Back catalogue: Techno (All)

Review: Some six years after debuting via a deliciously angular and energetic EP from Jaquarius and Mono-Enzyme 307, the Acid Avengers imprint notches up release number 20. Like most of the label's EPs, it's a multi-artist affair. Sometime Balkan Vinyl and Bass Assault artist Acidulant handles side A, bouncing between rushing, piano-sporting 1992 hardcore revivalism ('Super Rave'), sub-heavy deep electro haziness ('Save The Last Rave') and throbbing, arpeggio driven trance/breakbeat techno fusion ('Hauz Trax'). Voiron, who last graced the label back in 2016, takes over on the flip. The Paris-based producer first fuses glistening, spacey melodies, twisted acid lines, post-electro beats and dirty bass on 'Bon Kick Voiron', before opting for deep acid house on 'Digital Voiron Workstation' and atmospheric, Orbital-meets-'90s tech-house on 'Sugar Voiron'.

Review: Statica's debut release, 'M2-9: Wings of a Butterfly', showcases the label's dedication to serving up diverse techno sounds. This split EP, STATICA001, opens with two intense and dancefloor-ready bangers by the prolific Central Intelligence on the A-side, and both are packed with visceral drum energy and synth unpredictability. The B0side features Madrid-based Victor Reyes, who delivers two reflective but also emotionally charged 4/4 workouts that create a compelling contrast that embodies Statica's "Forces in Equilibrium" ethos. Inspired by the unique butterfly-shaped nebula Minkowski 2-9, this release is a fresh and impactful fusion of power and sensitivity.

Review: Jersey City-based Jorge Velez has long been one of the US underground's most revered figures to those in the know. Largely predating the current fascination with lo-fi analogue productions, something shown on the excellent MMT Tape Series compilation which delved into his early archives, his work as Professor Genuis on Italians Do It Better and Thisisnotanexit was followed by the conceptual Hassan LP on L.I.E.S. which provided a soundtrack to an imaginary film based on a shadowy Middle Eastern cult formed in the 11th century. Here Velez return to Ron Morelli's stable with Territories, a six-track LP that passes through "menacing drones to EBM influenced floor tracks to Sakamoto-esque melodic experiments," with a "distinct atmosphere suitable for home listening or adventurous club play." Even for those who are familiar with the odd structures Velez creates with his hardware, this is a wild trip worthy of much closer inspection.

Review: The ever-versatile Dutchman that is Versalife returns with more of his artfully crafted techno fusions, this time for the Spanish label Apnea. 'Colorvi' kicks off with a jumbled of glistening synth lines, tumbling arps and bristling drums that awaken every sense in your body. 'Omen Observer' has a darker underlying bassline but still gets lit up with sparkling keys that dart about the mix. 'Prophetic Traces' keeps the energy levels up with more fresh broken beat workouts and glowing, pixel-thin synths while 'Out Of Ether' shuts down with a fourth and final electro-techno fusion with an acid and squelchy bassline.

Review: Versalife is one of the many aliases of prolific Dutch producer Versalife. It is where he explores electro in meticulous detail and this new Technofeudalism 12" is as good as it gets. 'Cataclysm' kicks off with a deft and broken beat rhythm, celestial chords and eerie little melodic details that keep you on your toes. 'Intrusion' is darker and more direct with a menacing bassline. 'Syndicate War' ups the ante once more with more energetic rhythms and jagged synths flashing across the face of the tune while 'Axon Terminal' is a moody closer with bittersweet melancholic in the pads.

Review: Viikatory teams up with Source Material for a new 12" that builds on her recent work with Mechatronica, UTTU, and Trust. This time out she delves deeper into electro, techno, and beatless tracks and showcases a knack for laying down intense kicks and extreme bassline modulations. 'Leave' is a crisp and punchy opener with ghoulish synth energy, but the more wonky and roomy 'Deceptive Mind' with its low-slung and sleazy beats is a standout for us. A fine EP overall that is ready to rock the club.

Review: Wherein Dutchman Vincent lays down a heartfelt study of the soul entitled 'Pre Melancholy'. His findings are as follows... Before the melancholy one can expect a wave of emotions and pressures, all of them ingredients for a tumultuous storm that flies in a whole flurry of directions. Technoid drum & bass causing anxiety with every rolling fill ('Mono No Aware'), timeless breaks triggering moments of unsolicited joy ('Agent Of Distraction') and spacious leftfield that's so disarming and abyssal that it comes in two forms ('Yonghegong Lama Temple Exit F'). Embrace the melancholy.

Review: Memento Records presents this gem from French producer and DJ Voiron who is a rising talent in techno. The new EP showcases a vision for blending acid, rave, hardcore, ghetto and hard house influences. This one opens with the energetic title track with driving acid sounds, while the 90s-inspired 'Voiron Mania' takes you back to the old school, the breakbeat-heavy 'Donjon Et Voiron' is for the peak time and the dreamy, experimental 'D'Or Et De Voiro' offers a nice different sound. Fun fact, alongside Voiron's work as a producer, he is also a cartoon designer.

Review: Orlando Voorn's back catalogue is up there with many of his arguably more trendy American peers. This sixth outing from the "Classics" division of Nocturbulous Records backs that up by offering some such gems. 'Tronics' and 'Hydrotech' have been remastered and ew repressed for the first time here while 'Alien Interferences' and 'Need For Speed' have never before made it to wax. All four showcase the Dutchman'sstylish blend of supple techno drums and soulful machine sounds. 'Need For Speed' in particular is a fantastically warped stepper with myriad trippy sonics raining down the face of the broken groove.

Review: Parisian imprint Antinote has long been an eclectic outlet for left-of-centre dance music and carved out a musical lane truly of its own. It celebrates its 10 year anniversary with this well curated compilation featuring new music by the label's graphic designer Nico Motte on the low slung acid boogie of 'All The Money In The World', Domenique Dumount appears with the dubby underground pop of 'La Dolce Vita', local producer Low Jack pursuing his typically relentless sound on the off-kilter 'Feel' and sometime collaborator (and LIES Records chief) Ron Morelli getting those classic Detroit vibes of old in effect on 'Tribute' among many more.

Review: This double album on Profan marks the grand finale of Wolfgang Voigt's 'Best of' 1990s vinyl series which rightly celebrates a transformative decade in electronic music. This ninth instalment features a mix of iconic classics and first-time vinyl releases spanning from M:I:5 to Wassermann and culminating in a triumphant close to the era. As the music builds, it captures the energy and emotion of the decade before fading into the chiming bells of New Year's Eve. Part of the exclusive Earquake BOX, this release is both a tribute to and a culmination of the great Voigt's pioneering work during the nineties.

Review: This Earquake 1993 double album is a fitting soundtrack to celebrate Kompakt's March 1st 1993 birthday. It is packed with rare, long-out-of-print classics from that era and highlights include Love Inc.'s iconic 'Monoculture EP' and the acid opera 'Animal Republic' by Vinyl Countdown. Also featured are the unforgettable gabber hit 'Lovely Ugly Brutal World' by Mike Ink & Chain Of Brotherhood and the deep, pop-infused anthem 'Trump Tower' by Mike Ink. These tunes very much capture the spirit of legendary label Kompakt's early days by blending new, genre-busting sounds with timeless electronica.