Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Released by a Kyiv-based label run by Noizar, this EP serves up a potent mix of minimal and tech house with futuristic flair. On Side-A, 'Ease Your Mind' by Borys offers a mesmerising minimal groove, blending techy, robotic beats with funky, spacey elements. The track's otherworldly vibe creates a hypnotic atmosphere, perfect for both laid-back and deep dancefloor moments. On Side B, 'Los Demeteros"' by Yzer is a heavy stomper, featuring a crunchy bassline that drives the track forward. The eerie, alien melodies lend an unsettling, yet quality to the track, making it feel both futuristic and rooted in the past. The dynamic composition of 'Los Demeteros' draws listeners into its depth, while maintaining a solid, danceable energy throughout. This release is a stunning journey through minimal and electro-techno, showcasing the unique sound of Kyiv's underground scene.

Review: Satya deals in a certain brand of deep house that is dreamy and organic. It's perfect for the cosier dancefloors out there, the more heady crowds who don't need big drops and samples to get their musical thrills. If you are one of those people then get your ears around this superb new various artists 12". YokoO & Zone+ offer one of the standouts with 'Once I Had It"]' which pairs subtly swirling pads with cuddly deep drum loops. Hermanez has his kickstand with a little more weight but they are no less hypnotic, while Moya (US) brings some enchanting strings and yawning vocals to 'Meliora' and Electricano keeps it nice and warm and liquid with the supple loops of 'Universal Language.'

Review: Yukihiro Fukutomi is perhaps the most lauded Japanese electronic artist and has been gaining plaudits since the mid 90s for his own particular brand of house music. Ewan Pearson was so moved by Fukutomi's 2009 cover version of Marshall Jefferson's "Open Our Eyes" that it featured on his heavyweight mix for Kompakt. That cover version should not be confused with "Open Your Eyes", the A Side on this classy excursion into vintage Chicago sounds from Fukutomi under his Foog alias. It's a brilliantly acid tinged retro jacker that builds and dips in all the right places, with the mid section roll of crashing hi-hats a particular delight."Grey Matters" adopts a similarly future retro sound on the B Side with KiNK-esque 808s aplenty.

Review: Purple Print Records Compilation 3 is a rich exploration of minimal and tech house, bringing unique textures and groovy rhythms to the forefront. Side-1 opens with He Did's 'Mientras Tanto', a fun and infectious groove. The track's deep, rolling bassline and lively percussion make it an instant mood-setter. Following is DeWaal's 'Iceshade', a bouncy, upbeat track that balances playful energy with a steady, deep tech groove. Side-2 moves further into introspective territory with Raz's 'Rora', a smooth and melodic track that drifts along effortlessly, blending subtle harmony with a deeper bassline. Yama Music's 'In My Space' rounds out the collection with a broken beat approach, delivering techy, spacious vibes that add depth and variety to the mix. Altogether, this compilation is a refined showcase of tech house cuts that'll resonate with dancefloor times.

Review: The debut album from Ukrainian collective Noneside unites musicians and visual artists under the inspiring words of poet Taras Shevchenko, who said 'Make love, o dark-browed ones.' Framed by a painting from contemporary artist Iryna Maksymova, the music explores the trance and tech house that is destined to bring souls together on the dancefloor this summer and beyond. Shjva opens with fresh and mashed bass and sleek trance pads that are subtle but effective. Lostlojic layer sup deep, bubbly techno drums and bass with an angelic vocal tone and Saturated Color's 'Trancia' is a speedy, scuffed-up tech groove for late-night cruising. Peshka and Yevhenii Loi offer two more future-facing trance-techno fusions packed with feels.

Review: Six dance tracks skillfully blending old-school vibes with contemporary sounds, spanning acid, breakbeat, electro and house, inviting listeners to dream of underground raves and enigmatic gatherings where ethereal battles against soulless algorithms unfold amid nocturnal dance. Highlights include Trabuco's 'Happy Spliff, a vibrant mix of New York house and early 90s-inspired techno, setting a nostalgic yet fresh tone. Trabuco's 'Signals' follows, delivering a spacey techno experience that feels both futuristic and retro. Yepecc's 'UFO Camp' seamlessly combines electro and acid for a sci-fi romp that transports listeners to otherworldly dimensions. Kevin Kendall's 'Volca Three' stands out with its rich analogue bass, adding depth and warmth to the compilation. The album closes with Victor Reyes' 'Inspired By Nature,' which offers a cool, bouncy finale that leaves a lasting impression. Overall, The Sciences of the Artificial is a refreshing take on retro styled techno and it is perfect for those seeking a blend of nostalgic and fun.

Review: Five years in, are we any closer to working out who exactly is behind Yama Music? All we know for sure is they deal in reductionist grooves with one eye on the Berlin after hours scene, and beyond that it's all down to the music. The eighth drop in the series deals in some absolute gold, leading in with the freaky, finely chiseled beat track 'Monomeros' which sounds like it was carved from a huge tree stump and set to work propping up the dancefloor. 'Oddies' meanwhile deals in smudged and surreal sounds from the outer edges of minimal house, with some cheeky synth flex adding some colour in between cloudy pads in the middle distance and plenty of dirt on the drums. 'Hide & Seq' slips into something slinkier as a comparatively crisp, bouncing beat worms its way into your subconscious accompanied by faint wisps of late morning melodies - true magic for discerning heads at the roll-on.

Review: Yamen & EDA return after two years with a five-track offering that pushes minimalist house to its most refined form. The 'Giseigo EP' opens with 'Possibly Possible', a buoyant yet minimal track that relies on its sharp synth work and punchy rhythm to set a forward-driving tone. It's upbeat, understated, and perfectly designed to get the feet moving without needing too many layers. Then comes 'Technologie Tropicale', a funkier number, cleverly stitched together with playful sound clusters and effects that give it a quirky, infectious energy. It's a groove-heavy selection that feels tailor-made for those laid-back but still energetic sets, where simplicity wins over complexity. Flip to the B-side and 'Tournure 2000' delivers a soft, soothing melody. The beauty here is in its restraint, with just the right balance of elements to keep it light and breezy while still anchoring itself in the groove. This one's all about feel - simple yet captivating. 'Mickey Mousse' is the heavyweight of the release, with its chugging bassline and direct appeal to the dancefloor. It's a bass-driven force that stands firm without feeling overbearing. Wrapping it up is 'Clicker Of The Year', where funky basslines meet acid undertones, creating a track that plays with texture and depth without ever losing its cool. There's a laser focus on keeping things stripped-back, yet each track is detailed enough to hold its own. For anyone dialled into the nuances of minimal house, this EP has all the subtle power needed to carry a dancefloor without ever showing off.

Review: Lviv native Yaroslav M helps Chat Noir launch its newest V/A series in full force, bringing four acid house vinyl slab-segments to their so far alkaline, and thus wanting, repertoire. Somewhere in the gap between dark tech house and new-beatific trance come 'Hit It' and 'Affairs', whilst the anime namesake 'Champloo' is a comparatively bleepy one, easing up on the human side of things, and letting the automatons run their course, by way of more arpeggiations and cyberspatial FX. Finally, 'Things Between' rounds things off on a dark acidic prance-off.

Review: Yatut's Vahue EP on Minor Notes Recordings is a nostalgic journey through early 90s techno and breakbeats, capturing the essence of a vibrant era. Side-1 opens with 'Vitamin,' delivering a classic UK techno sound that transports listeners back to the golden age of rave culture. Its pulsating beats and retro vibes set the tone perfectly. Following this, 'Learn The Code' continues the homage with melodic techno reminiscent of early 90s UK scenes, blending harmonious layers with driving rhythms. Side-2 begins with 'Natural,' a standout track that fuses early 80s electro rhythms with rave elements. This unusual combination works remarkably well, creating a unique and engaging soundscape. The EP closes with 'Yokamon,' an uptempo house track interwoven with breakbeats. Its sweeping, breezy melody makes it a perfect end-of-the-night anthem, leaving listeners on a high note. Vahue EP showcases Yatut's skill in blending nostalgic influences with modern production, making this a gem for fans of classic techno and breakbeats.

Review: Martin Muller originally dropped PPPPP as a 12" on Rhythm Cult back in 2016, as youANDme was hitting a level of omnipresence in the tech house sphere. The track was always destined to be a hit, making great use of an iconic Loletta Holloway sample and strapping it to a more modern kind of club cut. Now that record is being revisited with this remix package, featuring one of the original 'Diva' mixes backed up by versions from certified legends Ian Pooley, Cinthie and Yotam Avni. With these kinds of ingredients, each version is a surefire crowdpleaser which ever particular slant you're craving, with enough production heft to move a big room as much as a basement club.

Review: Young Adults hails from The Hague and is a dizzyingly good new talent with a sound that blends breaks, and electro, techno and house into something that has been sent back from the future to make you dance. 'Healing Paradox' is an irresistible one to start - silky neon synths and scurrying bass with kinetic drum kicks. 'Gabagabagool' gets more twisted with its rumbling drums and warped leads while the David Motor City rework of 'Healing Paradox' ups the ante and is constantly shifting. The epic eight minute closer 'Therapeutic Tool' is a gargling, gurgling mix of gritty synths and raw snare patterns that never lets you settle.

Review: One Eye Witness rounds up another four acts for their periodic V/A series, spewing forth four breaks-driven whooshers crossing into progressive techno territory. The Hague duo Young Adults nod to a 1997 Loveparade anthem with 'It's Only Temporary', while breaks and kick implants converge on Christopher Ledger's 'Change That', a track which sounds like the starting firings of an interplanetary expedition pod after years of disuse. Joely brings cosmic chug on the cocooning B1 'Transitional', while the Samesame closer 'Novel End' is just that, traversing a noxious atmosphere with a flexoskeletal electro beat.

Review: Since 2016, Italian producer Younger Than Me has been a rising force with an ever-growing fan base after releasing on top labels like Bordello a Parigi, Tusk Wax and Dischi Autunno. He is someone who blends trance, breakbeat, techno, and progressive house in his own unique way and that has earned him widespread recognition alongside sets at venues like Berghain and Hor Berlin. His latest EP comes on Skylax and features six tracks including collaborations with Kiara Scuro on 'Ghost in the Rave' and remixes by Mahkina and G?eg. This is another great window into his genre-defying sounds.