Back catalogue: Techno (Alles)

Review: For its seventh release, southern Italians Obscura Music return to welcome exciting new talents and core label acts. Head honchos Agents Of Time venture down an electro route with "East Coast", as do the ever impressive London Modular Alliance on the hypnotic "Buck One". Man of the moment Aussie Jensen Interceptor channels classic Drexciyan aesthetics on "Manix" before homeboys and label staples Hiver come through with the slinky and hypnotic tech house of "Stasys" and Detroit veteran Kris Wadsworth makes a surprising appearance with some slow burning minimalism displayed on closer "Abroad".

Review: Coeur De Glace on DKO Records (DKO 34) delivers four fantastic electro tracks, each with unique influences and directions. Side-1 kicks off with Binary Digit's 'U Want Dis,' an exuberant, high-energy track that pays homage to old-school rave with its lively vocal samples. Fasme's 'Morning' follows, blending smooth electro with soft keys and a whimsical AFX melody for a perfect combination. Side-2 features GGGG's 'La Cueillette,' a feel-good, fun and melodic electro tune. The EP concludes with Mud Deep & Sans-Qui's 'Mesonyx,' offering IDM goodness reminiscent of Rephlex, Squarepusher, and AFX. Coeur De Glaceis a vibrant and diverse collection, sure to delight fans of electro and techno.

Review: Furthur Electronix's first two Furthur Journeys Into compilations tune plenty of heads and shift plenty of copies. The third one keeps the quality levels high with more explorations around the periphery of underground electronics. Chris Coco opens with a soothing synth sound before Jake Slazenger brings crystalline synths and abstract modulations to the mid-tempo '168B.' There is more pace and twisted acid energy to Global Goon's untitled contribution and then old school jungle comes to the fore on the super stylish and atmospheric Gavin Masih cut. Monika Subrtova's 'Alata' is a serene and widescreen ambient synthscape that brings things to a suitably poignant close.

Review: It's five up for the Future Tones label and taking charge for this latest 12" is Jorge Gamarra feat Ecstatic. Gamarra has been featured on plenty of different labels up to now, always with quality levels remaining high. Nothing changes here as 'Tricky' kicks off with a bit of tech house intrigue - unresolved loops and freaky sounds. 'Illapa' is a more dark and turbulent space-tech workout and 'Universe' then bumps on big drums with taught synths and 90s motifs while closer '52598' spins out on bleeps and warped pads that are heart of the dance floor perfection.

Review: To mark the passing of three decades since he established the now iconic Environ imprint, Morgan Geist has decided to reissue the label's long-deleted debut 12" - a solo EP that was just his second release. At the time, Geist had yet to develop the disco-leaning but naturally synth-heavy trademark sound he's become renowned for. Instead, he was investigating the stargazing potential of Detroit-influenced techno and jacking-but-spacey house. Check first the lightly bleep techno influenced excellence of 'Sands' and the more driving, upbeat and jacking 'Airpour', before diving deeply into the percussively rich deep techno wonder of 'Smear'. To complete the package, we get a suitably cosmic, pitched down ambient techno revision of the same track by The Connection Machine - back then a duo who had just released a fine EP on Planet E.

Review: Russian label Samizdat follows up its notable first release with a second 12", this time from Genning. It is classy and sophisticated outing all the way with this one as opener 'Stair To The Sky's Rooftop' soon sets you off on a trip to the stars with its slick rhythms and glistening celestial chords. 'Window To The Dub' follows more of a tech house template with loopy drums and bass that rumble up and down and 'Summer Lighting' then zones you out on some lovely pads and frictionless drums. Last off all is 'Mystic Lakes' which takes off on balmy pads and plump, cuddly but dynamic drums.

Review: Gesloten Cirkel was hero worshipped for a whole by hardcore techno nerds and for good reason. Years after his time in the spotlight he continues to turn out cutting edge techno sounds. 'Cryformechicago' has and old school Windy Cit house feel but with more muscular drums, 'Pkbday' then cuts loose on broken beats and frosted synths for another world. 'GPU_Didit' (Turbo mix) is tightly coiled and loopy, fractious and relentless and 'Detoon' rounds out with the EP highlight - a big, bold electro stomper with fizzing textures and real machine soul.

Review: Gilbert's Astral Harmonics, released on the esteemed Distant Worlds label, is a standout addition to the techno landscape, showing the label's commitment to quality over quantity with only it's 13th release in the last 8 years. The EP opens with 'Lost Frequency,' a track defined by its tight bass and precise rhythm programming. The production is top-notch, with futuristic accents and expertly layered melodies that create a crisp, engaging sound. 'Quantum Echoes' follows on Side 1, offering a slower, electro groove that flirts with downtempo and ambient elements. The track's beautiful, almost magical melody gives it a serene, otherworldly quality, making it a perfect blend of genres that stands out in its subtlety. Side-2 kicks off with 'Earthscapes,' a unique fusion that combines the energy of broken drum and bass with melodic inspiration drawn from both Detroit and UK techno. The track's great bassline and rich atmosphere push the boundaries of techno, offering a refreshing sound that actually pushes the envelope of techno. The EP concludes with 'Particle Drift,' an ambient techno piece that feels like a nod to the greats of the genre. Reminiscent of artists like B12, Stasis, Future Beat Alliance, Derek Carr, John Shima, and As One, this track provides a soothing, contemplative end to the journey, wrapping up the record with a sense of calm and introspection. Astral Harmonics succeeds due to Gilbert's ability to craft intricate, boundary-pushing techno, and Distant Worlds' dedication to curating exceptional releases. One of the smoothest techno records out this year.

Review: Throughout his mythical and somewhat enigmatic music career as an electro specialist, Gerald Donald has been prone to an alias or two. The Drexciya co-founder and co-member has released music as Arpanet, Japanese Telecom, Dataphysix and, more recently as Heinrich Muller, but this one EP he released as Glass Domain has been near impossible to find pretty much since its 1991 release date. The Clone connection is string with Donald, and the Dutch powerhouse has managed to both remaster and reissue this holy grail of Detroit electro. We're not going to describe these tracks to you, because they are above that; they're remnants of a movement that has influenced how we listen and dance to music nowadays, and they should be on every serious dance collector's shelf. Foundational Detroit electro that will be played by generations on end. Vitally recommended.

Review: Greyhouse was the first of many aliases adopted by Dutch DJ/producer Marcel Hol. In the late 80's the first signs of 90's optimism and euphoria started. Marcel was young, creative and ambitious because he got his hands on some new equipment like the sampler. Electronic music was within reach. Greyhouse landed a recording contract with Hip Hop Records, a dance label founded by Erik Van Vliet based in Rotterdam. In 1989 he released his debut single "Move To The Groove / New Beats The House." Renaat Vandepapeliere from R & S Records cleverly spotted the record's potential. re-releasing it with "New Beats The House" as the A-side With this new exposure the song became one of the biggest hits of a New Beat sub-genre called Hard Beat.

Review: Organic Analogue makes it to double figures with a sublime new split EP from HVL and Gacha Bakradze. The A-side is opened up with 'Infinitesimal', a stripped back and icy bit of minimal dub techno, then 'AgneffC01' gets more rhythmically physical with scattered beats and hits and 'Collective Genius' is tense, kinetic techno with a real sense of paranoia. 'Routes' is the first B-side joint with Gacha Bakradze bringing some direct but economical drum machine grooves under meticulous percussion and then 'Chain' layers smeared cosmic pads with twitchy details and 'Widow' ends with a heavy heart. No wonder, then, that a host of eminent DJs like Ben UFO are all over it.

Review: In pandemic times of telepresences and social distancing, Live At Robert Johnson and Leipzig's own Riotvan team up for a magical musical mission. Encompassed by the graphic design of Michael Satter & Panthera Krause, each of the five tracks has been created by teams representing both label crews and their environs, rendering a truly synergetic effort. A1 is Roman Flugel & Rebolledo producing deep and wide Star Stuff with arpeggiated bass riffs, haunting vocals and melody. A2 sees Jennifer Touch & Chinaski setting off on an electroid Synth-Pop trip, with crafty 1980s synths, drums and vocals. A3 is New Hook and Perel teaming up for a Cosmic Disco tinged track, featuring unique spanish-english vocals. The flipside kicks off with Fort Romeau & Panthera Krause on B1, heavily into a stereophonic and proper Italo soundscape. Horkheimer & Peter Invasion & Gregor Habicht conclude the EP on B2 with a wicked technoid Breakbeat along a modulating bass line and, yeah, a looney laugh befitting these crazy times.

Review: The Reflektor is a lesser known alias of U.S. based producer Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker, aka The Abstract Eye/Gifted & Blessed. Some of you may have heard his release under this moniker on Kyle Hall's Wild Oats label a little while back. Technoindigenous Studies serves as a platform for his many alter egos and side projects with this new EP titled Taino, a tribute to his own indigenous Caribbean ancestors. Whether it's the heady electro sounds of opening cut 'Bajacu' (Morning Light) on the A side, or the mesmerising deep techno cut 'Mucaro' (Night Owl) on side B, or the introverted late night computer funk of 'Karaya' (Moon) - this is what makes Gifted & Blessed what it is

Review: If it feels like we've been waiting a minute for some fresh material from the ever-excellent Roger Geressen, then the wait has been worth it as he gifts us this exemplary extended EP which borders on mini-album territory. The Dutch producer has evolved his sound in subtle ways over the years, but his affinity for mellow atmospheres abounds on this drop for Chapelle XIV, leading in with the relaxed broken beat machine soul of 'Other Dimensions' before switching into the more heads-down roll of 'Oceans Of Ganymede' and 'Solar Flare's winsome synth lines and snappy electro rhythm section. 'Future Visions' continues the exploration of broad melodic vistas and 'Moons Of Mercury' goes in hard on the delays for shimmering results. 'User Interface' completes the picture with a perfect sign off on this refined and immersive six-tracker from an artist you know you can trust.

Review: From Quebec, With Love is the first EP from SLEAZY, a project from Stacy Boudreault (Marie Davidson) and Sam Paquette (Ginger Breaker). An ode to the rural and suburban Quebec experience, SLEAZY is the progenitor of Suburban Techno.

SLEAZY made their recorded debut in April 2017 with the single Que Calor, released as a limited edition cassette at a party headlined by Helena Hauff in Montreal. Described by NPR as "...equal parts inviting and menacing" and Pitchfork as "playful and sensual... music made for the family home's basement - a soundtrack for all the salacious discoveries one might make in that damp, dark incubator."