The Abstract Acid series continues its exploration into the depths of acid with a relentless 303 assault from UK-based machine operator, Mantra – four rugged tracks of distorted, crackling beats and low slung bass lines that are just crying out to be ripped through the speakers of a dark, filthy warehouse.
The Forest is the debut release from Pal +. The two tracks on The Forest demonstrate Pal+ to already be in possession of a fully formed sound notable for its disregard for standing still. The Stottifield vacuum of grainy textures that permeate the opening moments of “The Forest” are soon engulfed by the orchestrated light of the track in full flight, while “Inside” is a constantly shifting mass of jacking drums and deranged key stabs. The mysterious German duo Snuff Crew are commissioned to remix the title track, and they turn in a suitably grubby rework with killer staccato drums, the end result being a vastly different vibe to the original cut.
New release by Aiken on M_Rec Limited. Aiken kicks off with a pounding sequence of drum loops and eerie tones. “First Balance” is a smudgy mixture of muffled acid sounds and progressive melodies, while “Second Balance” introduces a heads-down beat laden with rainy chords and sparse hi-hats. The Regis remix sees the Birmingham techno king stamp his signature percussion style over a distant blend of melting pads and tripped-out atmospherics. “Third Balance” finishes things off with a more up-tempo arrangement of beats, tied together with a skipping, paranoid synth stab. Warehouse techno.
The Third Side, formed of Steffi and Lucretio & Marieu of The Analogue Cops, whet the appetites for their forthcoming debut album together with the Unity Remixes EP which casts Blawan, Nightjars and Steffi herself with remixing the ubiquitous “Unity.” The raw, repetitive, lo-fi and beat down rhetoric synonymous with Restoration is naturally deep in the DNA of “Unity”, a rather gravelly sounding subaqueous techno cut, while Blawan’s juggernaut drum triggering is as foundation worrying as his new productions on that Black Sun 12″. On the flip Steffi lays down a smoothed out variant of the original’s abrasive nature and Nightjars take it in exactly the opposite direction with a demented, smudged out remix.
A Sagittariun takes the reins on this recent Elastic Dreams joint. “Wind Tunnel” kicks off making concentric, rubbery movements across an icy dancefloor. The percussion and rhythmic elements fizz like potassium in water across the wax while a thin, nagging acid line infiltrates the cerebrum withouth resistance. “Cyrranus 247” continues the concentric, mind-mangling nature of this EP. Taking an eternity to drop, but building up wooden layers of synth power and hypnotic arps in one of those track that have us salivating at the bit, just screaming for it to drop. Talk about tension and release – this has it all. And again, the sound palette sets this producer quadrants ahead of the rest. “West Of Ophiuchus” has a broken beat with thin, snappy electro snares. Its not far from a Drexciyianexploration expect this time we’re exploring space rather than the aquatic realms.
Blawan and The Analogue Cops have teamed up once again, this time to put out the first release on their new label Parassela. The trio are renowned for being staunch advocates of vinyl and have therefore decided to make Parassela a strictly analogue affair, only producing limited pressings of each release on hand written white labels. This debut EP reflects perfectly the stripped back aesthetic that has been created for the label, raw and atmospheric analogue sounds that require no flair in presentation to pack a full punch.
‘Lucy’ the double A side is dedicated to a special one, near and dear to him and has quite an epic flowing sub-aquatic groove.
Simon Weiss with his first solo EP for Rush Hour. With his ‘Wave EP’ Simon delivers a tasteful and fun package, four house tracks that ride the thin line between retro and current, without trying to sound like either one.
Andy Vaz on Delsin house series. He serves up two versions of the same track ‘Don’t Lose Your Mind’. Both feature the sweet vocal stylings of Niko Marks and the first, the Soul Version, is all ditty, bouncy chords, floating, summery saxophone lines and warm, effusive synths. The second House Dub mix is a little sharper – the claps cut through the soupy sonics like a knife and as a result the groove has a more urgent bite. Still stuffed with plenty of human loveliness, though, both tracks are surely set for many spins this summer given their classy feel good vibes.
Malcolm Moore’s Altered Moods imprint comes through with the self styled “deep as fuq” Loves All Right EP featuring contributions from Dubbyman, Amir Alexander and Mr Done! The well respected Dubbyman marks his debut production on Altered Moods with the sublime “Love’s All Right”- a track naturally brimming with his signature jazzy touches and lolloping beat down groove. It’s complemented by an altogether housier remix from Above Smoke who does a superb job in cloaking elements of Dubbyman’s original production in a hazy sheen deep beneath an infinitely rise rasp of a groove. Turn over and Mr Done! Aka Mr Moore gently rolls out a melange of widescreen chords and shimmering pads over the ever rippling rhythmic snap of drums that drives “Diamond” forward, whilst Amir Alexander wins the prize for the most apt title on “Woozy!” a tightly wound driving house track whose undulating textures will cause travel sickness.
First release on new label from Trackmode Recordings- TMR Essentials. This label will focus on new deeper releases. Euphonic Moods EP by Brett Dancer, is the first release from the label boss since 2006, and nothing but deepness on this slice of vinyl. V2 forces the boundaries of tech and house as it builds to climax, atmospheric bliss with this! Space is simply rhythmatic integration, beats and chords, driving bass, get ready to move. The lost is very reminiscing of the early 90’s groove with a millennium twist, bouncing bass melodic chords, call and response vocals, end result classic!
Harbour City Sorrow release Marco Bernardi’s Never Ending Similarities EP, featuring three electro-techno tracks.
This is a re-release of Mick Wills “Scoop VII” from 2005. Phil E remastered this gem and released it on vinyl. A rough, rugged and raw techno blueprint.
With Phantom Planet in disarray, three unlikely heroes form an alliance to overthrow the oppressive Muscle Patrol. Meet mythical rebellion leader ‘The Forsh’, fearsome former Patrol agent ‘Bin Man’, and mysterious smuggler ‘The Red Defender’. These are the Phantom Planet Outlaws!
‘In Memory of Nick Hardie’
Bare-boned Techno jak trax from the crypticall encoded MPIA3. ‘War To The Planets’ shackles discordant acid and bludgeoning kicks on the A-side and ‘Casual Wedding’ pumps overdriven kicks and spiralling synth grot on the flip.
The second Bleak release on Deeply Rooted House. DJ Deep: “I have been very impressed with Bleak’s talent and how he can combine different styles of techno and still produce very personal music. Each track, in my opinion, has a life of it’s own, it starts in a certain way, and takes you to different places. The arrangements are very subtle, sometimes hypnotic, very intense and emotional, the way the drums evolve and drive the tracks, or how deep chords apear in the back ground taking the track to a differrent territory etc. I hope you’ll like this 12” as much as I do!’
Developer presents the second installment of the Developer Archive series, featuring four raw Techno/House tracks.
