Back catalogue: Techno (Alles)

Review: There is no messing when it comes to the techno served up by Umwelt's essential Rave Or Die. Over the course of 14 previous EPs the label has dropped rib-rattling, brain boggling bangers aimed squarely at the floor. This time out the boss himself steps up with Ancient Methods with each providing one solo track. This one comes on limited 10" picture disc so is an extra special one to add to the collection Ancient Methods's 'Accept Light' is a harshly textured industrial banger and Umwelt's 'Shades of Security' is just as caustic and hard edged.

Review:  There is a reason Mark Broom is still so revered in techno circles after all these years. He has a knack for sound design and crafting such powerful kicks that his tunes are always irresistible to both DJs and dancers. He offers up two more high grade weapons here for the second release on Beard Man. First is the maximal minimalism of the bendy 'Loop 132' with its glitchy hits and undulating synths, then comes the more driving and uplifting dub techno banger 'Loop 131.' The titles of these tunes make you wonder just how many of these this man has sitting on his computer ready to go.

Review: Mutual Rytm deals in proper techno that does the basics well and doesn't worry about modern fads. 'Surface' is the standout here - it has brilliantly bubbly synths rippling in sync with the hunched drums and bold bass notes. It works perfectly on both head and body and so does 'Blush' though with a more sleek, straight-ahead groove and minimal percussion over the echoing claps. 'Grainy' shuts down with another stylish techno bent and confirms Dold to be a vital voice in the current underground.

Review: Greyscale unveils its latest endeavour, the Spectrum Series, as a way to continue to evolve its offerings and this time it is with something that makes a vibrant departure from its traditional black-and-white aesthetic. The inaugural release features the iconic Lithuanian dub track 'Kasdienybes Sventykla' by grad_u & Eazystyle MC as a way of commemorating its 15th anniversary. It came as a double CD in 2011 but now gets a first vinyl pressing on a nice 10" slab of wax. The track itself taps into the earliest roots of dub in the 70s and traces a line through the 80s with its heavyweight drums and endlessly echoing bass topped by great mic work. A pared-back instrumental features on the flip of this latest crucial drop from the dub dons at Greyscale

Review: 400, 10" marbled pink, hand stamped, individually numbered records, single press only.

Review: Who doesn't love it when new Legowelt music drops? The Dutch is one of the most prolific producers in the game but he never sounds the same from one record to the next. This time out he lands on Hotmix with a two-track 10" that kicks off with 'DRUMCOMPUTER GLORY.' It's a warped track with acid tinges, mirky synths, weird vocal samples and jacked-up drums that are raw and proudly old school. On the flip side is 'CASIO CTK630 HOMEKEYBOARD', a snaking groove with hissing hi-hats and more smeared, smudgy synths that make for an unusual but alluring atmosphere.

Review: Two decades deep into his career and still pushing forward, this seasoned German DJ delivers something that feels both timeless and fresh. The original version of 'Kingston Riddim' is a smooth, sun-soaked affair. Drawing from island dub but built with a crisp, modern hand, the track is full of warm organic textures and laid-back swing. The chords are clean and expressive without feeling too polished. There's a breezy confidence to the groove that makes it feel effortless. It's the kind of track that could slip into any set and feel right at home. Sato's interpretation dives into deeper territory. The bass rolls in thick and heavy while the chords get more tangled and echo-laced. There's a submerged quality here, like the track has been dragged through deeper waters. It's moodier than the original but still carries that same rooted sense of rhythm. This is one of those rare records where both sides hit in different but equally effective ways.

Review: Whoever is behind these STEDIT drops is striking upon pure gold, bringing a legitimately underground techno crunch to the pop edit practice. Having previously tackled the likes of Brandy & Monica and Ultra Nate, now two of the biggest pop divas of all time are getting some low down and dirty reworkings which tread the fine balance between earworm familiarity and the heads down moodiness of a locked-in dancefloor. 'Slow' becomes a slippery acid abstraction peppered with all kinds of sonic freakery, while 'Justify My Love' becomes a brooding, steadfast workout tipped towards the minimal crowd.

Review: An up and coming producer and more known for his dub techno roots, Stojche shifts gears with three tracks of futuristic techno. Bringing a harder, more pounding techno sound to Mutual Rytm, the title track, 'Stomping Ground', hits with catchy chords and a strong, dancefloor-ready rhythm, complete with infectious hooks that keep energy levels high. Side-2 begins with 'Oberheim' a percussive, melodic builder with a heavy beat that captivates with its addictive groove and some gorgeously dynamic layering. The EP closes with 'Consequence', a spacey, floaty track that lays beats over a shimmering, providing an outstanding end to a great release.

Review: With roots in electro, hip-hop, house and techno, you can never quite be sure what Orlando Voorn will serve up next. On this top-notch ten-inch single - his first for NOUN - he's in full on techno mode, puffing out his chest and striding confidently towards peak-time dancefloors. The legendary Dutch producer first offers up 'Infinite Voyage', a slamming, warehouse-ready workout that wraps buzzing, mutant electronic lead lines and star-fall around stomping beats and booming bass. On 'Straight UP' he opts for darker, bolder, stabbing bass, alien-sounding bleeps, jazzy synth stabs, heady aural textures and another tough-as-teak drum track.