Ukrainian producer Vakula, whose name is linked to the early days of Arma, re-emerges with Techno Game. The double vinyl features seven confidently-carved tracks that reflect Vakula’s current exploration of techno landscapes. As the cover suggests, it is a game. The author does little to nothing to explain the rules, throwing the listener into an elegantly structured space that feels alarmingly material.
Over the last 10 years Token Records has grown steadily, both in size and stylistic breadth. The aptly-titled Momentum comes as a celebration of the close-knit family of artists amassed throughout the label’s running. The record is a fitting collaborative project, with every track on the album produced by two longstanding and well-respected artists from the label’s roster and especially commissioned for the release. This type of collaboration is intended to showcase the specific sound of the label, developed through 10 years of careful curation, as well as bringing out the individual identities of the artists involved.
New chapter on Nonnative series. New Semantica artists Cosmin TRG, Samuli Kemppi, Opuswerk and Refracted featuring Nonnative 09.
CPU’s homage to the Roland TR-808, the drum machine ubiquitous on binary imprint. CPU label boss Chris Smith has meticulously rebuilt the drum tracks of classic electro funk records known for their pioneering and influential use of the 808. Strictly for DJs and MCs, this is an essential tool for remixing, looping or laying vocals over. Cut loud and ready for battle.
San Francisco label Left Hand Path’s latest record is a contemporary techno opus, featuring four tracks, each with a distinct sound and feel, designed to set off a dancefloor and invigorate your stereo. Cool dripping Electro cuts from Johnny Igaz aka Nackt.
Bitterfeld is most known for their production of drain-pipes, paper-roofing and it’s amazing chemical production industry but it’s a little known fact that Bitterfeld are also responsible for the production of amazing music. Some 900 years after the city’s foundation they’ve finally found the time to establish a music label to reflect the city’s rich musical heritage. The first release comes from Guy Contact. Expect chemical influenced electro, acid and house.
Future Primitive is back with an immersive new LP from CN, whose approach to electro comes loaded with analog fuzz and a wistful vision of science-fiction sounds. Originally a cassette release on Wil-Ru Records in 2011 ”The Expedition Beyond” is a musical narrative that chronicles the astral travels of a star-craft and it’s crew through the outer reaches of the Galaxy. 10 tracks of cosmic acid funk, drifty nebulous synth-scapes and robo-centric electro.
Geat electro compilation out of the city of Leipzig. Tracks by Robyrt Hecht & XY0815, Varum, Perm and Credit 00.
CPU and dance music’s polymath Neil Landstrumm share a love for classic bleep techno, hence Landstrumm has brought to the table four superb reminders of the criminally short lived genre. With spine tingling melodies reminiscent of 808 State’s best work, and sub-bass worthy of LFO’s bass-bin shaking reputation – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon perfectly encapsulates not only Landstrumm’s influences but also his deep seated love for bleep. A labour of love which the Sheffield based imprint has been only all too happy to encourage and hopes will keep the genre alive for generations to come.
The third self released EP by mysterious Transilmania. Expect lots of Lfo’s.
New York City based Further Reductions is the live project from husband and wife Shawn (aka Vapauteen, 400ppm, Let Er Est) and Katie O’Sullivan (aka Rose E Kross, ppG). Back in 2014 they released their gorgeous debut album on Cititrax records. The album was an adventurous trip, where they pushed forward a unique sound. After all those years there will be a follow up to this EP on Knekelhuis. Expect a fusion of different sounds, grimy and pretty at the same time.
Enter the Dragon. Adding mystique to the techno are these pulsating, arpeggiated, snarling beasts from the Italian producer with an ominous-sounding remix by Heinrich Mueller aka Gerald Donald of Drexicya. Track titles refer to the journeys of the Sky Dragon (A1), Yellow Dragon (A2) and Dragon King (B1/B2) as they soar and serpentine majestically underwater and beyond the clouds.
The second release from Hamtramck, Michigan’s Portage Garage Sounds is an acid/ambient EP by Detroit’s Bill Spencer and Zachary Saginaw (also known as Shigeto), featuring narration by Walter Williams (also known as ZelooperZ).
Highly anticipated full length album by Australian producer DyLAB. Heavy duty analogue acid and techno with a distorted and sometimes industrial edge. Some lengthy tracks that are made to play in your car and drive 140.
Five different moods from five different minds. The first various artist compilation features five gems that will provide pleasure infinitely.
Driving the tractor from the very south of Sweden to the more juicy lands of watermelon. Its going to make you sweat and it’s going to make you smell. Get ready for this muddy trance dance.
To date, each volume in Africa Seven’s thrilling Africa Airways compilation series has been little less than essential. It goes without saying that this fourth installment is also exceptionally good. Whereas previous volumes have focused on Afro-funk and “Afro-psych” (think Sly Stone, Nigerian style), this set drills down into African disco-funk released between 1976 and ’83. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the solo-laden, slap bass-boasting bounce of Tala AM’s “Get Up Tchamassi” and Charly Kingson’s squelchy, synth-laden Blaxploitation number “Nimele Bolo”, to the righteous, piano-driven thrills of Kemayo and K-System’s brilliant “Biram” and the superior boogie business of Jake Sollo’s “Tinini Yasana”.
Plugged into the mainframe of the power station, Antonio returns to the label with a barrage of loner panzer funk and mechanised thrash metal from the shadows of Frankfurt’s industrial district. It’s a record fed and nurtured among copper coils, rusted voltage boxes, plasma and ionised sweat coming out to breathe among power surges and industrial smog. Four tracks from the heat of the machine. A total submission to your new electrical system.
Another excursion for the genre independent Borft label. Celebrated artist Obergman delivers a six tracker record for fans of acid and electro. The release is initiated with the drexciyan styled electro track “Germination” with occasional strings that brings some light in the atmosphere of desolate landscapes, followed by the groovy electrotech melodic track “Unexpected Connection” The acid techno workout “Acid Healing” slowly builds with sweet melodic strings into floorfilling potential while the B-side begins with “Inflatable”. A Bass ridden driving acid techno track with ominous melodic stabs that works well when doing a build-up mix into more frenzy territory. The b2 track “Greenglow” explores rocking acid lines bonded by delicate smooth detroit styled strings. Last track of the record, “Universal Hologram”, is a strong beautiful electro track with great electric pulses, melancholic atmosphere and subtle strings.
