Back catalogue: Techno (Alles)

Review: Dettinger's Oasis, originally released in 2000, is an ethereal symphony of ambient textures and minimal techno. Its unique blend of orchestral elements, effects, and occasional beats creates a captivating and strangely peaceful sonic landscape. Each track offers a hypnotic journey. 'Oasis #2' pulsates with a gentle rhythm, while 'Oasis #3' transforms Balearic melodies into grainy memories. 'Oasis #4' showcases Dettinger's experimental side, merging techno with abstract soundscapes, while 'Oasis 6' infuses dub influences, adding a touch of warmth and groove. The album's appeal lies in his ability to fuse the organic and the electronic. Orchestral swells soar above pulsating synths, creating a sense of drama and allure. The result is a sonic oasis that transports listeners to a realm of serenity and wonder. Fans of Wolfgang's Voigt's Gas project or labels like Mille Plateaux, Staubold, RasterNoton and others may already know this masterpiece, but if you don't, then do not miss this.

Review: Wolfgang Voigt's seminal project Gas returns with a definitive reissue of its eponymous debut album, originally released in 1996 on Mille Plateaux and now presented anew by Kompakt on a lavish 3x12 vinyl set. This release marks a long-awaited return to the pure essence of Gas, as initially envisioned by Voigt. Before this full-length debut, hints of Gas's distinctive sound surfaced through early EPs and compilation tracks, showcasing Voigt's knack for ambient electronic landscapes. Gas unfolds across six expansive, untitled tracks that drift seamlessly, each a mesmerising journey of ethereal loops and rhythmic undercurrents. Voices from distant classical motifs echo faintly, adding to the album's enigmatic allure. While later albums like Zauberberg and Konigsforst would refine and deepen the Gas aesthetic, this debut stands out for its airy, evocative mood and its more fluid, exploratory nature. It captures Gas at a moment of artistic genesis, where Voigt's sonic vision begins to crystallise amidst dreamlike textures and subtle rhythmic structures. Gas, in its reissued form, not only revisits a pivotal moment in electronic music history but also serves as a testament to Voigt's enduring influence and avant-garde spirit, setting the stage for its legendary successors.

Review: Michael Mayer's fourth album, The Floor Is Lava, arrives after an eight-year wait, following his collaborative & album on !K7. Mayer's solo output has always been selective, with each release feeling like a significant moment. His previous albums, Mantasy and Touch, were similarly spaced out, but with good reason. As the head of Kompakt and Imara, a globe-trotting DJ, and a highly sought-after remixer, Mayer wears many hats, and it's no surprise his own productions are more sporadic. Yet, this also ensures quality. His name on a record sleeve signals music that's both forward-thinking and rooted in the past, deftly balancing the demands of the dancefloor and more reflective listening. The Floor Is Lava showcases Mayer's talent for threading together genres and eras while keeping a distinct sense of purpose. Whether it's designed for late-night clubs or a contemplative listen at home, Mayer's sound continues to evolve, pushing boundaries while remaining firmly anchored in his established style. As always, his knack for combining the exploratory with the functional shines through, and this latest offering is no exception.

Review: After 32 years promoting a distinctive blend of off-kilter Cologne techno, mind-altering minimalism, ambient pop and trippy tech-house, Kompakt Records has notched up 499 releases. It makes sense, then, that the long-serving German label would be keen to mark release number 500 with something suitably special. They've done just that, offering up a lovingly produced box set that does a fantastic job of celebrating the imprint's journey to date. There are five, differently coloured discs packed with (mostly edited) versions of lesser-known early gems and Kompakt classics, plus a bonus picture disc containing 50 locked grooves, and a 100-page, 10" hardback book telling the label's story to date. It's an incredible product all told, one blessed with a host of electronic household names - The Orb, Laurent Garnier, John Tejada, DJ Koze - and deeper cut, cementing the label's status as a gamechangers and pack leaders.