Back in stock: Techno

Review: Talented LA producer 1morning makes his debut on the well regarded Character label here and brings plenty of the know how he has picked dup while laying down his superb vinyl DJ sets around the world. He fuses new school funky and tribal techno with subtle hints that suggest he has a love of 90s originators like Ben Sims and Dave Angel. 'Samba De Verao' is a dense, high intensity sound with skewed synths and dusty hi hats while 'Flux' is more deep and has throbbing drums and smeared pads fleshing out the groove. On the flip are two more emotionally intense and fantastically engaging techno cuts.

Review: Parallel is the fourth EP by Altinbas on his own label, Observer Station. The beats are pounding and rough for those strong advocates who like their techno tough. The gold in 'Tide' is found in the ever-changing percussion elements that propel it to addiction. For the second side, 'MT15' keeps things moving, employing key rave claps and a nice ride to the support the pulsating driver. Lastly, the title track takes some edge of tension with a great balance of melody over the mechanical loop. Hats off to Altinbas for taking the 90s warehouse techno sound and updating it while still paying homage to it.

Review: The talented Greek duo Artificial DRM - already renowned for their contributions to Koslif, De Stijl and Semantica Records - come through for the sixth Alpengluhen release. 'Enigma' is a curious experimental, IDM and ambient release, neither settling for out-and-out categorisability nor giving up the danceable ends of things and happily resting in the crosstalk between genres. All circling around similar tempi but with some variation therein, these four unnamed tracks reveal themselves, together with their textural details, only as slowly as a desert landscape might reveal itself to a parched wanderer; only through somatic repetitions, such as endless walking, panting, and squinting - compare these to deep listening and/or uninterrupted turntable playing - might we make out the mirages or fata morgana through the horizontal heat haze.

Review: It's been a while since we've heard from Moroccan breakbeat favourite and Convergence Records founder Kosh, but he's back with a bang on none other than everybody's favourite Atlantean, underwater-breathing, acid trance house everything kru - Kalahari Oyster Cult. 'The Chopper' EP spans everything from Drexciyan kitsch-lectro to to floaty tech house trance to sillily verbatim breakbeat, ending on a hilarious high note with the timestretching, disc-scratching, stadium-ready rave rampage 'Come On'.

Review: Jay Lumen remains a true titan of Hungarian techno, continually pushing a sound which happily gorges on psy and trance elements without losing that all-important big room thrust. On the latest single for his Footwork Audio label, 'Universe' toys with big synth strokes and high emotional stakes peppered with incredible sound design flair before the explosive drop, while 'Grooveride' rolls out on a funked up undercarriage and incisive rave stabs. 'Ode To Earth' is another gargantuan, throbbing monster of tech-trance and 'Once Again' channels a bit of high-pressure Midwest intensity alongside the gnarly modernist elements which make his releases so potent in the dark techno zeitgeist.

Review: Positivesource unveils a thrilling new chapter here with Berlin-based producer Regent's brilliantly eclectic new Aphid Riot EP. Having contributed several previous releases to this label, Regent's anthemic tracks have become staples in DJ sets by label founders Blue Hour and Philippa Pacho. The EP kicks off with the hypnotic 'Occult,' featuring infectious bass-lines and blissful atmospherics then 'Khmera' follows in the form of a relentless percussive anthem with nostalgic vocals. 'Aphid Riot' brings bold UK flavours and mashes up vocals, breakbeats, and classic basslines then a 'broken' version of 'Aphid Riot' brings things to a close with a more introspective take. Regent's versatility is on full show here,

Review: Mikkel Rev presents UTE 013, a captivating sonic journey through the realms of trance music. This four-track EP on the Norwegian label UTE. REC showcases the artist's versatility and mastery of the genre. 'Zygo' pulsates with a frenetic energy, its psychedelic trance rhythms evoking an otherworldly sci-fi ambiance. 'Tone Control' leans towards Goa trance, its alien basslines and science fiction aesthetics creating a gripping narrative. For the second side, 'Whorl' offers a more uplifting and ethereal experience, transporting listeners to vast cosmic spaces. The piece of wax concludes with 'Tension', a 90s-style German techno track that showcases Rev's ability to fuse classic elements with modern innovation. Overall, a very strong window into a current artist's views of the history of the genre.

Review: Hailing from Spain's Non Series label, Ritmo Oscuro' offers a diverse techno exploration. Sciahri / Conceptual join forces to delve deep into the title track and evolve it enough to make alternate versions stand on their own. The original track oozes sci-fi ambiance with its heavy beat and eerie atmosphere. 'Ritmo Oscuro 2' shifts towards a more aggressive, energy-building tech sound. LDS' remix brings broken beats and distinctive sound effects. Finally, 'Ritmo Oscuro 3' transports listeners to the 90s with its ravey, linear techno. If you are looking for some percussive, sci-fi techno then look no further then this.

Review: 2023 was a knockout year for Portuguese artist Temudo, taking in techno totems like Blueprint, Klockworks and Hayes in pursuit of his driving, sharply-focused sound. Now he lands on Italian label Sublunar with more of that refined, precision engineered gear for the wormhole crew. 'U Where My Second Choice' is a taut, edgy workout with a nagging synth hook, but 'Asset 2' ratchets down to a pure, heady locomotion which will take you tunnelling deep into the night. '2029' has a restrained funk which will work the body good and proper, and 'Affection' simmers down to a minimal palette peppered with pointed blips moving in expertly sequenced formations - smart techno at its finest.

Review: There is no messing about on this ninth transmission from the Neighbourhood label, which comes from the studio of Yant and is comprised of well designed tool-like techno cuts that pack a serious punch. 'Broken Strings' is a linear pile drive with warped, twisted synth sounds peeling off the groove, while 'The Stunter' is stripped back to a lithe rhythm and more smooth synth details that dance up top. 'Conquering' again gets more ragged and raw with edgy, unresolved loops and some massive hi hats while last of all it is 'Lost Hours' that melts the mind with its sublime and subliminal mix of drums and synth.