Review: Four cuts of timeless hardcore jungle from respected and rising Aussie break butcher 12 Bit Jungle Out There. Hugging you like it's 92 but booting you like it's 2032, each track is littered with edits, twists, turns and superb stretches. From the ragga-fronted bubbler 'Dutty Gunman' to the rave-echoed 'Desire & Love', there's a hearty party spirit that's so good for those choppy, blast-em-up mixes. Trust us, he's has been squeezing his Octamed super hard for this one!
Review: Peddling heavy, sweet subs that ooze out of the scoops like syrup, Portuguese low end maestro 3WA makes his debut on Infernal Sounds with four utterly stinking brouhahas. 'Scavenger' starts the commotion on a deep but stern note and things get more and more twisted throughout the EP... 'Minotaur' grunts and growls with a over-sized toxic bassline while 'Mutt's flips from cosmic and percussive to straight-up deranged. Last but not least 'Wandering' finishes the EP on a last lingering groan. Refreshingly woozy.
Review: A new artist emerges here on Valencia-based label HC Records as Andrey Orenstein, a multidisciplinary musician and member of the alternative rock band Tequilajazz, makes a bold mark. He has explored various solo projects, including the IDM and breaks of Amor Entrave and acid house of Do You Like Trains? but as 50DIX, he presents a blend of Chicago footwork, UK bass, funk, jazz, and acid elements, all at high-energy BPMs. 'If U Want 2' is a perfect mix of frenzied drums but soothing pads, 'Foolz' is all about the pinging bass and 'Ice Feels Keen' is more blissed out and sun kissed. It's a colourful collection of highly impactful sounds.
Review: Certain parts of Canada's proximity to techno birthplace Detroit means the country has always had its own fresh take on the sound, right back to the early Richie Hawtin days of minimalism. Over a quarter of a century of releases now, Aquaregia has kept up that tradition. Behind this latest missive is 747 who opens with lashings of acid and coarse, chattery percussive over jacked-up drums. There is a more psychedelic edge to the loopy synth patterns and softer acid of 'Suffocating In Stardust' then 'Iron Tears' gets gritty, tense, and douses you in melodic fireworks. Last of all, 'Deep Space Opera' takes a more widescreen approach with misty-eyed synthscapes and soft, gently pitch-bent acid.
Tactics Of Bass - "Big Hips Blue Gloves (No Dubs)" (7:48)
Tactics Of Bas - "Tactics Of Bas" (7:59)
The Ron Honey Experience - "D66" (7:15)
Quadruplex - "Sky Wave" (7:01)
Quadruplex - "Robot Rotate" (5:30)
Quadruplex - "G-Hop" (7:24)
The Secret Garden - "Rough Diamond" (3:25)
Review: Matt Hodgson's 7th Voyage is one of those mid-90s labels that enjoyed cult status almost from the off. Its releases helped to define the sound of the London underground of the time and have since become pricey and sought after. The Return Voyage is a new seven-track collection of back-catalogue gems that pays tribute to the label's fine work. From the deep and atmospheric 'Big Hips Blue Gloves (No Dubs)' by Tactics Of Bass to the squelchy lo-fi hip-hop funk of The Secret Garden's 'Rough Diamond,' this is a vital look back at a hugely influential label.
Review: NY breakbeat craftsman 88 Katanas gets explorative on Silent Force with four outstanding jungle adventures. The brilliantly titled 'The Standard Of The Archipelago' ignites the EP with a brisk drumfunk type of flavour that's comparable to Seba. From there we move inland to brutalist terrains... 'Radiant Energy' is a halftime march through thick swamps and woodland, and 'Bit Rot' takes us onto elevated fields where the air is fresher but the ground is very slippery underfoot. 'Subconscious Emotions', meanwhile, takes us back to a much calmer shore where a good looking ship awaits for voyage home.
Keep It Moving (feat Riko Dan - Bakey dub mix) (4:38)
Keep It Moving (feat Riko Dan - instrumental) (4:24)
Hear This (4:57)
Review: Freerange Sounds - which shouldn't be confused with Jimpster's deep house label Freerange - is reissuing its first release from back in May 2022 here. It's a dark garage outing from 9TRANE that kicks off with 'Keep It Moving' (feat Riko Dan) with edgy vocals, late-night urban menace and some crisp drum patterns. The fantastic Bakey dub mix brings more pruning basslines and withering pads while the instrumental is stripped back and more haunting. Last of all is 'Hear This' which leans on the Burial style of ghostly production but with a more fulsome low-end and prickly percussive brew riding the beats. Serious tackle for sure.
Review: What's that, a new year means a new label from Burnski? We'd expect nothing else. The man has more imprints than a beach has grains of sand, but importantly they all serve a purpose and all kick out killer jams. Mikasa starts with this lush and lithe prog house EP from Abdul Raeva. Stylish opener 'Cream' is a bouncy, feel-good and sleek electronic house sound for peak time fun. 'Helico' is laced with acid and 'Tex Mex' has psyched-out lines rising through the uplifting drums while 'Vanguard' shuts down with a percussive edge and a killer bassline.
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: Actress is one of those names that invokes equal parts notoriety and hero worship. Like so much of the music he is associated with, the producer and DJ, studio experimenter and synth explorer doesn't have a reputation for being the easiest artist to predict. A creator who seems determined to push boundaries, even if that sometimes means abrasive and uninviting to the uninitiated, or anyone who would have preferred to hear something less abstract, if not altogether safer. Grey Interiors is a case in point. Dropping on the always-incredible Norwegian outlet Smalltown Supersound only emphasises the fact this is going to be an exercise in boldly going... Pressed onto a single-sided white 12" reinforces the notion that this occupies a place very much unto itself. The drones, distant sound of stardust falling, and whirs of tech that make up this spacey drone experience confirming we've boarded the shuttle and are now exiting Earth's atmosphere.
Review: This new solo outing from Aussie talent Ad Nauseaum has it all - acid, rave, techno, hardcore and more. 'Omega System' sets a pretty brutal tone to get things underway with filtered synths and blazing acid lines searing about the mix over raw, hard, flat drums. 'Alpha System' is even quicker and brings serrated synth madness to video game motifs and slamming kicks. Last of all is 'Always Acid,' a track that was made back in 2004 but doesn't sound in any way out of date. It's another one to blow the roof off any party.
Review: This hidden gem from 1975 was self-released on Glen Adams' Capo label out of Brooklyn, New York. 'Stay Dread' rather flies under the radar but is a must-listen, especially the outer limits version on the flip which is a brilliantly psychedelic dub with a mad cosmic lead that takes you into all new realms. The original is a great example of reggae's raw energy and experimental spirit with Adams' distinct vocal style adding a unique touch to proceedings. The rare original has become a sought-after find for reggae heads so do not sleep on this reissue which is unpolished yet powerful.
Review: We are real fans of the PIV label out of the Netherlands for the way they have bright plenty of new thinking to house and tech. Their Limited label off-shoot is even more forward-thinking and this time welcomes ADR for some of their signature sounds. 'Daft Excluder' gets underway with flappy snares and a nice nebulous ecosystem of neon synth details and snappy drums. The Casey Spillman remix gets more punch with wet clicks and a garage tinge to the drums. 'Professor Magnet' sinks you into a bulbous bass line that is warped and fluid under snappy claps and 'Infinity808' brings nice and trippy electro vibes and a kinetic rhythm to close. It might be the best of the lot.
Review: Agonis' debut album Neutropia receives a well-earned remix treatment here. Originally released in 2021, the album showcased Agonis' evolution beyond deep, hypnotic techno by incorporating half-paced drum & bass, rolling amen breaks, trip-hop and futuristic techno. Neutropia Remixed broadens this palette further with four distinctive reworks. Carrier slows 'Thermo' into a half-time rhythmic masterpiece, Christina Vantzou crafts a mesmerising drone trip, upsammy injects shimmering dynamics into 'Algoflash' and Felix K transforms 'Pyrchid' into an intricate drum workout.
Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
Review: Nail is one of UK house music's most vital contributors. His raw sound pioneered a new style of tech house in the 90s and here he reappears under a different alias, AM Vibe. 'Vibe With Me' kicks off with nice loose drums and perc and jazzy keys adding the warmth and soul. 'I'm So High' brings some loopy and filtered fun and phased vocals for a sleazy feel, then 'Dried Fruit' gets more upbeat with lush synth swirls and effortlessly cool drums and rich r&b vocal samples. 'Powder' closes out with some thumping kicks and more tender vocal stabs. As always, this is brilliantly heartfelt and effective tackle from Nail.
Review: Phoenix man Eddie Amador is synonymous with one track more than any other artist in the game. He wrote 'House Music' in 1997 and it soon became a club anthem that has endured over the years. Now, decades on, he is back with a follow-up of sorts in the form of 'House Music Dos (Doin' It House Style.' The lyrics from the original, "not everyone understands house music, it's a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing," still hold true and fragments of that tune appear here next to fresh funky drums and gritty chords. 'Househeads In Full Effect' has a darker vocal that infuses low-slung drums and a funny bassline with real menace.
Review: There is a murky underworld feel to these new techno sounds from Ireen Amnes. They come on the cultured KR3 label and soon hook you in as 'Images Of Us' is both deep and moody but dynamic and impactful. 'Surrounded' flips the script with more industrial drums and an unsettling sense of urgency then 'October' daisy it back to cavernous dub 'scapes with lonely vocal musings. 'KTO' brings lithe broken beats and 'I'd Rather Be Sleeping' is a suspenseful ambient sound.
Review: Formerly run by both Michael Wollenhaupt and Conrad Protzmann, the Ancient Methods project is now run solo by the former producer, an artist who is clearly intending to keep the sound of the project going strong. This EP, however, launches the new Parsephonic Sirens label, and the sounds are very much grounded in something altogether more surreal. The opening "Remember Me" is a chilly, frost-bitten ambient affair, whereas "Born Of Ashes launches with a mean, fiery techno blow that sounds like the inside of a jet engine. On the flip, "I Am Blazing Sound" rolls out its deafening techno punch with melodies reminiscent of something Middle-Eastern, leaving "Now Come Closer" to offer a more traditional 4/4 stance in the most poignant of German fashions.
Review: It doesn't seem like the hard techno revolution is going anywhere any time soon. AnD (techno) is a label making sure of that and its sixth missive from the boss is another one to make the eyes water and the heart race. The white knuckle slammer that is 'I Got So Much' kicks off and then 'Screeching' does just that with a terrifying sense of anxiety and menace. 'Your Energy' is all glitchy sounds, squealing textures, hard techno drums and twisted sirens and the final part of this techno equivalent of a Monster energy drink overload is the rip-snorting 'On A Mission.'
Review: Chiwax welcomes Andrew Red Hand here for his third outing on the revered house label. We're told it is one of his most intimate and personal releases and there sure is plenty of deep and pensive energy to 'In The Cemetery (part III)' with its snappy electro rhythms but long-sustained and introspective chords. 'Summer Nostalgia' is raw, punchy techno and 'Autumn Nostalgia' gets more banging with a brazen bassline and celestial synth glow. 'Sorrowful Joy' closes down with a celebratory air in the happy chords but the betas remain heady.
Review: Rant & Rave Records have secured another fine EP from the highly touted Andromeda here. She has made waves as a resident at London club FOLD and with tunes on outlets like Ear To Ground, Natural Selection and Raw Quarter that all explore the outer realms of techno with nods of appreciation for the 90s sound. The title track unfolds a brooding soundscape of ominous synths that steadily rise in pitch and complexity, mirroring the vast, mysterious expansion of the cosmos. 'Lost Planet' follows, driven by hypnotic leads and an unrelenting rhythm section and 'Black Hole' has razor-sharp stabs and deep, resonant bass. Closing with 'El Abismo', Andromeda descends into darker sonic realms and offers an unrelenting force, where intricate synth patterns collide with commanding percussion and a relentless kick
Review: On The Button is a Leeds based record label and party that has a cultured following. Its first musical outing drew rightful praise and now comes a second, this time from Barcelona based Aniano. This one is not short on energy: opener 'No Me Dejo Enganar (feat Rub Db)' has a filthy bassline that will get lips curled in mock disgust. It's fat-assed tech with real swagger and 'Did You Want This' keeps the vibes flowing with more fresh sounds designs and characterful basslines. 'Spellbound Sage' is marked with intriguing sound designs and warped pads, digital melodies and wonky energy and 'Futuristic Residential Area' is a fine experimental closer that is dense and inventive.
Review: Off Topic builds on its early momentum with a third outing if deep tech class from Antonio and Pir. Antonio get first with a cute vibe on 'We Sang We Laugh' which repeats the title's refrain over elastic and nimble drums. 'Danca Danca' its more heady with reverb-rich kicks and echoing vocals that bring a curious edge and then it is Per who takes care of the flipside. 'Mighty Blue' layers a smoky jazz line over weighty house kicks and 'Glass' shuts down with more sample madness.
Review: Last spotted raising hell and taking names with Jon 1st on Defrostatica, Arcane (who is also known as one half of the more mainstream-sounding d&b act Kleu) goes full nelson on the breaks with these two choppy choppy bangers on Foxy Jangle. Both cuts focussing on the drums, subs, samples and FX, these are fully timeless trips and sculpted strictly for the heads. Great for losing yourself inside at 3am and even better to mix. Just like concrete.
Review: This is the first in a new collaborative series between Derailed Records and Planet Rhythm who have teamed up for a new vinyl series that launches with Rotterdam's ARKVS. 'Sonus' rumbles with low-end threat and fizzy static that locks you in the moment. 'Deviate (feat Ronald Nels)' is more sparse with claps echoing out to an event horizon as supple acid tones linger in the air. 'Amphibian Velocity' layers up gurgling synths and pent-up drum tension and 'Crashing Rhythms' is a punchy but deep closer and a fourth and final evocative and sophisticated offering which gets this series underway in style.
Review: After the roaring success of his last outing here, the '3 Woman EP,' Art Of Tones is back on GAMM with a 12" that brings male ovals to the fore. They are all very different in style but all highly effective. 'International Truth' opens with strident and funky disco drums and noodling guitar lines with soulful tones lighting up the beats. 'Don's Expensive Afro' is a rework of a rare Afro-disco track with more expressive vocals instructing the floor to move. Last of all is a stunning reimagining of an overlooked Stevie Wonder gem, 'Stevland's Run', which is off-balance and unusual funk madness laden with psyched-out guitar work.
Review: This Vincent Arthur album is a tribute to his daughter Vivian and was crafted by talented musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Germany. Once obscure for 30 years, its standout track, 'Travel With The Music' became an anthem after making a high-profile appearance in a Dekmantel set where its euphoric afro-disco sound really made a lasting mark. Online sleuths uncovered its origin which has reignited interest in this hidden gem, which has been remastered by Frank at The Carvery. It revives three key tracks in 'Travel With The Music' which shines with afro, disco, and gospel-like euphoria. 'Afro Disco' brings playful energy while 'Jubilation' closes the night with deep, celebratory vibes.
Review: Both of these funk gems are taken from a cult compilation Trans Groove Express, which explored the sounds of Express Records and was assembled by MURO. Fourth Wave now serve them up on a superb 7", starting with Maki Asakawa. 'Hohi Hitotsu' is a delightfully gentle and subtle dub with funky guitars adding movement while the sultry vocal soars. Yasuhiro Abe's 'Night Fish' is a brighter and more retro 80s soul and boogie sound with glowing chords and snappy hits. The Japanese language vocal is emotive enough to mean plenty without understanding the meaning of the words.
Review: Mike Ash burns the dancefloor to a crisp with these firing new UK hardcore assaults. 'Eurotic' is dense and loopy with bright metallic synths looped next to grinding bass until you are at breaking point. 'Eat My Bleep' brings lottery, trance-tinged rave stabs up top over more snappy low ends and 'My Number' then brings some old school piano energy snappy drums. 'Spell Bleep' taps into that 90s Warp sound and has the kind of menacing synth oscillations that bring original rave bang up to date.
Review: The ASHPPE series has been nothing if not unhurried. It started several years ago but always results in essential outings when they do come. The fourth transmission from the techno talent emerges from subterranean shadows with three tracks aimed squarely at the club. 'Judge' is tightly looped and edgy without letting you settle and 'Deeper' then brings muscular broken beat patterns, glitchy textures and raw hits into a futuristic techno soundscape. 'The Box' brings bright and shimmering synth smears to more contorted and twisted drum patterns that demand your more inventive moves.
Review: OMEN Recordings's next release is a big one that unites Axkan and Duellist on the same slab of wax. They take care of one side each and we're told the inspiration for their sounds was making a "shared response to the turmoil of global conflicts." Duellist kicks off and suggests with his offerings that he is anxious, unsettled and in fight mode because 'Oxidative Stress' is front-foot techno with monstrous bass energy. 'Stains Of Time' is another one with brash drums and perc and plenty of tension, then Axkan offers the hypotonic loops of 'Warfare' and broken beat menace of 'Thermobaric.
Review: B From E is a Danish artist who has a trio of new EPs all coming on the French label Happiness Therapy. The concept is to explore spirituality while paying homage to the transformative power of dancing. 'Sa?s?ra Cycles' soon showcases his exceptional artistic and technical skill as it weaves through an ethereal dream house, uplifting garage and piano house and hypnotic neo-trance while highlighting his remarkable versatility. 'Diamonds' is a catchy and rubbery tech opener with Balearic chords and 'Mushrooms' has a more dubby and driving low end with lovely synth arcs way up in the heavens. These are some of the freshest cuts we've heard in a minute.
Review: Danish artists B From E lands on the increasingly impressive French label Happiness Therapy with a trio of new EPS that delve into spirituality and pay home to the transformative power of dancing. 'Siphonophore' gets underway with a trance-laced melodic edge and high-speed drums then hypnotic neo-trance layers wash over you on the speedy 'Storm' and 'Dreams Of Sasabone' taps in the hard house revival with bouncy but funky kicks and glowing neon pads. 'Love & Joy '97 has an old-school feel with euro dance beats and warped basslines and 'Planet Love' completes the trip with a blend of psychedelic synth colours, filtered vocals and optimism in the uplifting grooves.
A Soft Mist Production - "Upside Down Rainbows" (5:01)
Dr Sud - "Zaffiro" (Jazz cut) (3:59)
DatSIM - "Influx" (4:40)
The Rabbit Hole - "Tail Groove" (4:27)
Review: No matter your particular preference in the deep house world, this various artists' outing from Q1E2 Recordings is sure to have something for you. Mike Riveria & Marco Ohboy, for example, tap into an early sound on 'Euphoria' with its big, brash piano stabs and whistles, while A Soft Mist Production keeps it all cuddly and deep with languid chords draped over gentle drums on 'Upside Down Rainbows.' DatSIM brings in some space-tech vibes for a deft rhythm and neon infused sound on 'Influx' and The Rabbit Hole's 'Tail Groove' has a mad double bass sound jumping about beneath frantic jungle breaks.
Review: We always love to hear from the Swedish folks at Studio Barnhus, a bunker-turned studio in Stockholm that serves up left-of-centre sounds on the regular. Ari Bald and CJ Scott combine for this one and bring a usual sense of melodic flair and catchy pop hooks to quality club beats. 'Disko Lena' is house music full of whimsy and charm, 'Panta Tanta' is packed with fun samples and 'Lasse Mango' is a steamy workout with shuffling, garage-lining drums. 'Bogges Bubblor' shuts down with some cosmic magic.
Review: Cosmic master and eclectic DJ trendsetter Daniele Baldelli is back with more Cosmic Voodoo in the form of this new series of releases alongside Mattia Dalara. 'Saturn Express' gets underway with a typically diverse set of influences from psych rock guitar to disco drums and cosmic exploration. 'Countless Sigga' is a playful sound with 80s synth seances looked over drums with a hint of Afro charm and fat disco basslines. Last of all is the wonderful 'Silverado Trail' with its hypotonic lead, crunchy and chuggy ALFOS style drums and percolating arps which shine as bright as the sun.
Review: Originally released in 2023, old friends Basic Rhythm and Tim Reaper collide for this double A delight. Both artists take a side... Basic Rhythm strips things right back to its gurgling basics with just a gritty bassline and spaced out percussion on 'Gargantua' before Tim comes in and adds a whole swathe of breaks and energy for a more beefed up version. 'Selectors Convention' takes over the B; a big trippy wormhole that devours everything in its path, it's a full-on psychedelic jungle trip... That gets even more delightful with the VIP. What a reissue.
Review: Belpaese Edits hits a 12th release with more mash-up and reworked takes on classics from across the disco, funk and Italo spectrum. 'Ancora Noi' is first here and is a lively jam with raw drums and expressive Italian vocals over tight, funky guitar riffs. 'Profumo Di Mar' keeps up the energy levels with some big horns rising high out of a tight and funky disco groove. These are timeless and charming sounds designed to blow up mature dancefloors.
Review: Much loved Michigan techno and ambient virtuoso John Beltran wraps up the so far so excellent Back to Bahia 7 series with the a final volume that proves to be the most dancefloor focussed offering yet. Leading with 'O Patio,' Beltran shows his class with a blend of jazz-funk and MPB that comes with a rather sunny Ibiza-inspired twist while echoing the vibes of Latin greats like Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti. On the flip side, 'Belle Isle' is a perfect party anthem for those outdoor sessions - think beach gatherings or cookouts and you won't go wrong. This has been a brilliant series and while it's a shame it's over, this is a fitting way to end it.
Review: Bendrik's latest EP is inspired by Brussels' vibrant club scene and his travels to various countries. It's a work of fusion that smudges together various electronic niches with finesse and the A-side features powerful tracks like 'Dr. Martens' and 'Trust' which deliver energetic melodies perfect for peak moments. On the B-side, the cover track 'Aqualung' transitions from this intensity to a more relaxed vibe that allows more room for thought with its steady bassline and hypnotic textures. Finally, 'Shirahama' reflects the artist's explorations and soundtracks a journey through distant lands.
Review: The Birgan project is all about melding diverse musical words - ambient, techno and Afro-inspired polyrhythms - into something that is utterly unique. Many artists set out with this intention but few achieve it as successfully as this one, as this sensational EP shows. It is an immersive and escapist five-track work of stunning sound designs and inventive rhythm that feels both organic and natural yet synthetic and futuristic. The tracks explore deep, mysterious sonic landscapes that are both tranquil yet complex and make for an immersive, thought-provoking listen from the dubscapes of 'Beats Of The Congo Cosmos' to the more psychedelic realms of 'Subaquatic Sonic Voyage'.
Review: Back to 93! Two OG pioneers are deep in the lab, cooking up the future - Bizzy B and DJ Zinc. These are two of many blueprints from such a turbulent, primordial era in jungle history. 'Dex Flex' is a sci-fi movie epic in the form of a song... The eerie intro, dramatic militant breaks and the wide screen way it rolls out and develops are powerfully ambitious. We're unsure if it ever actually came out or not, too. 'Getting Down' did come out, however. But not under this title. Due to Zinc being signed with another label, it came out as Bizzy's 'Break Of Dawn'. Still breaking things up to this day, it's a bubbler that never quits. What a flashback.
Review: If you like your jazz mystical and spaced out then you're on the right page with this one. The Blackhole label returns with a sixth self-titled offering that is buy on sight. 'More Love Songs' has whimsical leads disappearing off into the cosmic ether over mic jazz-funk drums with some breezy vocals finishing it in style. 'Searching The Circle' then take off on another carefree and breezy groove with far-sighted melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies that melt you to your core. Beautiful stuff.
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.
You Could Be More As You Are (Super Disco mix) (5:07)
You Could Be More As You Are (Bleep mix) (2:59)
Review: For the unaware, Saada Bonaire's 1984 gem 'You Could Be More As You Are' is the very definition of a cult classic. Known for offering a chugging blend of new wave, leftfield synth-pop and post-disco dancefloor nous, it was produced by an obscure German DJ and fronted by two female vocalists. Those singers have now joined forces with producers Jens Mahlstedt and Ralph 'von' Richthoven to deliver a 2025 remake. It's presented in two distinctively different forms. On the A-side, we get the 'Super Disco Mix', a driving, bass guitar-driven affair that mixes replayed elements of the 1984 original (including some of the spellbinding synths) with clipped disco guitars and freshly recorded vocals. The flipside 'Bleep Mix' is not an early Warp style re-build, but in fact a slightly more electronic-sounding dub disco version.
Review: It's been a while since we heard from London's bass innovator Brassfoot. In fact, this is his first new EP since a great album back in 2022 and it offers up trippy electronics of the highest order. 'Cat Riddles & Ginnels Juice' is a murky world of lo-fi sounds, scratchy drums and wiry sonics that is pure scuzz. 'Double Speak' is another caustic and rusty melange of rhythmic motifs and fuzzy synth decay while 'Kinda Vicarious ' is all twisted church bells and otherworldliness. 'Earthiopia' is hyperdriven experimental minimalism and 'A Nation, No Flag' closes this most avant-garde EP with more eerie urban electronics. A truly out there EP.
Review: The latest addition to Echo Edits keeps the funk coming courtesy of Break Character who delivers two powerful tracks that are indicative of his unique approach, names to enhance each edit with extra layers of FX and beats. 'Cosmic Freaks' takes a 60s go-go rock groove and infuses it with Moog and Space Echo effects while paying homage to the psychedelic club sounds of Pierre Henry and JJ Perrey. 'Cherie Boca' then transports you in an instant to the funky samba rhythms of 70s Brazil with an extended edit and added beats to guide dancers from the favela to the beach. Two distinct styles, perfect for different vibes.
Review: Brother Aten debuts on Bruk with a minimalist masterpiece featuring the detached vocals of Ze R. This tidy 10" is influenced by cult sci-fi and early 80s no wave so naturally presents a stark, synthetic soundscape devoid of excess. The title reflects its mood: Aten's mechanical mantras are crafted with precision on outboard instruments and explore gritty, futuristic worlds. On 'Unavailable,' resonant drones create a platform for Ze R.'s initial deadpan delivery which reveals deeper humanity as the track unfurls through crisp drums. The brief yet impactful two-parter, 'Fragmented Dystopia' is a taste of Aten's cyberpunk vision while Ze R.'s words oscillate between structure and chaos.
Review: The genesis of this album was three soundsmiths getting together in Brother Sound Studio in March 2024. It's a room full of synths and instruments and mics and in there they set about their work with Martin Dread responsible for the composition. What results is a bunch of proper chunky dubs with a very modern production edge. Synths have a clean digital shine that brings a future feel, the toasting though is traditional so brings authenticity and the melodies are perfect for getting lost in after a hefty toke.
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