, check this inspired double-pack of creepy, pitch-black workouts, which we think contains some of his most potent work to date. There's the triple-time, paranoid deep techno throb of "Void", the faintly threatening dystopian dancefloor shuffle of "Machine", and the clanking, industrial-fired hypnotism of "R24" and "Mechanic". While it tends towards the paranoid and unsettling, Thompson has included one sun-bright shard of light: the blissful, beat-free, intertwined synthesizer lines of closing cut "Mod".

Review: Hearty congratulations to the admirable Berceuse Heroique label, which here celebrates notching up 50 releases with a fine double-vinyl EP from label stalwart Don't DJ (AKA producer Florian Meyer). The first 12" boasts two versions of "Veles": the producer's original version - a slowly unfurling polyrhythmic techno delight rich in shuffling, South American influenced rhythms, poignant chords, fluttering pan pipe lines and foreboding aural textures - and a deep space techno Dub by Newworldaquarium. Over on record two, the broken techno rhythms, chiming melodies and fizzing electronics of "Reapercussion" [sic] are followed by the drowsy and humid ambient throb of foreboding closer "Two Of Pentacles".

Review: Berceuse Heroique has primarily dealt in EPs up until now, so it's surprising to see the label stretching itself to LP format. We were sure that this imprint was pretty adamant about keeping things in single-mode. Nevertheless, Don't DJ is always a refreshing listen, and he's now accustomed to releasing on album format given a recent string of them for various labels around the experimental techno circuits, like birdFriend and that excellent excursion on Emotional Rescue. There's a great blend of polyrhythms and deep tribalism throughout the first three tunes, a wave of euphoria that is displaced by the more broken patters of "Disparate 69" and "Polyamory". More leftfield antics follow suit, as the album descends into a spiral of intricate percussion patterns and minimalistic melodies. Another fine Don't DJ appearance. We're intrigued to see where this nomad will take his sounds to next...

Review: Mighty, mighty vibrations from the Berceuse Heroique camp who unleash Control / Information / Version, a monstrous double pack of paranoia-filled dubs from Young Echo associate Ossia. A man who is involved in most of everything that's good in Bristol, Ossia has kept his production output to a bare minimum with that immense BEB 12" last year complemented by some low-key sonic experiments as DJ Oa$i$. You feel Ossia won't be able to hide in the shadows of recognition once people here these tracks in the dance, this is some devastating dancefloor tackle that's been perfectly mastered. Wait until you hear the unsettling bassline on "Information." Immense stuff.

Review: It would be fair to say that Smackos - a popular brand of meat-flavoured chewy dog treats - is one of Danny 'Legowelt' Wolfers lesser-known aliases. It was first used in 2004 for The Age of Candy Candy, a suitably eccentric experimental electronica full-length that was only ever released on CD in limited quantities. Here that album finally appears on vinyl thanks to the efforts of Berceuse Heroique, and it's every bit as weird, wonderful and out-there as you'd expect, with Wolfers pursuing his passion for spacey, weightless electronics, far-out soundscapes, occasional skuzzy rhythms and dystopian synthesizer workouts. It's previously been something of a hidden gem in his vast discography, and should be an essential purchase.