Back catalogue: Techno (All)

Review: The Spanish Hypnotic Collective label attempts to capture its take on the Detroit Legacy with what looks like a new series of various artists' EP. There is plenty of Motor City soul in the gorgeous synths of Cignol's muted acid and deep house opener 'Distance' which is a soothing and reverential groove, but then its pure party from Barce, Alex Martin offers up 313 style tech and three further tunes on the flip explore blistering electro with high-speed funk and cosmic intent. Mission accomplished and we're already looking forward to the next one.

Review: Upstairs Asylum is kicking off the year in some style with a couple of killer new EPs. This one is the first in what is presumably a new series to showcase the talents of the Motor City. Mike Clark & Marcus Harris get things underway with 'Hey' which has a subtly uplifting feel thanks to the bright, sustained chords and cuddly drums. Santonio Echols's 'Piano In The Light' (DJ Emanuell Echols mix) is laidback, playful deep house with magical chord work and Brian Kage brings his classy depths to the smooth grooves of 'This Saturday Night.' Ryan Sadorus brings things to a close with the smoky 'Down Below.'

Review: Natural Expressions takes another dive into the rich pools of dub-informed techno and tech house with this must-check four-track split release. Vapnik works spatial magic over Marco Hessler's 'Spacewaves' with some monumental chord treatments that keep suspense high and the mood psychedelic, before Gradient slips into something more comfortable on the smooth cruising immersion heater 'Flight Above The Fog'. Merv's 'Serpent' opens up the B-side in a quintessential workout of submerged, bass-loaded dub techno, and Collogne completes the picture with a swirling masterpiece fit for a Deepchord album.

Review: Francesco Mami and Julien Chaptal deliver a compelling deep house experience with their 'Reconnect' release, blending smooth minimalism and melodic tech house grooves. The title track, 'Reconnect', is an addictive mix of fluid rhythms and rich melodies, striking the perfect balance between sleek production and dancefloor appeal. Reboot's 'Outahere Rework' of the same track deepens the vibe, adding a fun, groovy energy that's primed for late-night sets. Side-2 shifts gears with 'This Is My Ticket', a standout deep tech house cut that pairs intricate production with a memorable, catchy drive. The track's hypnotic layers create a textured soundscape, ideal for dancefloor workouts. Johnny D's remix of 'This Is My Ticket' ups the tempo, injecting high-energy beats and an infectious bounce that transforms it into a peak-time anthem. Each version bringing a unique energy while remaining cohesive. It's a well-rounded EP for dance music fans.

Review: Berlin-based Equilibrisme keeps up the fine early work here with a third vinyl release. It continues its tradition of delivering a masterful fusion of deep minimal techno, lush chords and dubby grooves that slowly but surely bring a dance floor under their control. A collaboration between Berlin-based Uruguayan producer Martin Teysera 'Oniric' opens up with seven sublime minutes of leggy, reverb heavy dub swing, Canadian dub techno legend Altitude, aka Matt Thibideau offers the more bright and textural 'Liquid' and Man-L goes it alone with the delicate melodic delights of 'Animal Crossing.'

Review: Thomas P. Heckmann is back with a new outing under his Metric System moniker. His return to Kontakt brings fresh house depths with opener 'Velo-City' kicking off in urgent fashion with quickened drums and spoiling synths locking you in. 'Traveller' is a dubbed out cut with a fleshy, liquid low end filled with reverb and echoing hits that disappear off to the horizon. Last of all is 'Soul 440' (Vril remix) which ups the pace and brings sleek dub house energy and majestic cosmic synth details. All three of these are nice and cultured cuts.

Review: Molen's 'Future Is Gone' delivers four standout techno tracks, bringing a futuristic energy to the dancefloor. Side-1 kicks off with the title song, driven by a pulsating bassline and a powerful groove, enhanced by spacey sound effects that add an extra dimension. Next up is 'Medano', a journey into a sci-fi world with an exciting acid line and a rhythm that builds in intensity, making it a true trip. On Side-2, 'Suggestion' keeps the momentum going with a killer beat that makes it another solid addition to the release. Finally, 'Basic Instinct' brings an 80s-inspired groove, blending new beat and electro influences for something fresh and unique. This EP from Special Bounce packs plenty of variety, perfect for fans of innovative techno who are looking to get lost in a futuristic vibe.

Review: Italian house lover Fabio Monesi returns to his Wilson label - named and styled after that unforgettable volleyball in Castaway - with a collab EP next to Tom Carruthers. It's rooted in traditional tropes from the 90s and US scenes starting with the kicking, retro flavours of 'Mi Amor' before 'The Bass Theory' brings on, yep, some more heavy bass-driven grooves. Last of all is the more synth-laden 'Killer Fruit' which is a triumph in drum programming that will enliven any crowd.