DEREK CARR Schallplatten & CDs

Review: REPRESS ALERT: Derek Carr is a name known by few and far between, with only a handful of vinyl releases in the early 2000s, he built a worthy but unfortunately not widely-spread reputation for putting together stunning deep techno. Originally pressed in finite numbers, the records have recently found themselves in demand on Discogs, and rightly so, Derek's music is in a class of its own. Having been a big fan since his releases on then local (to label owner Ben) Leeds label Geek records, For Those That Knoe has dug deep into the archives to put together a sizeable selection of Derek's back catalogue, with some unreleased gems dotted amongst the classic must-haves, spread across three EPs

Part three in Derek's starts with Cuba, probably the most sought after track in his back catalogue. It's stunning simplicity and charming summer vibe puts it amongst Derek's greatest works and understandably so. Red then slots into the A2 position which was originally released under the radar on a Headspace compilation. As warm as Cuba but with an added touch of melancholy. Truly outstanding deep house.

Iceberg takes things back more into techno territory with a funked up bass line, stepping rhythms, Detroit strings and those trademark twinkly leads. Finally Penthouse Apartment 3AM a lush electro breakbeat track from the very hard to find Trident release, rounds off the EP with aplomb.

Review: REPRESS ALERT: For Those That Knoe has been doing a sterling job in seeking out truly obscure operators from the annals of house and techno history, cultivating some meaningful working relationships with the likes of Derek Carr to give us an insight into great tracks that might otherwise have never seen the light of day. Derek Carr has already been spotted on the label once this year, and returns with another four impeccable slices of machine soul aimed squarely at the stars. Check "Bob" and there's every chance you'll feel the heady charm of B12 et al drifting over you, while "L'Equipe" gives you a serious dose of Heard-inspired warmth for these long winter nights.

Review: Long serving Irish producer Derek Carr continues to enjoy a resurgent career following his appearances on For Those That Knoe, now stepping up to Love Notes for some of his most effervescent house jams to date. "Sidewinder" is a sprightly, Detroit indebted house workout pitched at peak time, while "Stepping Out" trips into classically informed techno for the back room crowd. "Search For Intelligence" is a great example of how to execute sweet natured electro, and "Indigo" ditches the kicks to twirl into more of that Motor City flavoured machine soul magic for the mind.

Review: Having been rediscovered by labels like For Those That Knoe, cult deep techno favourite Derek Carr is on a roll and steps up to Distant Worlds in impeccable form. There's more than a little vintage techno mysticism to the tracks on New Planets To Conquer, which starts off in illustrious fashion with the swooning melancholy of "Scisor" before pinging into the dynamic electro delights of "Fading Fast." "Wraith" is a fast paced, bubbling but ultimately mellow techno jam, and "Sunrise System" cools the EP off with a chill-out cut carved from the same block of high-def synthesis.

Review: Derek Carr is a name known by few and far between, with only a handful of vinyl releases in the early 2000s, he built a worthy but unfortunately not widely-spread reputation for putting together stunning deep techno. Originally pressed in finite numbers, the records have recently found themselves in demand on Discogs, and rightly so, Derek's music is in a class of its own. Having been a big fan since his releases on then local (to label owner Ben) Leeds label Geek records, For Those That Knoe has dug deep into the archives to put together a sizeable selection of Derek's back catalogue, with some unreleased gems dotted amongst the classic must-haves.

Review: New label Rhythmic Science comes with a manifesto to release all shades of deep, spacey techno and this inaugural split artist release sets the tone nicely. The presence of Mark Archer should encourage many inquisitive techno minds to check this record out and those that do will feel right at home when they hear "Chuch" which is drawn from the same palette as his Nexus 21 material. However the other contributions also impress; Irish producer Derek Carr offers a meditative slice of classic Motor City Soul in "Centrepoint" that builds in sublime fashion, allowing him to show off his prowess for lush, glistening chords. Flip over and Scottish producer Black Jack presents his own homage to the Detroit techno sound with the wonderfully paced "Future Classic" whilst Mark Ambrose provides the 'slam it right into the mix' moment with his heavy pounder "Insane".