Back catalogue: Minimal House/Tech House

Review: Third part of the compilation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Milanese record shop. This collection is entirely composed of previously unreleased music, exclusively produced for the occasion by many artists of great relevance in the worldwide music scene, who supported the store over the last ten years. The artists who produced the music for this compilation are Egyptian Lover, Ellen Allien, Thomas Brinkmann, Neil Landstrumm, JD Twitch, Matias Aguayo, San Proper, Tolouse Low Trax, Jay Glass Dubs, Dj Marcelle, Jorge Velez, Tamburi Neri, Fabrizio Mammarella, Heith, Itinerant Dubs, Timeslip89, Kreggo and Intersezioni Ensemble. The entire work is composed of 4 x 12", plus a bonus EP.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Drop Music marks a marvellous quarter of a century of releases with this new slab of vinyl featuring some gems from disco funksters Crazy P and the house mainstays Inland Knights. Crazy P go first with 'Disc Odyssey' which is perfectly indicative of their much beloved sound with its low slung kicks and funky bassline. Inland Knights then offer a trio of in demand & unreleased tracks. 'Overnight' is a bumming deep house joint, 'Walk On' has an icy late night vibe and balmy pads and 'Do It Again is a more playful closer, with some killer b-line action. All four, needless to say, are timeless gems, and the fact the last two are appearing on vinyl first the first time makes it an even more desirable cop.

Review: Drop Music marks a quarter of a century of reliable and ever-on-point sounds with a special series of EPs that embodies what it's always been about, offering up both classics and never-before-released tunes. This one kicks off with 'Make A Move' which is chunky low-slung tech. It unfolds at a relatively slow tempo but that gives the fat acid gurgles time to really hit. Inland Knights then serves up the next three cuts, starting with the bass bin bothering sounds of 'Push It', the more silky tech loops of 'Long Time' and the vocal-laced acid-tech swagger of 'Same Talk.' Here's to the next 25 years.

Review: Santiago-based Drumma label is back in full swing with its first release in a couple of years. Before the pandemic they had releases from scene heavy hitters such as Luciano, (iO) Mulen, Barac and Livio & Roby. For this one they've chosen Miami-based up-and-comer Idana who presents the immersive and multi-layered minimal techno experience of 'Cantan Los Pajaros Modulares' featuring an array of atonal blips and bleeps underpinned by clipped and hypnotic polyrhythms. Over on the flip, the mesmerising energy continues on the wonky breakbeat-driven roller 'Telepatic'.

Review: The iconic North London dance music duo Idjut Boys are famed for their nostalgia fueled offerings of dub, disco and house and join forces again for this 4 track single featuring 4 completely different takes on the track 'Speedball'. The 'Full Whip' version is an 80s powersynth with powerful kicks and synth perfection, an authentic use of a commodified sound used in the past couple of years. 'Severe Itching' takes the party downstairs into an acid techno rave, the liquid bass seeping through your ear canal into your skull - an utterly extraterrestrial experience. 'Strip Off Dub' is just that: a stripped back dub version of 'Full Whip'. Focusing on the heftier synths and bass, with the rushing wind effects that compromised 'Full Whip'. 'Whizbang Mix' invites you back into the bassment for another slice of acid house pie, the meeting point between 'Full Whip' and 'Severe Itching' that feels like trying to listen to the former after the laters aforementioned liquid has blocked your eardrums. This one's for the messy afterparty.

Review: Mule Electronic announces the release of 'Bring Out The Imps'; four tracks taken from the stunning cd by
the Imps - a collaboration between Minilogue and two Australian jazz musicians. Including a remix by Koss.

Review: A compelling journey through minimal and tech house, blending futuristic elements with rich, danceable grooves. Side-1 opens with 'Survival', a track driven by a deep bassline and a sci-fi atmosphere that's both hypnotic and forward-thinking. The title track, 'Redemption', follows with techy, space-infused techno energy, creating an expansive soundscape. Side-2 brings versatility to the forefront. 'Connected (Kevin Tribute mix)' is an undeniable dancefloor weapon, packed with uptempo beats and a bold fusion of house and techno influences. It's a vibrant, big-room-ready highlight. The EP closes with 'A Loophole In Time', a downtempo treasure that transitions into jazzy, lounge-inspired ambiance, offering a smooth, melodic finale perfect for late-night introspection. 'Redemption' EP demonstrates Infinity Plus One's mastery of mood and groove, providing a versatile collection that moves seamlessly from high-energy dancefloor moments to introspective, melodic reflections.

Review: The classy work of Etui continues here with Insect O bringing a unique dub techno perspective to this latest marbled vinyl 12". 'Sandstones' is a classic of the genre - the fathom-deep bottom end, the rippling chords that gently make their way across the face of the tune before disappearing to an infinite horizon and the oversized hi-hats adding more scale. 'Volca Dub' is more textured and slower, with melodic motifs sinking in deep next to icy hi hats and 'Everlasting' ups the ante with some sleek, dynamic minimal techno that is again dubbed out to perfection.

Review: Back in 2022, James Burnham aka Burnski started a White sub-series of his much-hyped Instinct label and the first one sold out as quick as a flash. Now he is finally back with a follow-up that will likely do the same. This limited one-sided 12" slab of sonic filth features just one tune, but what a tune it is. '02' is a house cut with elements of garage percussion, old-school dirty bass, and even some trance-infused chords that chime with what's going on in the dance world right now. Some return horns at the breakdown really send it into overdrive and it's not hard seeing this one blow the roof off many a club this summer.

Review: Leibniz's return was always going to be interesting given previous work and so it is. Each of the five news cuts exemplifies the power of simplicity with grimy, hypnotic mantras that showcase Leibniz's mastery of the genre. Stripping away unnecessary details, he focuses on what truly matters to cook up a minimalist sound that hits hard. These sounds really emphasise the notion that less is more, with each one full of refined technique and ability to cut through the noise. It's a masterclass in minimal techno that proves what to ignore is just as important as what to keep.

Review: German house abstractionist Isolee makes a welcome return, surfacing on Pampa with his first new material since dropping his album Well Spent Youth on Koze's label back in 2011. Creative batteries recharged, Isolee is in familiar form on the three track Allowance 12"; the title track adopts his trademark bare bone approach with soothing lines of melodic intoxicants gently pulsing with intent over the soft edged house groove. This hypnotic opener hogs the A Side, leaving the chiming minimalist rhythmics of "You Could Do Your Memories" to duel for your attentions with the far too playful "Wobble".

Review: Kompakt Extra presents "Speicher 50" from Oxia and Intus. With "Not Sure" Olivier 'Oxia' Raymond delivers the pivotal 50th hymn. A Speicher Jubilee. On the flip an old friend from Bavaria serenades the 50 Jubilee, under a very fitting project name Intus. There is kicking vodka-techno beats, ingeniously out of tune, and a howling guitar lurching us into the seventh sky of spiritual bliss. Nice.

Review: Gjidoda Music returns with its long awaited third release. It's another various artists affair featuring some right heavy hitters and newcomers alike on the minimal scene. Opening up the first side is US veteran Bruno Pronsato with the typically arcane microhouse cut 'When You Ran Away From Home', followed by some late night mood music by Iljir on 'Ziiik Zaaak'. Over on the flip, Nikdo takes you into a cavernous and glacial realm on 'Confusion' and finally label chiefs (presumably!) Gjidoda & Gjidoda Jr go deep on the swing-fuelled groove action of 'Wish To Be A Movie Star'.