DAVE The Drummer & Phil Kershaw - "Bassline Sunset" (6:55)
Review: Hydraulix Records continues to push the boundaries of ravey techno with Va03, a four-track EP that transports listeners back to the early '90s warehouse scene with its infectious energy and relentless beats. Side 1 kicks off with Acerbic's 'Deep In Your Mind,' a heavy sci-fi pounder that channels the essence of early '90s techno rave vibes. With nods to the big Belgium sounds and a prominent Hoover sound, this track is an instant banger that commands attention on the dancefloor. Following suit, Minor Dott's 'What You Callin Acid' delivers a menacing and sinister atmosphere, characterized by its mechanical and demonic undertones. It's a track that exudes raw power and intensity, perfect for those craving an adrenaline-fueled sonic experience. On Side 2, Andreas Kraemer & Shadym team up to bring us 'Reflect,' a percussive and loopy journey through hardcore rave sounds. The track pulsates with energy, immersing listeners in a hypnotic groove that's impossible to resist. Finishing things are Dave The Drummer & Phil Kershaw's 'Bassline Sunset,' a big room rave techno anthem that hits all the right notes. With its infectious bassline and euphoric atmosphere, this track is destined to ignite dancefloors worldwide. Each track on this EP offers a unique sonic experience, making it a must-have for fans of the early 90s rave scene.
Review: Acid Sessions Vol. 3 is another white-knuckle journey into the world of acid with five top talents in the field all pushing their own limits. Acidulant opens with "Serpentacid' featuring hypnotic 303 grooves and relentless energy, then Sarufaromeo & Papaverhof deliver 'Acid Nihonshu' which blends atmospheric depth with chaotic acid vibes. G303 takes you beyond with 'Live Long and Prosper,' an interstellar anthem filled with cosmic acid and resonant grooves. Paul Renard closes with 'SO36' which is all about the fat rhythms and powerful dancefloor drive. Long live acid is what we say.
Review: The sixth release in the 303 Pattern series marks the first time artists' identities are revealed. What doesn't change is the fact this is a powerful 12" of hard-hitting, hypnotic and atmospheric acid techno with the legendary Roland TR-303 at its core. Alien Rain makes his debut on the label with 'Holosexual's' raw drums and distorted acid lines, Akkaelle's 'Acid Mood' delivers funky, bouncy techno energy with atmospheric depth and Sour returns with another hypnotic, high-intensity bomb. Closing in style is Dima Gastroller who drops a banger of an acid techno track that should come with a health warning for anyone with a weak heart.
Review: OHM is quickly becoming a quality imprint you can count on for techno and dub techno. The ninth addition in the series, it calls for an excellent blend of composers to balance this EP out. Veteran Jamie Anderson collabs with the brilliant Owain K on opener. The 'Aqua Dub' builds a euphoria for late night smiles. Smooth is an understatement on this linear gem. One artist on here that's been making strong appearances on many dub techno labels is the ever-talented Francisco Aguado. 'Balance' is a great tribal transition track for any DJ who can it creatively to build the means to an end. On the second side, Star Dub offers the very addictive and techy 'Forst'. Ending on a high note, the brisk and flighty 'Ever Growing' by Volpe completes the ninth edition in a rapturous mood. If you like deep techno, the OHM series is a must to collect.
Review: We shall never apologise for our love for the work of Steve O'Sullivan. His contributions to the world of dub techno are second to none. They are also mad consistent both in style and quality which means they never age. Here he steps up to Lempuyang with his Blue Channel alias alongside Jonas Schachner aka Another Channel for more silky smooth fusions of authentic dub culture and Maurizo-style techno deepness. Watery synths, hissing hi-hats with long trails and dub musings all colour these dynamic grooves. They're cavernous and immersive and frankly irresistible and the sort of tracks that need to be played loud in a dark space. In that context, you'll never want them to end.
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: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.
The Future Sound Of London - "Stolen Documents" (Jazz dub) (5:17)
Smart Systems - "Zip Code" (Stress Ball mix) (5:15)
The Future Sound Of London - "Innate" (W O W mix) (4:42)
Indo Tribe - "I've Become What You Were" (Insider mix) (4:21)
Review: The influential 90s IDM and techno act Future Sound of London continues to delve into their early career with the reissue of The Pulse EP Vol 2, originally released in 1991. This EP exemplifies the early techno sound, blending rave elements with the more intelligent and linear side of electronic dance music. Side-1 kicks off with 'Stolen Documents' (Jazz dub) by The Future Sound of London, a track that perfectly melds jazzy undertones with dub influences, creating a sophisticated and immersive experience. Following this is Smart Systems' 'Zip Code' (Stress Ball mix), a piece that balances high-energy beats with a stress-relieving ambiance. Side-2 begins with 'Innate' (W O W mix) by The Future Sound of London, a track that delves into deeper, more atmospheric realms, showcasing the group's innovative approach to soundscaping. Indo Tribe's 'I've Become What You Were' (Insider mix) closes the EP, with a pulsating techno rhythm that encapsulates the essence of the early '90s rave scene. Before their signature chill out sound was made, FSOL his some of their highest notes here with these early EPs.
Review: Released just days after their Reflections tour, I Jordan and Sherelle link with club institution Fabric and their new label Fabric Originals. Both artists currently working on inspiring stratospheric levels, their energy is captured here across the two unique tracks. I Jordan rinse us up and down the highways and byways of the UK with their high impact 'M1 / M3' while Sherelle goes full-on techno with 'Getoutofmymind'. Intoxicating stuff!
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: The legendary 'Solaris' is a standout tune from Kareem's 1997 release CICLOP on Berlin-based label Zhark. Originally, CICLOP combined diverse styles including industrial hip-hop, cinematic ambience and dub techno and created a unique, gritty soundscape as a result. Solaris stood out for its raw, brutally minimalist approach and now these new remixes from cult favs Orphx, Rrose, SHXCXCHCXSH and Kareem breathe new life into them with lots of lo-fi synth designs, muggy atmospheres, dense, foggy drones and plenty of rolling and dubbed out rhythms.
Review: Chris Liberator's experimental techno label Maximum/Minimum forms part of the Stay Up Forever Collective umbrella, which has been going for a heck of a long time (since 1995-ish), charting untouched terrains of teratological UK hardcore techno. An offshoot imprint dedicated to the "creative corruptions" of the Stay Up Forever crew, Liberator and co. would originally release these ones without catalogue numbers, that is until the market beseeched them to behave more conventionally. Now, well past their 65th V/A release, comes their latest, a decapitatory pummeller fronted by Sonico's 'Did You Say Acid?' and Zyco Seon's 'Citric Frequencies'.
Review: Serious seriality from the OHM Series, an imprint and sole patent owner of the rare, aurally administered chemical known as Omega X. The alphabetic Greek letter ohm determines impedance / resistance in an electrical circuit, and so too do each of the dub techno tracks released on the OHM Series amount to tergiversating transductions, their chillout chord-knocks and hardened beats never quite letting us settle. Though titles like 'Innocence' and 'Downtime' persist here, the tracks perhaps inadvertently prove that flow is impossible without resistance: Separation's track is especially unorthodox in its strange reordering of phaser, pan and saturation effects on the pad-stab, which produces an unusual swirling effect.
Review: Worldwide Heavy Industries Vol.1 is the latest wax drop from Flux Musical Art and Brutal Forms and it makes for an immersive trip deep into industrial soundscapes and futuristic themes. Dominik Muller's intricate 'Too Many Posers' soon sucks you in followed by Ryuji Takeuchi's dynamic 'In Your Mind' with its unusual rhythmic innovation. On the B-side, 6SISS and Hypnoskull's intense 'Losss' gets super raw with an industrial edge, while Low Order's 'Taste My Venom' explores darker experimental territory. Skumring's atmospheric 'Corpse-Ridden' closes the album with a mood as dark as you would expect given the title.
Review: AcidLab is back with a fourth dose of medicine and this one comes on translucent red vinyl with various different artists behind the beats. Musikaddikt's 'Acid War' is a straight-up techno banger with oversized hi-hats. Tassid & Eski offer up the best named tack of the year with 'Ok You Cunts' which is raved-up hard techno, Acidrats & Skandal get even more wild and unhinged with their barrage of wind-up melodies and hard-edge and flat-footed beats on 'Massive Murder' and last of all comes Crime with 'Knife Blast which is a big distorted wall of white knuckle rave-techno, not for the faint-hearted.
Review: San Francisco, Bay Area and Seattle-based label From 0-1 shows us that those regions are about more than hip hop, Dirtybird-house and grunge with this new various artists collection. Operator kicks off with the dubby techno rhythms of 'Enceladus Outpost' which has freaky synths squirming about in its midst. Sone's 'Accretion' is just as heavy and stripped back, with synths peeling off the bulky drums and A Thousand Details's 'Treyarch Sentient' bring some Detroit-style synth orchestrations. It's all out intergalactic industrial warfare on U SRD's 'Not Everything You See Is Real' to shut down with a bang.
Review: Iceland's Thule offshoot label 66 Degrees was a vital label back in the day. After a 20-year hiatus, it came back strong in August and now follows up quickly with a second superb EP. This one is a carefully curated various artists collection that pulls together some local house anthems new and old. Ozy's 'Sequential Dub' is a super smooth deep house number with lush chord work. Sanasol brings heavier, more raw house drums and grinding bass that will get floors in a sweat. Oz Artists mixes up a raw, mechanical groove with balmy, dreamy pads up top to make for something utterly compelling on 'Atomox; while last of all Terry Cummingz pays homage to dusty Windy City house on his perfectly lo-fi 'Cherry Bon Bon. Classy business for sure.
Review: Teased right at the start of the year, keen ears have been awaiting this collaboration between Imprints boss-man Riccardo and Slow Life soldier Saverio Celestri since the summer. Now, fresh from quarantine, the stunning 'Area' is all yours. Bubbling electro breaks with added steel drum charm and harmonies from heaven, it's an outer planetary first smash from Planeters. Flip for two solo pieces from Saverio; the dark alley arpeggio and moody jacks of 'Entrance' and the widescreen electro / radioactive bounce of 'Sintesi'. Bumping.
Review: Roseen, Dold, Hurdslenk and Slight Function are in full-on battle mode here as they offer up a collection of four high-class techno weapons aimed purely at the dancefloor. Roseen goes first with he pulsating synths and glitchy drums and claps of the mind-melting 'Model 2813' and Dold backs that up with the panel-beaten loops and urgent sense of funk that underlines 'Cave.' Hurdslenk's 'Span' brigs more in your face energy with its pounding claps and Slight Function shuts down with 'Misery' which takes you into the farthest recesses of deep space.
Review: Modwerks hear producer Saag deliver a second spicy round of floorshakers, all four of which are tangentially inspired by Brazilian music. Don't get confused, though, as the rhythms on this one remain starkly rooted in techno through and through. 'Puxa' and 'Void Searching' lead the charge by way of two unchanging techno stasises; unrepentant walls of fidgeting sound, which reach a head at the hard-claps and blurting chords heard at the second track's end. 'Orie' and 'Reverie' flesh out the textures moreover, with the latter track especially going especially filter-happy on the fidget lead.
Review: A captivating exploration of futuristic and otherworldly techno. Side-1 begins with 'Peuceus', a spacey techno journey filled with alien effects and an immersive atmosphere that feels like navigating a cosmic expanse. Following this, 'Dryalus' takes on a tribal techno approach, layering intricate rhythms with a forward-thinking, futuristic edge. On Side-2, 'Perimedes' delivers a heavier, driving beat, propelling listeners into a sci-fi romp that balances intensity with precision. The finale, 'Antimache', delves deeper into experimental territory, weaving alien-like textures and unconventional rhythms into a truly unique listening experience. This release masterfully combines spacey sound design, tribal influences and experimental beats, creating a soundscape that feels both adventurous and meticulously crafted.
Review: Fresh off his amazing remixes of classic Juan Atkins material, Santiago Salazar is quickly becoming one of thee names in techno on the west coast of America. His latest 12" 'Dynamic Allocation EP', has found its way to have a home on the top-notch Detroit label, Limited Network. The unique title track perfectly blurs the lines between techno and electro brilliantly while 'Cache Memory' succeeds in a classy retro way. For the second side, 'Accumulator' kicks things up a notch with some hi-tech electro business for the dancefloor. Things close out in great fashion on 'Data Hierarchy' which is one of our favorites on this release. Looking for a different take on Detroit styled techno? You found it here in spades.
Review: Diosis Decibel roll out another techno D&B fusion affair with the bossman Sam C once again at the controls. 'Under The Radar' sets the scene. A pummelling 165BPM 4x4 / breakbeat swagger, it punches holes in every wall of your house before it even comes out of the sleeve. These vibes persist across the 12" as Sam goes deep on the hypnotic 'Electric Flow' and euphoric on 'Eternal' while Italian-in-Romania Madmatik lays down some psy gold on 'Lacrima'. Exceptional.
Review: Pi Electronics bring four classy artists together on this new 12". It marks the start of the Limitation series and opens with the deft, moody broken beat techno and unsettling synth ambience of Sam KDC's 'Dominion.' Interviews then ups the intensity with the frosty and rusty loops of 'Crawler' which lurches back and forth with real menace, and Zevla's 'Yours Is Mine' then keeps the pressure on with more tight drum loops, lashing of synth static, corrugated low ends and general dystopian vibes. Slave To Society's 'Biosphere' is the brutalist broken techno banger to close down with.
Review: 1432 R US could as well be called Tech R US in a nod to the great toy shop as it is known as one of the key labels in the sub-genre. Sami is the artist behind this latest slab having previously appeared on the likes of Random Mind State and World Building. He gets mad busy on the opener, with wires synths, bleeping machines, smeared dub chords and jostling drums all layered up to competing rhythmic effect. 'Way Up' has a darker vibe with heavier drums and more edgy synths. 'Twin' is a percussive jumble that is loose but will lock you in with its freaky vocals and 'Deep Blue' is a stripped-back and more serene deep tech trip that encourages daydreaming.
Review: Irish DJ and promoter Saoirse is back with a follow up to her critically acclaimed and hugely welcomed debut solo release on new imprint trUst Recordings, with this three track EP entitled Two Bruised Egos. The EP starts off with the bouncy and energetic groove of 'Gentle Romance', before the tough rolling tech house of 'Can't We Just Have Fun' which keeps the energy levels high in the main room. Finally, the London-based producer heads to the afterhour on the playful minimal funk of 'Chubby'.
Review: Sawf doesn't strike us as the type of producer who suffers fools gladly. Or indeed at all. The Greek music maker has a reputation for uncompromising and unforgiving electronic beats at the harsher end of the spectrum, one foot in industrial and another in techno, but with enough respect for both genres to make sure he's never made anything that feels as though it's destined for a TikTok video of 5,000 people pretending to find groove in sledgehammers. Kafas is exemplary of this, four tracks that sound as though the machines are rising up but in a way that's infinitely danceable, even if you don't normally gravitate towards dark, single strobe-lit rooms. From 'Bordo''s stepping, broken, minimalist workout, through to the stomp, clang, march and whips of 'Tsirita', this is heavy, heavy stuff but also very good indeed.
Review: The self-contained Sammler label welcomes founder Scheermann back for more stripped-down and atmospheric techno sounds. His MO is to establish minimal sound scars that hypnotise with their rolling drums and immerse you in a world of ethereal pads and watery effects. It's emotional tackle that also makes the right physical impact and sounds nicely futuristic while nodding to the history of this particular sub-genre. 'Magu' is our pick for the way it pairs introspection with forward motion so stylishly.
Review: Mainrecords returns with the 'Radiation Dance' EP which is the newest outing from co-label owner Matthias Schildger. It opens with the sleek electronic lines and Kraftwerkian hypnosis of 'CH Dance' on icy rhythms and lush synth chords. 'Radiation' is a more rugged techno sound but still artful in its pads and widescreen melodic scope. There is a retro 80s feel to 'Divine Divide' while 'Rzwodzwo's Brain' birds some more buffed metal textures, tripped-out FX and jittery rhythms. Last of all is 'Datapoppers' which is a great blend of analogue kits and drums, retro-future synths and curious cosmic moods.
Review: The Echoes Of The Void EP by Sciahri and Hertz Collision on the Clergy label delivers a potent collection of hard-hitting techno tracks. Side-1 starts with 'Orbital Resonance,' which channels the energy of early 2000s techno, reminiscent of the likes of Bryan Zentz, Danilo Vigorito and Hardcell, with its tribal and forceful vibe. 'Luna Echo' follows with relentless loops that maintain an aggressive edge. Flipping to Side-2, 'Glowing' taps into the deep, underground essence of techno, with a sound that feels as if it's emerging from the depths of a dark, subterranean world. The title track, 'Echoes Of The Void,' continues the journey with a powerful groove, while the Kontain remix amps up the intensity, offering a more driving and dynamic version. This EP is great for those who crave intense, finely crafted techno that resonates with both energy and complexity.
Review: American talent SCRIPT makes a bold entrance onto the esteemed Afterlife imprint with 'On The Low', a track that's already been making waves in the electronic music scene. It marks a significant milestone, as SCRIPT becomes the first American artist to grace the label's catalogue with a stand-alone single. 'On The Low' is a captivating blend of pulsating rhythms, mesmerising synth layers and a catchy vocal hook that's been echoing through clubs and festivals alike. Its journey from a humble Splice sample to a genre-defying anthem is a testament to SCRIPT's production prowess and his ability to craft music that resonates with both discerning DJs and enthusiastic crowds.
Review: The third drop on Tonske's Cogo label welcomes another grip of high-functioning techno freaks to the table. The mighty Jeroen Search leads the charge with the loopy, Hood-flavoured pressure of 'Observer' before Border One throws down a primal mind-warper which is built for creative blending and psychological submersion. ORBE heads up the flip with a deadly, simmering workout built from densely interwoven threads of drums and synth, all the better to open a wormhole up with. Tonske's own sonar bleep stylings offer the deepest foil to the intensity of the other tracks, favouring minimalism as a vessel for pure, eyes-closed techno escapism.
Review: After launching last year via an arguably overlooked EP from Obsidian, Parallel Connection has made us wait a little while for the London label's second release. It comes courtesy of Sela, a 25-year-old French producer who apparently honed his soon to be trademark sound while living in the UK. There's much to enjoy across the four track missive, from the alien electronics, loose-limbed broken electro beats and chiming lead lines of '2020 Connection' and sub-heavy, acid-flecked stomp of 'Animal Kingdom', to the pitched-down electronica eccentricity of 'Really Get Fucked' and the psychedelic late-night tech-house hedonism of 'Mr Rabbit', which boasts bleeping melodies reminiscent of both mod-90s ambient techno and Yorkshire bleep and bass.
Review: Rawax first released John Selway's Real EP back in 2020. It has aged well and is still an in-demand 12" following the sell-out of its first run. As such the German label reissues it now just as it was the first time around. The title cut is a tribal and chunky house number with thumping drums offset but tender and barely-there whispers. 'Sliders' is a twitchy technoid stomper with a sleazy vibe and the urgent, hurried grooves continue through 'Wraecca', this time overlaid with swirling solar winds and busy synth modulations. Proper tackle.
Review: Based in the Amsterdam area and banging out his take on techno since around 2016 on some fine labels, Bob Semp is back on previous home Planet Rhythm. His sleek style is classy and sophisticated as shown on 'Dilemma', a pulsing linear roller with plenty of depth and drive. The drums on 'Moisty Mire' get a little more robust and muscular but are still looped to hypnotic effect and 'Fable' brings a drunken synth line to the fore for some nice off-balance funk. A trio of smart, evocative tunes come on the B-side to make this a brilliantly useful and coherent EP.
Review: The Planet Rhythm White series is all about serious dance floor business. It now welcomes back Senh for four cuts of well designed and stripped back but effective techno. Opener 'In Version' is a dubby one that leans into the wind as well crafted synth smears bring scale and mood. 'One Night In Athens' pairs things back even more to an icy dub, with perfectly frictionless drums, airy pads and echoing claps that are brilliantly wet. 'Rainbow Dub' is more spangled and high tempo in its onward journey though no less hypnotic and 'The Healer' closes on a classic Maurizio style vibe.
Review: Senh knows a thing or two about laying down advanced techno sound designs and he did just that with his November 2022 album Shape The Future on the one and only Planet Rhythm. Now it's picked apart for a new EP featuring four of its most fearsome cuts. There is expert minimal tech funk to kick off with on 'Shaba Funk' then moody dub on 'Odyssey' stripped back deep techno serenity on 'Vision.' Last of all is 'All Right', a thumping and emotionally intense house sound that will have you dripping.
Review: Sweden-based Bosnian producer Sev Dah continues to shape out an impressive strain of techno through his self-steered Proletarijat label, creating high-impact, uptempo workouts which keep a necessary funk and personality in the overall sound. 'Azici 89' is certainly a slammer, but it's also riding on a seductive swing and there's space for choice atmospheric pads to temper the rasp of the bumping drums. 'Makac' revolves around an insistent synth-organ lick in a nod to Robert Hood's classic brand of loopy business, while 'Singing Like' jacks up the drums and threads through some processed snatches of vocals credited to Leoni and Naomi.
Review: Is there a more reliable and always on form pair in techno than SHDW & Obscure Shape? The German duo's latest outing is another classy techno offering aimed squarely at the dance floor, each with its own subtly anthemic vibes and perfect for a wide range of settings, moods and moments. 'Eraser' is in your face and full of angst and edginess with clipped vocal shouts and incendiary hi-hats. 'Dancer In The Dark' is full of more blistering synth leads, smeared dub chords and closely stacked kick drums and 'Disturbing Behaviour' has a more lithe and acrobatic feel with lashings of acid. Two more B-side tunes take things to boiling point.
Review: German loop specialist Shed is a perfect match for the expertly designed breakbeats of Munich's finest, Ilian Tape, so we're delighted to see this one happen. His 'Applications' EP is bulky and brilliant from the off: 'EMCZ' is all skittish hits and dusty drums barrelling along with speed and energy. 'TLSQ' is doused in dub chord work and has a warming glow as the weight basslines roll on and the drums hit hard. Last but not least is 'UFO2' which is more menacing, with darker atmospheres and prying synth lines paired with physical and forceful kick patterns.
Review: Planet Rhythm's brand of techno is utterly timeless and always futuristic. The latest trip around the stars is a various artists EP that varies in mood and tempo. Shekon's 'Hypno' (Phara remix) kicks off with big, boisterous drum loops full of bounce and swirled with coarse synths. Gotshell takes a more deep approach with gurgling basslines making for a subterranean sound on 'Sindrome De Volar.' KaioBarssalos's 'Detroit' then taps into a classic 313 techno style with shimmering pads and earth-shattering drums. Netty Hugo's 'Ecxtrem' is a pulsating cosmic closer.
Review: Raw and its many different sub and sister labels had always worn its love for Chicago house and Detroit techno proudly on its sleeve. This series is specifically dedicated to that and now finds Signal to Noise Ratio serving up the Detroit Is Burning EP. 'Collision' (A Rage In Brooklyn mix) opens up with glitchy electronics and scuzzy basslines over raw house beats. 'Rave Signal (A Rage In Eindhoven mix)' is all caustic synths and shiny metallic drums thudding away over a dark bassline and the title cut then evokes the sounds of aliens trapped in a machine and keen to get out. Closer 'Hypnomatic' is a more heady and dubby cut with pulsing synth tones and a busy bassline bringing the funk.
Review: Don't be confused; Silicon Minds aren't channelling hate into their music, even though a title like 'IHY' would almost certainly suggest as much to netizens well-clued in on their acronyms. Rather, here 'IHY' stands for 'Interstellar Hypnotic Yama-Biko', and given our coincidental encyclopaedic knowledge of Japanese folklore (a Yamabiko is an elusive mountain or canyon deity), we now know everything we need to know about this new EP from one of the many spiritual alias-essences of the house music collective Vibraphone. With a legit original version as well as a stellar remix from Derrick May, which fleshes out that legitness twofold, prepare to join the Yamabeko on a melodic-analogous house journey; through music, its Cheshire smile evinces deep concern for the sublime forests, mountainscapes and other natural formations we've neglected.
Review: The inimitable Skee Mask on the peerless Ilian label is one of dance music's best pairings if you ask us. Here the techno and breakbeat astro is in scintillating form across four blistering new cuts. 'A14 Vs CB' opens up at a high speed, with flashes of synth and distorted bass twisting and turning under high speed breaks. 'Stoat' is a panel beater that will boggle the brain with its edgy and ravey loops and then 'Type beat 6' is another melange of busted loops, pinging kicks and frosted synth work from a dystopian future. 'Wiz' closes in high impact fashion.
Review: Convolution (Levon Vincent Versions) is a remix 12' of the Skudge classic that blends techno and house with a dubby touch. Levon Vincent, a New York City native and master of underwater funk, delivers two versions that showcase his signature style and pay homage to the original. The Scream Version perfectly fuses the original's greyscale aesthetic with Vincent's distinct Novel Sound, while the CS-101 Version preserves the atmospheric mood of this timeless track, with the added touch of a euphoric melody. Essential tackle for fans of both of these respected underground artists.
Review: While techno has become increasingly difficult to define in recent decades - the term is applied to such a wide range of records that it's become almost meaningless - long-serving German duo Skudge have always delivered music rooted in classic techno sounds - think the shimmering, intergalactic electronics of Detroit and hypnotic, locked-in grooves. 'Tryptic', their latest sensational single, continues in this vein - think deliciously bittersweet chords, wiggly TB-303 acid lines and snappy TR-909 drums. It's majestic, melancholic and mind-altering in equal measure. It comes backed by two tasty remixes: a more hectic, dark, intense and percussive rub by Temudo, and a gorgeously positive, sun-kissed re-make - all colourful chords, soft-touch beats and mangled synth stabs - courtesy of Amadou.
Review: Woody McBride's Sounds label continues to dive back in the archives and revive some absolute gold standard techno for modern diggers. This collab effort between McBride (in his DJ ESP guise) and DJ Skull originally came out in 1995, and it still sounds fierce to this day. 'The Drive' is a stripped down tool with all the right chops to tweak out a locked-in raver, but 'G-Rated' is the real gem on the record. In a blistering hailstorm of 303 squelch you get a definitive example of acid techno at its finest. 'The Power' might well find relevance in the present day trance-techno scene thanks to its unsettling leads and relentless forwards thrust.
Review: SL Jung may not be particularly prolific - this two-tracker marks the Berlin-based producer's fifth vinyl outing since 2018 - but what he does put out tends to be strong and steady. For proof, check dub techno influenced A-side 'W1', where echoing melodic motifs and liquid synthesizer flourishes bubble along atop a sturdy dub-wise bassline and snappy drum machine beat. It's as hypnotic, locked-in and quietly attractive as you'd expect, with plenty of low-end weight to counter to prettier top-end elements. Title track 'Coherence' is another slab of tech-house/dub-techno fusion, though this time blessed with more off-kilter, effects-laden riffs, Villalobos noises aplenty and deep, warm bass.
Exhibit (1 - BOHM & The Unborn Child remix) (6:42)
Review: Slam's Exhibit series on Soma presents a compelling showcase of techno talent, focusing on the raw and hypnotic end of the genre spectrum. The inaugural release, featuring Slam themselves, delivers three parts of pulsating techno energy. 'Exhibit 1' kicks things off with deep, sub-heavy vibrations, setting a formidable tone. 'Exhibit 2' follows suit with high-energy intensity, while 'Exhibit 3' offers a more sci-fi-infused variation. The remix by BOHM & The Unborn Child adds an intriguing twist, elevating the soundscape with subtle enhancements. Overall, Exhibit is a perfect example to Slam's commitment to championing techno's fundamental frequencies, offering a diverse and electrifying listening experience for aficionados of the genre.
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