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: Gargantuan-room techno trailblazers Drumcode return with 'The A Sides Vol 11 - Pt. 7'. If the title is any indicator enough - and no, it's not irony - this is a stonking closer to a mammoth seven-12" compilation series. The love-em-or-hate-em label always deliver a rave romp for titans, barging past polite types with frick-off bits from A.D.H.S., Julian Jewell, Marco Faraone and Gary Beck. Topping off a project originally conceived in 2012, this is a pulsing sensation suitable for both budding techno enthusiasts and chinstokers willing to let their hair loose for once.
Review: Adam Beyer and Green Velvet are legendary names in techno music for over 30 years now. Their powerhouse track 'Simulator' receives a set of fresh remixes, extending to some producers to show off their version of this lofty new classic. First up, Mha Iri, a pivotal figure for Drumcode, delivers a scorching remix. She retains the original's fierce bass stabs, using them as formidable motifs, while injecting an abundance of intensity through electrifying builds and drops. Next, Odd Mobb, an emerging talent from Australia recognized by Fred Everything and Skrillex, infuses his four-minute rework with high energy. His remix emphasises the low-end elements and introduces vibrant new bursts of color, creating a dynamic rendition that keeps listeners engaged. Finally, Chris Avantgarde, known for his inventive productions, crafts a remix that defies genre boundaries. Combining elements of breaks, bass, electronica and techno, his interpretation spreads across all of his personal influences. Pressed on neon green 'rippled' vinyl, this record looks as dangerous as it sounds.
Review: Coeur De Glace on DKO Records (DKO 34) delivers four fantastic electro tracks, each with unique influences and directions. Side-1 kicks off with Binary Digit's 'U Want Dis,' an exuberant, high-energy track that pays homage to old-school rave with its lively vocal samples. Fasme's 'Morning' follows, blending smooth electro with soft keys and a whimsical AFX melody for a perfect combination. Side-2 features GGGG's 'La Cueillette,' a feel-good, fun and melodic electro tune. The EP concludes with Mud Deep & Sans-Qui's 'Mesonyx,' offering IDM goodness reminiscent of Rephlex, Squarepusher, and AFX. Coeur De Glaceis a vibrant and diverse collection, sure to delight fans of electro and techno.
Review: The well regarded Umwelt introduced Raverbreakerz as a dynamic new series on his label Rave Or Die earlier in summer. This massive compilation shows what it is all about with four hard-hitting tracks from genre specialists Blame The Mono, Jadzia, Ghost In The Machine and Umwelt himself, Seamlessly blending techno, breakbeat and dark, intense sounds design to captivate and energise the floor in equal measure, each artists contributes to what is a versatile arsenal for DJs seeking powerful sounds with a distinct style. On this evidence, Raverbreakerz is going to be a crucial new series.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Philipp Boss - "Die Schone" (feat Gianluca) (6:52)
Gabriel Belabbas - "Dance With The Speaker" (6:57)
Muelsa - "The Future Is A Trap" (5:36)
Nico Lampariello - "Antes De Tiempo" (7:16)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The second release on 3 Mats features a cast of emergent artists dealing in the vibrant seam where electro synthesis and techno focus collide. If you rate labels like Partisan and EYA you'll be into this record, without a doubt. Frankfurt producer Philipp Boss opens up the record with 'Die Schone', a collaboration with Gianluca, while Gabriel Belabbas creates a rolling warm-up delight of electro breaks with an iconic sample on 'Dance With The Speaker'. Muelsa's 'The Future Is A Trap' is a raw, boxy machine workout and Nico Lampariello finishes the record off with an acid laced workout for the darker side of the dance.
Review: The Red Bul & Gyn label made a good impression with its first release and now the founders Thomas Bulwer and G Glynn step up with a second collaborative EP of fresh tech and minimal. 'Caffeine' is a shot of energy with its rising synth lines and dramatic sense of intergalactic space travel over a busy, acidic bassline. 'Like It Ruff' is an old school throwback with rap vocals and electro beats, then 'Acid Wash Conflict' is a thumping tech house sound with unsettling pads. 'Techno Talk' closes down with a mid-tempo electro sound and retro-future edge.
Review: There is plenty of experimental work at play int his new various artists' collection on Flash. Cloned Existence sets that tone with the brief synth exploration that is 'Wave 1' when Gael & Jolly take off with the much more punchy and thudding techno of 'Paradigm Shock' which is weird up with all sorts of synth designs, effects and layers of reverb. Under Black Helmet ups the ante further with one of those bulky techno grooves that locks you in the moment and Stigmata then brings big room 90s vibes with layers of tangled synth melting the mind. Florian Meindl brings things to a close with gritty, scraping bass, reverb-heavy kicks and pure warehouse techno heaviness.
Gavsborg - "Did Not Make This For Jah_9" (feat Shanique Marie) (4:33)
Review: Techno arriving on 7" is not an all too common sight, but why not? This release from the fledgling Dispari out of Germany suggests it works well. Cloud Management and Gavsborg take one side each, starting with the former. Their 'Tempentary Dance' pairs thudding and broken kick drum patterns with dreamy and rising synth sequences and spoken words. It's brilliantly beguiling. The flip then finds Gavsborg offering 'Did Not Make This For Jah_9' (feat Shanique Marie) which is dark and moody, dubbed out and dystopian deep techno.
Chris Coco - "Yawa Ze Asfos" (instrumental) (4:02)
Jake Slazenger - "168B" (3:47)
Global Goon - "Untitled" (4:39)
Ruckus (4:47)
Jodey Kendrik - "Thanx" (5:56)
Gavin Masih - "Unknown Track 1" (6:55)
Monika Subrtova - "Alata" (7:08)
Review: Furthur Electronix's first two Furthur Journeys Into compilations tune plenty of heads and shift plenty of copies. The third one keeps the quality levels high with more explorations around the periphery of underground electronics. Chris Coco opens with a soothing synth sound before Jake Slazenger brings crystalline synths and abstract modulations to the mid-tempo '168B.' There is more pace and twisted acid energy to Global Goon's untitled contribution and then old school jungle comes to the fore on the super stylish and atmospheric Gavin Masih cut. Monika Subrtova's 'Alata' is a serene and widescreen ambient synthscape that brings things to a suitably poignant close.
Br Beta - "Man Of The World" (feat Luke Eargoggle) (3:01)
Guttan - "Bambakaos" (6:28)
Kenneth X - "Mixed Emotions" (4:02)
Kan3da - "GBG Electro CIty" (5:45)
Singularity Club - "Intercon" (2:28)
Review: Gothenburg Electro City 3 is a third episode in this superb new various artists series. Stilleben label head Luke Eargoggle says that three generations of Scandinavian electro sounds feature on the six track record. It comes from producers based only in Gothenburg which is the capital of electro in Sweden as well as being the capital of the Vastra Gotaland county. From the high energy and hard-hitting electro-funk of Dataintrang's opener to Guttan's more cinematic but no less caustic 'Bambakaos', all shades are explored here with compelling results.
DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama - "Salasa Geometric" (5:20)
Bartig Move - "Asistencia" (5:12)
Tensal - "Esbar" (6:54)
Aocram - "Dreams In NYC" (6:41)
Review: Mord has put together a bumper collection of 17 searing techno cuts as part of its Herdersmat compilation but is also seeing up four at a time on individual 12"s. There is no messing with Part 41 which opens with DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama's ear-splitting, brain frazzling 'Salasa Geometric'. Bartig Move opts for a much more minimal and roomy sound on the rolling 'Asistencia' then Tensal picks up the pace once more with the rusty loops and broken beats of 'Esbar'. Aocram's 'Dreams In NYC' is a swamp, depraved closer for late night mischief.
Review: Zodiak Commune Records kicks off a new series dedicated to cutting-edge electro with The Electro Guide 1 featuring four artist at the top of their game. Dust Devices opens proceedings with 'Strain & Reason' which is built on searing acid lines and kinetic drum programming, all with a turbulent cosmic bent. Norwell's 'Clang' los down a little so the manic acid has room to shine and Human Behind Pluto then comes through with the occult pairing of mysterious flirting keys and kicking electro drums on 'Talisman.' G303's 'Riverbank Telescopes' closes with a barrage of breakbeats and prickly 303 madness.
Geto Mark & DJ Deeon - "In This House" (Elyas 13130 rework) (4:37)
Elyas & DJ Sack - "Triumph" (Mark Broom remix) (4:37)
Player - "Player Three" (Elyas remix) (5:42)
Review: Seclusion debuts with its first vinyl release here and it decides to use the opportunity to showcase four remixes from three different techno titans. UK favourite Ben Sims goes first with his turbocharged take on Elyas/Anta's 'Real 13130 G's' and then Elyas offers the first two remixes. His version of Geto Mark and DJ Deeon's 'In This House' is seriously heavy, with rock solid kicks and muted acid spraying about them, then he remixes Player's 'Player Three' into a funked up and loopy house banger for the peak time. Mark Broom is the last to remix and goes for a fusion of smeared Detroit-style synth soul over hefty techno drums.
Review: Nation of Jak offshoot Dirty Blends was established by label chief Melvin Oliphant as a vehicle for "interpretations" and "homages" - in plain-speak hush-hush reworks, tribute tracks and those that sample liberally. The label's latest release is a compilation of sorts, featuring as it does cuts from a trio of artists. The Falcon steps up first with title track 'Sound The Alarm', a raw, jacking, bouncy and positive mind-melding blend of lo-fi synth stabs, sweat-soaked beats, fire alarm noises and restless drum machine fills. Over on side B, Grizzly Knuckles' 'Mad Bell' - a breathless, house tempo techno workout built around a nagging synth-bell loop - is followed by label regular The Jak's 'Aftermath', which sits somewhere between jacking lo-fi techno, UK funky and stab-happy Soca-house.
Review: Acid Machines Vol 1 by G303 is the latest release by the long time Dutch label Zodiak Commune and these four tracks, combined, add up to one heck of a wicked acid techno record. 'Acid Dropping' is a crushing piece of acid trance. 'Power Corrupts' is a breakneck speed techno killer - you've got to love the classic Belgium sounding doom to it, it takes us right back to 1992. ' Beelzebub Rising' is a nasty breakbeat heater that is sure to pound down some doors when played loudly. The Squarepusher like 'Walk On By' adds a nice comedown IDM touch to the close of this vinyl. This release includes a poster and is limited to 200 copies only.
Review: Two years ago, UK techno mainstay Gabriel made his bow on Rawax's Motor City Edition series with an EP of cuts drawn from his seemingly endless archive of unreleased gems. We're not sure whether the four tracks on this belated sequel are old and new, but they're certainly timeless-sounding and impressively deep. Check first 'Mordax', an impeccable mixture of Motor City star-gazing and analogue deep house blessed with a ridiculously good bassline, before admiring the sun-splashed warmth of 'The Multicoloured Mind', where jazzy piano motifs, sustained synth-strings and warming chords dance atop a loose-limbed house-not-house beat. Over on the B-side 'It's All Pam's (Marseille)' is another gorgeous chunk of ageless deep house bliss, while 'Into Week Two' sees Gabriel once again blur the boundaries between Detroit techno and futurist deep house tropes.
Review: Following a couple of impressive appearances on R.A.N.D. Muzik, Jay Gadian is back in action with this new drop for US label Space Dust. This is quintessential electro business dealing in icy, dystopian tones peppered with crafty sonic detailing. If 'Sensory' is something of a pensive opener, 'Green Dimension' soon shakes up the program with its hyphy leads and dirty, twisting bassline. 'East' is an airy affair which has a little more 80s flavour referencing back to the likes of Jonzun Crew, and '20 Or More' plays around with the rhythm for a more fractured framework around the darting shards of synths and sampling.
Review: Stingray's Micron Audio carries the clout of its CEO, meaning you know you're going to get only the most uncompromising updates on the electro template. Galaxian is exactly the kind of artist you want to tap up for such duties, and he's sounding on fierce form letting the metallic tones ping around 'Overshoot' with glee. Loka has a captivating, jacking sound which somehow also manages to be supremely deep cover despite its fierce beat. CTRLS, who have enjoyed previous outings on Micron, bring a dense and knotty kind of machine funk to 'Transfer', and 6siss brings a dense maelstrom of synthetic energy to bear on 'React'.
Review: Gilmer Galibard has made waves on labels like Lobster Theramin via the sub-label Mork and now steps out with his own new self titled label. 'Novaturient' (Rainforest Spiritual dub) is a deep and hypnotic dub roller with squidgy bass and rubbery drums. It's perfect for those zoned out 5am slots lost in the moment. On the flip is something just as heady, with more alien sound effects panning across the groove, ambient pads drifting up top and the slippery bass forming puddles down below. A truly meditative EP for sure.
Review: It has been a while now since Gilmer Galibard minted his own self-titled label - back in June 2020 was the debut release in fact. Thankfully the man who has also dropped heat on the likes of Lobster Theramin via the sub-label Mork is now back with a trio of quite different but equally effective cuts. 'Anam Cara' is all sludgy sounds, muffled rhythms and distant suggestive darkness, while 'Henko' (Tapasya mix) is a bright, trippy and progressive techno tunnel that leads you into the next dimension. 'Henko' (Ethereal Reshape) then takes a more dark, hypnotic approach and is full of unsettling synth mystery.
Review: Rhythm Section's latest favourite, (Oliver) Gallegos, evidences his mastery over the art of what we like to call the "speech tune" - a format almost as old as time. Think Rum & Black's 'Slaves' or Underground Resistance's 'Transition'; the formula is as such; a slow-built dance beat, at least over 110BPM by our estimation, over which a rousing historical speech plays out throughout the track. Though this form lends well to a 90s rave aesthetic, Gallegos finds himself at a post-comedown period of history, indeed in which "rave" is often bittersweetly thought to be anachronistic; and in which house music often reigns supremer. So, then, does he bring a record-breaking, body-moving homily vocal sample to an incredibly arranged set of house arpeggiations and medley-style sample cut-ups, working in a sort of auditory bricolage but nonetheless bringing them together under a seriously reflective memorial dance-dome.
Review: Daniel Stefanik and Andre Galluzzi team up for four new, lost-highwayed night-drives in techno form. Debuting for Gregor Tresher's Frankfurt label Break New Soil, the likes of 'Passages' and 'Don't Panic' lay down both fertile techno grounds and noxious synthetic fogs, adding up to a compellingly bleak picture of the many motorways that encircle the German city. 'Out Of The Past' and its remix from Pan-Pot are its highlights; these are two uplifting tech-trance versions that satisfy the moods of both ill-advised partying and ring-road hurtling.
Review: Jorge Gamarra's 'Exercise In Futility' EP is a striking exploration of sound from start to finish, showing his unique flair in the minimal and tech house genres. On Side-1, 'Rigor Samsa' sets the tone with an epic soundscape that merges futuristic and dramatic sci-fi elements. Its heavy, brooding atmosphere is both catchy and dynamic, making it a standout opener that invites listeners on an adventurous journey. Side-2 introduces 'Angular', a track infused with trance elements that create a romp into the future of techno sounds. The seamless blending of rhythms and melodies elevates the listening experience, highlighting Gamarra's ability to craft engaging soundscapes. Concluding the EP, 'Petrichor' is our favourite of the three. It delivers a stunning fusion of 80s darkwave aesthetics with techno influences, with lots of emotional atmospheric and depth with rich textures, evoking a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. All in all, a masterful record.
Review: Few labels in techno are as consistent as Planet Rhythm. This latest 12" comes on flame red vinyl and Federico Gandin is the man stoking the fires. There is no messing about here as 'The Storm' soon takes off on classically inclined loopy minimal techno grooves with urgent calls and synth pulses. 'Les Intrepides' then pairs a bendy, elastic baseline with scuttling sound FX and tunnelling beats. 'The Hideout' is more glitchy with broken loops and underlapping drums carrying you away while 'The Arrival' actually marks the end in serene, deeply cosmic techno style.
Review: The Orbe label keeps it super deep with this new one from Elias Garcia. This is techno for the late-night hours when you're happy to sink way down below the surface and get lost in the magic of hypnotic rhythm. 'Elton' is a perfect opener that soon locks you in and then '8S5H' brings unsettling synth tones that speak of upcoming danger. 'Targeting' is another heady one with minimal elements but maximum cerebral impact and 'Atonement' closes with an eerie kick.
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