HAYES Portugal Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Portugal's HAYES label clocks up a fifth EP here and once again takes us deep into a world of supple but subversive techno. It is a mix of artists who serve up the sounds with VIL's dancey 'Dothejazz' layering minimal synths and drums with potent bass rumbles. Norbak & Temudo then rock you back and forth on your heels as drunken synths evoke and adapt to the icy groove on 'Cloud Seeding.' VIL & Temudo then pair off for the more twisted 'Pampomaniac' and Quelza closes down with 'Arnold,' a whacked-out and skeletal techno rhythm that borrows from early jungle.

Review: Heads down, eyes closed and get marching because this is another muscular outing from the Portuguese techno label HAYES. It is a 40th, in fact, so by now the label knows how to unearth the most compelling of sounds and that's just what Norbak serves up here: these are bangers steeped in traditionalism with hulking great drums and layers of percussion and synth texture peeling off as the drums march on. Heavy, hypnotic, and with a dark funk at their core, they're perfect weapons for a wide range of strobe-lit club settings.

Review: 'Moon Chords' aren't just any old chords; they're the diatonic delights singularly emitted through the mitts of none other than the Portuguese producer Vil. The artist's latest EP plays back in the fashion of something not unlike a four-track lunar probe; opener 'Summer Loop' pairs hard industrial techno grooves with a stylistic smidgen of hip house and electro, while the title track follows up with a deeply hypnotic hyperventilation, with every sound sci-fi'd and tuned in key. Fireground's version of the A1 is nothing less than horrifying, while closer 'The Rtm Is Burning' warns us of the ends of techno, with its tuplet kicks (not 4x4) signallng the imminent crashing and burning of our trusty lunar spacecraft.

Review: The Hayes label is very nearly at a landmark 50th release mark but don't overlook number 49. It comes from Norbak and offers some serious techno clout. 'Malta 6am' is a pounding and loopy cut with lither percussion and sleek synths working you into a lather then 'Passo Lento' slips into a more minimal sound with groaning synth textures increasing hi hat pressure. There is no let up on the B-side as 'Lux' cuts loose on gallivanting drum funk which is underpinned by thudding kicks, and 'Gare' shuts down with a weight, dubbed out sound. Plenty of variation in this one makes it a standout 12".