Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Ix3m and Denis Andreev made impressive debuts on their 123.ro label last year, and now they're back for volume three as they head deeper into their experimental minimal techno practice. There are steadfast grooves guiding the action on ix3m's A-side cut 'Perfesona', but the emphasis is more on evocative sound design which takes on a three-dimensional quality as it shifts and contorts around the hyper-minimal beat. On the flip, ix3m and Andrew's collaborative track 'Satanic' weaves a subtle invocation in the direction of the dark side, putting an unsettling, whispered female voice in the middle of the mix and creating something clandestine in the process.

Review: Having made some waves in underground circles thanks to his classy brand of minimal tech house, IZA now makes the leap to vinyl to inaugurate the Norse Projekt label with his Bumbal EP. 'Madness' opens the record up in a classy, stripped-back blend of electro before we swerve directly into the pond courtesy of the title track's suspended drones and pin prick rhythms. 'Pardis' has a little more house-minded thrust in its drums, but IZA is someone who prioritises the less-is-more attitude in his studio concoctions. Don't sleep on the Andrei Ciubuc remix, which adds some dubby shimmers and rubbery acid to 'Pardis'.

Review: Breda, Netherlands-based Memoria Recordings returns with a very special release this time by staple Ilario Liburni from Belgium, who's no stranger to the label, together with label chief Izaakson, This is their debut EP after working together in the studio and they deliver three solid tracks on the Operator EP. On the first side, the title track is a proper back room dub that's perfect for those heads-down moments, followed by the rolling and bass-heavy minimal tool 'Get Around'. Over on the flip, the pair head to the afterhours on the acid-laced microhouse of 'Look At The Line' which ends things on a more playful note.

Review: Lukea and Illan Niccian combine their own respective sounds into this fresh EP on Dulceata. It kicks off with a track made by both, 'Pyrus', which is a wigged-out tech house cut with snaking bass and silvery drum sounds while a mysterious didgeridoo-style lead brings an original touch. Each artist then goes solo, with firstly Luka offering the low slung and late night depths of 'Providenza'. Illan Nicciani's 'Spiraea' is then a deep and spiritual closer with Mediterranean melodies washing over you as the liquid grooves and squelchy bass roll below.

Review: London-based Japanese artist Junki Inoue founded Saisei last year with a stunning trio of releases featuring Kino-Moderno, COLOGNe and Suzukiski. Now the label sets out a more comprehensive mission statement for the sound they're exploring with this six-deep VA release featuring return appearances as well as some new faces. The overarching sound is one of 90s-flavoured techno with a melodic, melancholic quality as beautifully demonstrated by Palomatic on the stunning 'Under The Ground'. Interferon has enough punch packed into 'Blasting Soul' to stand up to some of the foundational Detroit techno gear, but crucially it's got plenty of heart to match its weighty impact. If you want to get a handle on how Saisei is progressing, or just need some fresh techno with soul and smarts, be sure to nab one of these gems.

Review: Gjidoda Music returns with its long awaited third release. It's another various artists affair featuring some right heavy hitters and newcomers alike on the minimal scene. Opening up the first side is US veteran Bruno Pronsato with the typically arcane microhouse cut 'When You Ran Away From Home', followed by some late night mood music by Iljir on 'Ziiik Zaaak'. Over on the flip, Nikdo takes you into a cavernous and glacial realm on 'Confusion' and finally label chiefs (presumably!) Gjidoda & Gjidoda Jr go deep on the swing-fuelled groove action of 'Wish To Be A Movie Star'.

Review: Two And Half Records make the decision here to try and rid the A and B-side distinction on records that we are all very familiar with and instead they refer to each face of their latest 12" as 'dance' and 'listen.'' It makes sense frankly and is often how things go anyway. Swiss duo Quismi kick off this one with twitchy and narcotic tech house with an old school bent. French artist Groenogen then gets wild with bright melodies and grinding synths, r&b vocals and high speed tech funk on 'Twinkle Dance' while ILyes offers the tech silkiness of 'Starting Now.' On the flip is a trio of less direct, more experimental sounds that sure do offer plenty to get lost in on headphones.

Review: Making no bones about his sources of inspiration, Rotterdam-based DJ and producer Mitchel Polderman directs his Tafkamp alias to a wholesale ghetto house / Dance Mania aesthetic right down to the centre label. Tracks like 'Twerk Dat Shit' and 'Drive Me Crazy' have all the moves you'd expect from some proper Chicago early 90s gear, but Polderman's sound has a slicker modern finish which sets it apart from the OG material. There are six tracks on this release, and they all channel legends like DJ Deeon et al, with a pitched down sample of Peaches thrown in for good measure.

Review: 'PULSE 01' is the first release in PITP's new series, which is an ongoing exploration of ambient tech, while offering a more structured display of beat-driven ambient music. Pulse 01 features brand new tracks by SYNE and Influx.

SYNE is Dennis Huddleston from the UK, who is most recognized for his ambient work as 36. He returns to his SYNE alias for the first time in nearly 5 years, with only his second record since his 2017 self-titled debut LP.

'Dystalgia' is a 12 minute opus, spread over 3 movements. Soaring pads and razor sharp percussion combine for a dynamic, emotionally charged journey in sound. Showing love to the Detroit greats, but recognising the distinct UK influence which made him fall in love with Techno in the early 90's, it's a surprising pivot in Dennis' sound and one which all lovers of beautiful, melodic ambient techno should enjoy.

Influx is the techno/acid/trance moniker of James Bernard. With his first release in 1993 (Braineater EP on Sapho Records), Influx is no stranger to techno and acid. This project had been in hibernation for nearly 14 years until his 2021 remixes for his collaborative album with 36 and awakened souls (The Other Side of Darkness). Revel Dub is a dub-techno excursion with sprinkles of ambient and psy-trance rounding out the frequencies. The Slow Version dials back the tempo to half-time and travels to more ambient dub territories.

Review: 'PULSE 01' is the first release in PITP's new series, which is an ongoing exploration of ambient tech, while offering a more structured display of beat-driven ambient music. Pulse 01 features brand new tracks by SYNE and Influx.

SYNE is Dennis Huddleston from the UK, who is most recognized for his ambient work as 36. He returns to his SYNE alias for the first time in nearly 5 years, with only his second record since his 2017 self-titled debut LP.

'Dystalgia' is a 12 minute opus, spread over 3 movements. Soaring pads and razor sharp percussion combine for a dynamic, emotionally charged journey in sound. Showing love to the Detroit greats, but recognising the distinct UK influence which made him fall in love with Techno in the early 90's, it's a surprising pivot in Dennis' sound and one which all lovers of beautiful, melodic ambient techno should enjoy.

Influx is the techno/acid/trance moniker of James Bernard. With his first release in 1993 (Braineater EP on Sapho Records), Influx is no stranger to techno and acid. This project had been in hibernation for nearly 14 years until his 2021 remixes for his collaborative album with 36 and awakened souls (The Other Side of Darkness). Revel Dub is a dub-techno excursion with sprinkles of ambient and psy-trance rounding out the frequencies. The Slow Version dials back the tempo to half-time and travels to more ambient dub territories.