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: Bristol's cultured Innate label is back with a first outing of the year and it returns to their various artists format with a mix of talents all making their mark. UK veteran Tom Churchill opens up with 'Unknown Unknowns (Edit)', which brings plenty of fuzzy and lo-fi aesthetic to jacked up drums and spaced-out pads. Rai Scott then shows her class with 'Suasion' that sinks down deep into immersive drums and is subtly lit up with simmering strings. Innate co-founders Owain K and Gilbert then hook-up under their brand new alias Curved Space and showcase their love of electro with 'Reverie,' a dreamy cut that glows with nice celestial melodies and will have dance floors in a zoned-out state. Last of all it's Lisbon mainstay Jorge Caiado who debuts with the chord-laced 'Floating Without Lifting,' a sophisticated and serene jazz-techno cut that takes you to the stars.
Review: Berlin's Cocktail d'Amore and Tokyo's Ene Records have come together once again to present the music of Solidair. The duo of Cocktail alumni Luigi Di Venere and Jules Etienne present three tracks aimed to induce a dance floor hypnosis. Orgonite (Riding the Waves) does just that, a slow build awash in the ebb and flow of acid tinges, just enough to wet your whistle on a Saturday night. The original mix keeps the skeletal support but throws in a life preserver of 8 bit gaming synthesis. Frisky arps call and respond to each other before making way for sinewy pads to lift off. Tiger's Eye sets itself onto cruising speed incorporating elements of late 90's acid techno with the sleek and smooth clubbing aesthetics of modern day Berlin.
Review: The Stay Up Forever label hits release number 13 but there isn't a bit of bad luck in sight - instead, this is a potent EP of eyes-wide techno from Sam DFL who links up with a quartet of different collaborators and aims, it seems, simply to blow your brains. These jams are laden with hard techno tropes and distorted, fuzzy bass as well as video game signifiers, trance-techno pads and bright, visceral, vibrant melodies. Hammer Mode & Sam DFL's 'Bad Time 4 Acid' is a particular standout here for its high speed and compelling acid grooves.
Review: The cultured ESHU label has pulled other some more tasteful talents for this four track 'Conrexture' EP. It opens up with Julien Fuentes's 'Jah Justice' (Klaridub Ambient mix) which is a nice atmospheric opener with some conscious dub mutterings and sci-fi pads. Jocelyn & Yasin Engwer then kick on with some watery, sub-aquatic minimal dub tech bliss in the form of 'Sticks & Stones', Voal gets even more dark and dirty with some grubby dub basslines on 'Eight Ball' and Ivano Tetelepta/Christine Benz layer up watery droplets, melodic whistles, static electricity and rubbery rhythms to mind-melting perfection on 'Supreme.'
Jungian Archetype - "Pursuit Of The Blue Car (RIP)" (5:28)
I-F - "Shadow Of The Clown" (7:28)
I-F - "Casablanca Sunrise" (7:39)
Jungian Archetype - "Who Are You?! (Theme From Paranoid Stranger)" (7:48)
Review: Released back in 1996, Test Pilot Vol 1 has remained a highlight of the Viewlexx label ever since and has been one of those records that command regular calls for a repress. Kudos to I-F then for finally heeding these shouts and presenting a remastered edition for the masses. For the uninitiated, this 12" features classic Hague cuts from I-F and Jungian Archetype, another alias of the Viewlexx boss, with all four perfect for introducing a sense of bedlam to the dancehall. "Who Are You...?! (Theme From Paranoid Stranger)" in particular will bend many an unprepared mind. If you don't own an original edition, grip this remastered version and hold tight for a brand new second volume of Test Pilot featuring Gesloten Cirkel and Roberto Auser!
Lord Pusswhip - "Sveigth" (Bielefeld Murder Boys remix) (6:16)
Unwucht - "Back Da Fuck Up" (4:40)
Crouds - "Splinters" (4:50)
LAU - "Hangover" (5:01)
Review: Berlin party crew Aller Ende Anfang presents their debut release, featuring five diverse and energetic tracks. The first side begins with the bass-heavy computer funk of 'Hyperdrive' by Icelandic producer Jadzia, followed by Bielefeld Murder Boys' peak time techno remix of Lord Pusswhip's 'Sveigth' and Unwucht's 'Back Da Fuck Up' - and catchy mixture of donk and ghetto house tropes. Over on the flip, Crouds goes for a bass-heavy and off-kilter UK sound on 'Splinters' and one more sci-fi beat programme courtesy of Hungary's LAU om 'Hangover'.
Review: The Jaffa Kid is a pseudonym from long-serving braindancer Daniel Pringle, who also released a lovely 12" as Qeta on La Beaute du Negatif last year. His recent output on Bandcamp has been a lot to catch up with, but he's also snuck out releases on Deeptrax, Obsolete Future, Utter and Pulse State. Now he comes to Cold Blow with another six divine drops from unheralded dimensions, spanning a spectrum of energy levels from the feisty thrust of 'Itled' to the sad-eyed somnambulant electronica closer, 'Dolt'. Grabbing hold of melody with two hands and creating his own variation on the braindance theme, The Jaffa Kid once again proves himself to be a leading light, appearing on a label which is buy on sight.
Review: Glaswegian producer Jai Dee made a big impact with his first release on the 1O Pills Mate label and now he lands on that home of all that is excellent, Lobster Theremin. The assured producer mashes up plenty of old school rave, jungle, techno and breakbeat sounds into tracks that are as emotionally powerful as they are physically moving. Opening track 'Coming Up Again' has shiny electronics and bustling breaks with a yearning vocal cry, 'Tears In Your Voice' is a hardcore piano banger and 'We Can Have It All' is pure hands in the air tackle. 'Hold Love By The Hand' is the big, unashamedly emotional and E'd up closer.
Review: Berlin musician JakoJako debuts for Mute with four new modular synth slow-burners, following up her last two releases for Leisure System. 'Auris' is a clean and colourful EP aimed more at the listener hoping to lock in than let loose; this is music for flow states, not uppers, downers or benders. The title track is synaptic and serene enough, while the standout track 'Nexus' weaves a more complex array of spitting sounds - "very difficult to mix," according to the artist.
Review: Sex Tapes From Mars come back a year after their last EP with a third one on the small but well-formed label and this one is handed over to Jata. Opener Stutter '(I)' is pure funky techno and mind altering cosmic synth work for the peak time. It's a bright and vivid sound world that's as good for the head as the heel. 'Midstate' then gets more dirty with warp synth riffs and smeared chords over industrial tech beats. It's restless and kinetic and another dancefloor bomb. Last of all comes the wonky closer Stutter '(I)' which is full of trippy effects and freaky little synth motifs over squelching basslines.
Review: Kalahari Oyster Cult sub label Mineral Cuts returns this week with a new release in conjunction with Oklahoma City's Fixed Rhythm by debutante Jdotbalance. The Chicago-based via Texas producer serves up four tracks here full of a futuristic mix of sexy, raucous club and fast techno propulsions.From the full throttle peak time energy of 'Let's' on the A side, to the mind bending B -ide cut 'Willin' which is as off-kilter as you like and 'Whippit'. Tip!
Review: Kvalia Records continues to solidify its reputation as one of Scandinavia's leading techno labels with the release of another cracking 12", its tenth overall. Swedish label founder Linny Hex brings in techno pioneer Jeroen Search for this one and his Conductor is a four-tracker that blends Search's genre-defining sound with deep, hypnotic drums. As well as the original minimal and captivating techno soundscapes, up-and-coming Swedish producer F.LJ contributes a skilfully executed remix of 'Conductor' that is stripped back and hunched over as it races along with real urgency. This collaboration highlights Kvalia's commitment to pushing techno onwards while supporting both established and emerging artists.
Review: Dutch label Lazy Reflex Complex is making its grand entrance into the music scene with an exciting debut release. The label's founder, 543ff, has teamed up with the esteemed Jeroen Search for a captivating split EP that promises to take listeners on an otherworldly journey. This EP showcases a diverse range of sounds, from self-described high-tech mantras ('Fruitfly Psychosis'/'Nerve Stimulation') to deep ambient journeys ('Favor') and disquieting soundscapes ('Tension').
Review: Four percussive techno workouts drive this EP, each pushing rhythms and atmosphere alike into forward-thinking territory. Side-1 starts with 'The Cult', a relentless, bass-heavy force built for peak-time energy. The low-end hits hard, while futuristic elements keep it fresh. 'Charm' follows with a rhythmically adventurous approach, weaving breaks and deep bass into the techno frameworkiperfect for DJs looking to push boundaries. On the flip, 'Jungle Curse' layers pounding drums, looping percussion and crisp production into a hypnotic groove. Its weighty bass and driving structure make it an essential tool for deep, rolling sets. Closing out the record, 'Wild Nights' goes full tribal, locking into a hedonistic pulse that feels primal yet otherworldly. If you're looking for different rhythms in techno while still keeping the energy high - plus a heavy dose of futurism - these are well worth checking out.
Review: Mord sublabel Kazerne specialise in hardcore black labels, each record blazoned with but one silhouetted insignia: that of an arched-backed, sinister-looking hyena. With no backing info on this one as ever, the label top up a profligately churner-outer assembly line of 12"s, with over 15 records issued since 2023. Here Alexander Johannson and Mattias Fridell make their debut, all-aboarding the overdrive bus, squishing their pummel kicks to the point of satu-rave. 'Vegitationen' is a suitable title indeed, as its computational synth ascends evoke the frightful infallibility of mass data capture, leaving us all in vegetative states.
Review: Swedish producers Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell get back to the drafting board - Blueprint Records - for a third release, following their 2023 EP 'Geometriska Strukturer' and the 'Marvatten' EP the year before. Active collaborators since the early 2000s, the pair have steadily contributed their precision-honed techno to labels such as Symbolism, Audio Assault, ARMS, XXX Records and H. Productions, alongside their own imprint, Lomsk, since 2022. Their latest 'Bentik Zone' comprises three hot, mode-choked techno tesla coils, themed after the topical Benthic zone: the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake or stream, where deep-sea crustacean dwellers known as benthos lurk.
Review: Jordan GCZ brings a unique jazz-infused approach to techno on his latest release, which is a third for the good folks at Rawax. He has a complex sound but one that always remains buttery impactful in the club and pairs cerebral ideas with physical grooves, and all of it's crafted with an array of outboard gear and vintage synths. The opener blends melodic nostalgic charm with dusty house beats, while 'Timbit Acid' is an off-kilter acid workout and 'Beaver Tail' weaves together a tapestry of intricate synth patterns and glistening pads. Last but not least, 'All Dressed' offers a soul-infused take on mid-tempo techno that is deep, groovy and compelling.
Review: Jordan GCZ is having a hell of a year. He's already delivered two sublime albums (his debut solo set and one created in collaboration with Detroit legend Terrence Dixon) and here drops another must-check EP, his first for Rawax. 'Making Me Dizzy' sees the Amsterdam-based producer add gorgeously ambient lead lines, lilting TB-303 motifs and funky bass to a classic Motor City techno groove, with the accompanying 'Dub Mix providing a heavier, sweatier and more intoxicating alternative version. 'Tongue Twister' is jazzier and even more intergalactic, sitting somewhere between blissed-out Move D deep house and melodious techno. The dub that accompanies it is pleasingly deep, out there and effects-laden, escorting us even further into deep space. Tip!
Review: The party people behind the Sheik N Beik crew kick on with another fine techno exploration here courtesy of The Josh Craig. This is our first brush with this artist but a fine one it is too with classic techno melded with new school ideas to great effect. 'Quantum Infiltration' opens up with thumping kicks and busy synth lines burrowing deep into your brain then 'Ultra Rogue Mission' has a darker and harder vibe with moody pads and ice col hi-hats. There is a sublime deepness to the dubby 'Millenniaapi' and '2099' is like the soundtrack to a post-apocalyptic disaster movie. 'Me Liga' is a mutant techno percolator for the heads.
Review: Young Dutch talent JSPRV35 presents the second EP from Global Pulse in the form of the Kyoto EP, a standout exploration of pure and unfiltered techno. Channelling his constant flow of creative energy, JSPRV35 delivers a collection that brings techno back to its roots as he cooks up minimalistic soundscapes with a fast-paced rhythm. Each track on this crucial 12" pulses with raw and edgy drums that showcase JSPRV35's refined yet forward-looking style. This one captures the essence of contemporary techno while honouring its foundations in subtly, crafty ways.
Review: JSPRV35 delivers a powerhouse of tribal techno, helping to solidify Planet Rhythm's reputation further for percussive excellence. Side-1 opens with 'Pulse', a high-energy tribal track that masterfully blends addictive loops with relentless beats, perfect for igniting a dancefloor. The title track, 'Robotika,' shifts gears with its alien, sci-fi textures, crafting an otherworldly vibe. Side-2 ups the intensity with 'Madafaka', a wickedly hard techno banger that packs a punch with its raw power and unyielding drive. Closing out the EP, 'Practik' channels the loopy brilliance of icons like Ignition Technician, Glenn Wilson and Hardcell with hypnotic rhythms and expertly layered production. A thrilling journey through the darker, tribal side of techno, offering both technical precision and unrelenting energy.
Review: JSPRV35 returns for the second release on V35 with four herpetological freezers, titled after the mythical basilisk. Where the basilisk is said to have been able to petrify any onlooker, merely by sight of its steely scales, so too might JSPRV35 elicit frantic dance action when we chance upon their new EP's rough, mesozoic, nigh locked grooves. 'Varya' and 'Molecular' bring this vibe as much, serving what sounds like the techno equivalent of two draconic, winged, gritty, parthenogenic, self-replicating reptiles; the title track and 'Psycho' spawn two further monstrosities, closing on a bleepy alarmist note.
Review: JSPRV35 and Line-o hook up for this thrilling split EP on the new but impressive label For You out of the Netherlands. JSPRV35 is first out of the blocks with 'Testing' which is some high-octane and classically inclined techno with punchy low ends and scintillating percussion. 'Funktional' is just that but is not devoid of character with its mechanical loops and bleeping synths. Line O's 'Thelle' is bristling, linear and loopy techno for 5 am wig-outs and 'Layer One' shuts down with dubby undercurrents and menacing pads that are constantly on the creep.
Review: The Rose Island blooms into life for the first time with a strong first release that features four different artists taking one tune each on this 12". Judy's 'Aqua' is a mind melting loop techno cut that rocks back and forth on its heels and will have you frothing at the mouth. Symbiosis's 'Terra' is dry, economical loop techno made from few elements but each one makes its mark as this loose jumble of rhythm and sound grows in intensity. Alexandre Laeddis's 'Ignis' ups the ante with the sort of oversized drums and front loaded hi-hats that wash over you like a tsunami and last of all R 010 brings some high speed industrial tech house with throwback synth leads and funk in the drums.
Review: Short Attention Records makes a welcome return here with a new drop of wax that fits the label head into its roots in deep techno sound worlds. This one takes the form of a various artists' EP crafted with an intake feel for cosy floors and who better to kick off in that vibe than the revered Lawrence whose 'Hawser' is a groovy and melodious track. Next, New Jersey don Joey Anderson sets a slow and deep tone with 'Human Kind' which has moody vocals and Japanese artist Takuya Matsumoto follows with 'Three Flowers', a more potent and driving cut with a fine acid bassline. Rounding off the EP is 'Desired Spring' by R/K, a loop-driven deep house gem designed for both listening and dancing.
Review: Isaac Prieto is Mexico-born but Detroit based and that is presumably where he hooked up with the Motor City's assured house auteur Javonntte. The pair take a trip through scuffed-up deep house brilliance here with the chattery claps and blurting bass of spaced-out opener 'One Take' before 'Brothers In Rhythm' is a more dance-y cut with pinging kicks and detuned synths stumbling about the mix to make for a brilliant sense of mechanical funk. 'High Energy' brings edgy chord stabs over busted beats and bass and 'Lost & Found' is more kinetic analogue madness with hurried techno hi-hats, spangled pads and punchy kicks all bringing an utterly fresh type of sound.
Review: It's silly but true that anything which has the words Detroit on it will immediately get more attention than something that doesn't. 99% of the time though the music lives up to that reputation as is the case here with a fourth offering from Detroit Sound Odyssey. It's a four-tracker that sees Isaac Prieto hook up with different collaborators on each tune. Moppy and 'Double Bass' open up with a well-swung house kick and deep bass combo while the machines get a little more unhinged on 'What Do You Want' with G&J. Javonntte brings his signature depth to 'Imperfections' and Ali Orlandi adds a heavyweight downbeat headiness to 'I Like That'.
Review: The Rotterdam label Mort's long-running Herdersmat series was first released in digital compilation form; only now has this round table turned its swords towards a sequential vinyl series, not the first of which you hear here. This 12" marks parts 16 in the series, clocking contributions from producers Rumenige, TAKA, Jokasti, Nek, and NX1. The heads-down producoes so named have delivered a creative, blazing irradiation of broken techno heat here, charting a rumbly and grounded, yet no less interoceptively arresting haul; our fave 'Eka' throws our sense of balance of course with quick, hard autopans and roughly ingrained, kick trods; then the silver medalist 'MRD1' bucks the proceedings off to unploughed courses, frightening the listener with garbled, found-footage EVP voices between horror-techno kicks.
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