Review: Spanish techno duo make their second appearance on Ellum Audio after a two year hiatus in releasing music, and it shows a return to their melodic, big room approach that feels right at home on Maceo Plex's label. "Teach The Wind" packs a mean line in grinding electro synths over a solid tech house beat with plenty of anthemic nous to get hands raised aloft in sunny climes. Meanwhile the label boss opts to remix "Learning To Fly" from the pair, making a pop-laced tech-house roller loaded with melodrama and autotune soul that should get plenty of radio play alongside the warm up slots in more mainstream dances.
Review:
Rutilance Recordings move fast with their releases, but not so fast that they're able to bypass our critical floodgates. Thankfully for them, we like this new one. Label residents Oden, Fatzo and Thurman here deliver two garage house cuts sure to fire up the deep ends of dancefloors; assuming they're not swimming pools anymore! We're drowning in heat, as 'Marvel House' causes us to marvel in awe at the house chops on display. 'Call The Doctor', meanwhile, leans far further into the jackin' end of things, remaining bloopy, vocal sciencey, and a delicious. Spicy tech house from this lot.
Review: It feels like most every week Burnski starts a new label that is immediately as good as all his others, and here is this week's case in point: Reliance is a new outlet from the super producer and it kicks off with ODF who you may know from a brilliant remix of Special Request. 'Yeah (Uh!)' opens with bubbly basslines and neon melodies and is a timeless garage bumper. '2 Turn' then brings the funk with tight bass and lovely silky drums, 'Rattlesnake' is more dark and menacing thanks to the trippy samples and low end and 'Back To 98' is a stateful shot of garage nostalgia direct to the veins.
Little Boxes (feat Guavatron - 40 Thieves version) (10:27)
Review: Cole Odin debuted on Leng in 2020 when he served up the super 'Numbers Game' tune as part of the label's 10th anniversary compilation. He now makes a welcome return, this time with the go-slow king that is Eddie C. Between them they cook up a perfectly low-slung tune in 'Little Boxes.' It has effects-laden guitars and kaleidoscopic electronics that lock you into a chugging yet cosmic groove and take you on a real trip to the stars. On the flip is an epic 10 minute-plus version from 40 Thieves that really ups the starry eyed vibes and expansive chords.
Review: After this pair of Leeds residents made waves last November with their first EP for Pilot, Bobby O'Donnell and Reeshy return to lay down four new tracks that definitely stray towards the electro end of the breaks/electro spectrum. There's a sense of continuity, as the first EP's tracks - labelled 1-4, are followed by tracks 5-8, as well as being executed with a proper human touch that not all such machinefunk can boast. '6' is full of spiralling Drexciyan mystery, before being pared down to an LFO-style bass prod. '8' also echoes the former legends of Leeds with its dreamy pads and acid backdrop - something in the local water supply. Definitely funky enough to keep the breaks DJs onside, but with a thorough knowledge of love of 40 years of electronic music heritage at its disposal too, this is one release you should make sure you not miss.
Odopt - "11000 Versions Of A Simple Track" (Berlin mix) (5:37)
Remotif - "HAJKSD15" (6:39)
N Tropic - "One Night Stand" (Full Circle & Kris Baha remix) (7:45)
53X - "Simulaatio" (5:38)
Review: Avidya is back with a third EP to build on the head-turning success of the first two and it is another trip to the outer edges of the dancefloor. Odopt from Born Free and 777 Recordings kicks off with a snappy cut that is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective with its gurgling and acidic bass. Remotif is a fast-rising talent who impresses with the heavy techno sludge of 'HAJKSD15' and Full Circle aka Alexis Le Tan and Joakim link with Kris Baha to offer a remix that is all twitchy electrons, busted drum loops and fizzing pads before 53X's 'Simulaatio' is another brilliantly loose jumbled of wiry electronics, sci-fi effects and techno chug for a fantastic closing beatdown.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Picha (7:22)
Picha (instrumental) (6:42)
Picha (Jamie Paton remix) (6:30)
Picha (Jamie Paton dub) (6:38)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Odopt is back on Especial and this time is in collaborative mode with Sebastian Hoyos aka Sano, who is a regular on the likes of Matias Aguayo's Comeme and Munich's Public Possession. The pair cook up a fine globally-minded club trip that comes with another label return, this time from remixer Jamie Paton. The original 'Picha' first started as a sketch in 2016 then became a demo in 2019 now finally arrives on wax. It's a raw percussive workout with razor-sharp snares and plenty of cowbells. Next to an instrumental comes the Paton remix and it is a trademark deep and dubwise piece of work with widescreen dynamics.
Review: Odopt is back on Especial and this time is in collaborative mode with Sebastian Hoyos aka Sano, who is a regular on the likes of Matias Aguayo's Comeme and Munich's Public Possession. The pair cook up a fine globally-minded club trip that comes with another label return, this time from remixer Jamie Paton. The original 'Picha' first started as a sketch in 2016 then became a demo in 2019 now finally arrives on wax. It's a raw percussive workout with razor-sharp snares and plenty of cowbells. Next to an instrumental comes the Paton remix and it is a trademark deep and dubwise piece of work with widescreen dynamics.
Review: Considering he debuted this year, Hamburg's Off / Grid is already a strong presence in the upper reaches of the techno tempo range, having dropped two knockout 12"s on Planet Rhythm that presented his driving, funked up sound to the world. Now he appears on Life In Patterns with another assured drop to close the year out, kicking off with the pressure cooker 'Step Back' before diverting into the warm, melodious swathes of 'Layercake' with its dreamy pads and harmonic 303 lines. 'Masterpiece' switches back to high-impact peak time gear and then 'Real Deal' takes those thunderous techno rhythms into deeper climes thanks to some brooding synth work lingering in the middle distance.
Review: Planet Rhythm has been one of the premier hard techno labels for over 30 years now. Exploring some different avenues in the last decade, the label recently launched a series of heavy dub techno related records identified as DUBWARS. Volume two features four different artists this time with each submitting a new piece to the label focus. Fans of Basic Channel's 'Phylyps Trak' should quickly head to OFF/GRID - 'One Stab Ahead' for that main room filler. Gunjack's 'Memory Man' is another upbeat killer in its own right adding a bit of acid along with the melodic chord progression. For the second side, Antic Soul's 'Mandalore' stirs in a bit of house culture to the hard dub techno sound to great effect. Lastly, Lenny San bring's the party to their feet with 'Hedonist'. Heavy techno heads should really enjoy this packed 12"
Review: Studio Barhnus is one of the most playful and amusing labels out there. They are also one of th only labels we can think of who would release a whole album of acapella versions of previous album tracks. But that's what we have here from Off The Meds, whose late 2002 self titled debut sounds very different without the beats. His unique Zulu-Tsotsitaal-English flows all open with short and sweet musical passages and then get spright to it. They are great tools for jobbing DJs to work into their sets and add some wonderful weirdness.
Review: If you're looking for fresh sonic experiments which nonetheless hold fast to the dancefloor-worthiness of contemporary European techno, look no further than Rotterdam's Arts collective. Flaunting their selective prowess, the label here present a four-track release from producer Off/Grid, who impressively nails that coveted sonic tension many producers can only grasp after; a sound suspended between dreaminess and forcefulness, a mesmeric militant fist that first packs a punch, but then unclenches to sprinkle magical sand in our eyes. 'Strobe Light Memories' pins this down best; a behemoth of a beat jostles for the attention of our ears, all front-and-centre, only to give way to a cosmically faint breakdown, before returning once again.
Review: Off/Grid has impressed with his ability to cook up tracks that keep the tension going throughout. He's done it before on the likes of Rotterdam's Arts collective and more than once on Planet Rhythm. This one for another Dutch label brings plenty of texture to opener 'Down The Vaults' which has a fizzy lead prying between the sturdy drums. 'The Movement' is much more bouncy - one of those cuts that gets fists pumping and smiles on faces. 'Protect Ya Deck' is precision-tooled, acid-laced peak time gear for when the whole club is on the same vibe and the strobes are flashing, and 'Never Ready For This Shit' shuts down with some pent-up funk and brilliant syncopated drum work.
Review: It's a nearest and dearest thing; Polish craftsman Offish calls up his pals from around Europe for this epic collaborative free-for-all. Taken from the full digital album that comprises 13 bleeding edge slabs of timeless brutalism, this vinyl sampler highlights its extremes with these four powerful cuts. 'Eviscerate' (with Forgiven Soul) nods to the Quarantine sound with strong elements of Digital and Spirit (RIP) while 'Mushrooms' (with Greg Lvov) is an immense and hypnotic weave of percussive elements. Elsewhere the ominous dubbed out minimalism of 'Look For Patterns' (with NonRev) set us up for the disarming depths and cosmic charm of 'Cautionary Tale', making this this is an exceptional trip for DJs, dancefloors and listeners alike.
Review: Bobby Orlando is something of a hi-NRG master - his work with Divine is credited as a major influence on the Pet Shop Boys - who tapped up the then soon-to-be iconic duo Oh Romeo for their debut outing back in 1982. Their work on 'These Memories' made it a hit right from the off with big drums, shiny synths and arps and plenty of campuses. Late last year, Iventi d'Azzurro put together this remastered package featuring extended versions of four rare Oh Romeo tracks on the EP Living Out a Fantasy. These bangers really capture the duo's signature energy and timeless appeal and make this a record that suits both working DJs and lovers of big jams alike, all with the right amounts of nostalgia.
Review: Ohm & Kvadrant are back on their Kontakt label to kick off 2025 with another stunning dub outing. Pressed on classic black vinyl, with a limited gold edition also available, this EP features two exceptional tracks starting with the A-side, 'Peblinge.' It's a mesmerising melodic dub creation, rich with warmth and depth-perfect for those late-night sessions. On the B-side, a second jam delivers a refined electro-dub masterpiece, blending synths, hi-hats, and fathom-deep low-end frequencies. Both tracks showcase the duo's signature style with soothing results.
Review: Vuo returns with another entry into his ongoing Ruutana City Mood Series, with this one being on eco black wax but a green vinyl version is also available. Ohm & Kvadrant open with a smoky, textured roller driven by icy drums. Armin Bender follows with 'All Or Nothing' which offers a lighter, more optimistic vibe with airy pads. Tm Shuffle strips things back on 'Efficient Answers' to deliver a gritty, minimalist basement groove. Closing the EP, Gonzalo Villarreal presents 'Curanto', a raw, percussive cut bathed in rich echo and reverb for a captivating close.
Review: Finnish label Vuo kicks off its year with a second instalment in the Ruutana City Mood Series. Once again it brings four vital dubbed out grooves to a lovely green marbled vinyl starting with Ohm & Kvadrant's 'Borsen' which is a smoky, grainy roller with icy drums. Armin Bender's 'All Or Nothing' brings a little extra light and optimism in the airy pads and Tm Shuffle pairs things right back for 'Efficient Answers' which is a gritty basement jam. Gonzalo Villarreal's 'Curanto' shits down with tons of lovely echo and reverb on a raw percussive cut.
Review: Bjarnar & Jonas's last album back in 2023 was critically well-received and now it is back in all-new form as a selection of four classy remixes. First up it is Seven Villas label boss Pablo Bolivar who gets all blissed out and paddy on 'Bara', while Merv brings some nice smeared chords to the rolling, hypnotic dub of 'Erebus'. On the flip, Philipp Priebe Saeti's take on 'Stratospheric Clouds' reworks it as a shimmering and bottomless dub lit up by some warming chords and last of all, Waage flips 'Anguta' into a dark, stark and punchy dub-tech monster that comes on like an unstoppable wall of noise. A quartet of seriously meaty sounds overall.
Review: Over the past couple of years the Ohm Series of 12"s has quietly become one of the best in the field of dub techno, always carrying a respectable range of artists pushing the sound forwards, and now carrying the kind of weight which tells you you're getting the best these artists have to offer. On the seventh entry we can hear Ohm himself, aka Bjarnar Jonsson and Octal Industries teaming up for the deeply submerged creeper 'System (vs Federson)', while Lee Holman brings something brighter, more Motor City-inspired to the table on 'Absorbed By The Elements'. Andrea Cichecki slinks into a mellow, swung house mood on 'Universe Blue' and El Choop leans in on the sound design around his chord sounds to create the rhythmic heat in his outstanding 'FORPOD'. As ever, the bar remains high with the Ohm Series offerings.
Review: Celestial Voyage on White Lunar delivers four distinct tracks that fuse futuristic techno and trance for a cosmic journey. Side-1 opens with Oho's 'Endless Coordination', a mysterious, futuristic techno track with a touch of psy-trance, creating an otherworldly vibe. Ffrvnco follows with 'Late Day', a high-energy 90s-inspired techno-trance hybrid. Its acid line meshes perfectly with melodic elements, offering a sci-fi-tinged experience. Side-2 kicks off with Stefano Andriezzi's 'Dos En Uno', a fast-paced, fun techno track designed to move the dancefloor with its addictive energy. 'Anti Entertainment' by Jucid closes the EP, bringing the tempo down with a moody, low-tempo trance cut. Mysterious and alien in tone, it's a perfect end to this celestial voyage. A futuristic and diverse selection for techno and trance fans that have a minimal techno production technique.
Review: Fantastically frisky broken beat, jazz and ambient fusions from new Vessel signee Jacob Ohrberg, with the fresh EP 'Vinyl Vanity'. Promoted simply with the tagline "deep tracks, open minds", this one's accompanied by a pensive metatext: "vinyl and physical media represent preservation acts committed in vain... the true, ever-changing form becomes frozen, an unchangeable product which serves our vanity." Evidently not bereft of social consciousness, Ohrberg spotlights the unavoidable vanity of music releasing - the megalomania, the leveraging of identity for personal gain, the sating of an irrational need for recognition - where other artists may never dare to, for fear of coming across cynical. Ohrberg is unafraid of the pratfall of vanity, assuring us there's 'No Respite' with two ten plus minute progressions in dance-soul. No matter our reservations, our idealisations, the music will keep flowing in one way or another, whether on vinyl or another medium (provided the former is proven unsustainable in due time). The digital bonus 'The Naughty Edit' brings delicious vocal chill-light, fidgeting between piano house and soul jazz, toeing the line between them so that you're not quite sure of the track's "liveness" going in.
Review: With more than two decades of output behind him, French producer Okain continues to carve his own path through the deeper ends of dance music. On this latest EP, he folds elements of acid, sci-fi and Goa trance into a rich and forward-moving four-tracker. The experience leans much more toward interstellar techno exploration. 'Acid Spin' kicks things off with propulsion. It's not overly fast, but the drive is undeniable. Electric squiggles and sharp synth lines dart across a steady rhythm, giving the track an urgent yet sleek atmosphere. 'EPR Paradox' is just as tightly produced, letting its groove build gradually with layers of texture and restraint. On the 2nd side, 'Wavefunction' drops into a swirling, cosmic descent. It feels like tumbling through a wormhole, where the lines between gravity and sound begin to blur. 'Computing Force' rounds off the journey with a deft hybrid of Goa trance energy and techno structure. The melodies shimmer with a nostalgic rave glow, yet everything remains clean, spacious, and functional. Altogether, the EP is a bold statement from a veteran still pushing boundaries. It's deep, physical, and built for futuristic dancefloors. This EP could change minds when it comes to what psy-trance is...
B-STOCK: Sleeve split on top but otherwise in excellent condition
Dirac Sea (5:38)
Pterodactyl Phaser (6:22)
Spintronics (6:34)
Circuit Model (6:22)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve split on top but otherwise in excellent condition***
Okain brings the class to this final outing of the year from German tech titans RAND Muzik. It's a full-throttle 12" that wastes no time in getting down to business: 'Dirac Sea' combines funky drum programming with nice squelchy acid, warped synth lines and crisp percussion to soon sweep you off your feet. 'Pterodactyl Phaser' is smoother and has a subtle garage shuffle to its low end, while balmy pads keep things cosmic up top. 'Spintronics' then ups the ante once more with thumping tech kicks and lively synth lines. 'Circuit Model' shuts down with some nice psychedelic clouds and a busy bassline. Quality tackle for sure.
Review: Okain brings the class to this final outing of the year from German tech titans RAND Muzik. It's a full-throttle 12" that wastes no time in getting down to business: 'Dirac Sea' combines funky drum programming with nice squelchy acid, warped synth lines and crisp percussion to soon sweep you off your feet. 'Pterodactyl Phaser' is smoother and has a subtle garage shuffle to its low end, while balmy pads keep things cosmic up top. 'Spintronics' then ups the ante once more with thumping tech kicks and lively synth lines. 'Circuit Model' shuts down with some nice psychedelic clouds and a busy bassline. Quality tackle for sure.
Review: Okain is back on Talman Records with a four-track EP that draws on his two-decade journey as a producer. As always he has his sights set firmly on the dancefloor here with full force opener 'Wake Up,' a homage to early 2000s tech house. It has crisp percussion, sharp stabs, and haunting vocals as well as a nice lithe grove, then 'Take Me Up' taps into UK garage with its thick bassline and distinct hooks. Flipping to the darker side, 'Secret Science' is more dub-inspired with heavy low ends and warm sub-bass, perfect for late-night atmospheres. Last of all is 'Swing Theory,' a slick cut with minimal house elements and dubby, infectious rhythms.
Review: Despite the title sounding like an archive collection, 1994 is actually the debut album from OKRAA. It has an emphasis on live performance and makes for a gorgeously immersive and even evolving listen from the aways excellent A Strangely Isolated Place label. All four pieces are over with minutes but they are worthy of their playing time for the way so much unfolds in such engaging fashion. Synths are cold and innocent on 'Ola De Luz' while 'Heartless' is more textural, dark, heavy in its mood. The title track is another heavy and introspective one while 'Plasma' has a more optimistic feel that lifts the spirts.
Review: There's not much we can tell you about the identities of the "trusty producers" behind the Old Boys Vinyl Sessions project, other than that they have been making and releasing music under various aliases since the pre-MP3 days. It's easy to see why they want to avoid publicity, as what's an offer is a tasty house rework of a string-laden Blue Nile number from back in 1984. The opening 'Cloudburst Vox' wraps elements of the band's sultry, simmering original track (strings, vocals, pianos) and tech-house electronics around a locked-in house groove, while the accompanying 'Cloudburst Dub' strips out the vocals while retaining the gorgeous arrangements and druggy 21st century sounds. The extended flipside 'Torrent Vox' ramps up the strings and other picturesque sounds, inserting a simply stunning extended breakdown for good measure.
Review: The latest from Burnski's Vivid label is a three way split, six track affair with Oldboy, Xander and Longeez each dispatching a pair of tunes in the label's trademark roughneck breakbeat style. - Oldboy kicks off proceedings with the speedy junglisms of 'Blackbird' before the chunkier, funkier and a little more traditionally paced breaks heft of 'Walrus Party'. Xander's 'If I Tell EM' and 'Get To The Point' both plays off two step rhythmic twists and menacing bass against dreamy synths and more breakbeaty flourishes, before Longeez closes proceedings with the slightly sparser 'Evermore' - super sharp hi hats and echoing rasta dialogue - and the appropriately spinback-peppered 'Wheel Up'.
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