Emerald Holland Vinilo y CD

Review: Remco Beekwilder's vision in techno is an emotive one, much like the expression depicted on the front cover of his latest 'Stronger Than Fiction' EP: maddened, mummified, intense. His latest for his usual Dutch hangout Emerald hears five crazed hard techno bits tank away into oblivion, the highlights being the phased-out 'Mutual Manoeuvre' and the grittily underwater 'Guardian'.

Review: Remco Beekwilder's The Dusk Hour EP is a perfect way for the Emerald label to mark its fifth anniversary and 17th release: it is uncompromising techno through and through. Hints of 90s hard techno colour the driving drums and textured percussion of 'The Dusk Hour' while 'Transmax' is a loopy affair with oversized hi hat ringlets and more thumping kicks. This linear, driving style defines the B-side, too, with detail coming from distant vocal wails on 'Avia' and Detroit minimalism on 'Early Birmingfunk' while 'Rwina' closes out with a bang.