DUM Records are dipping into the label boss’s production archives for the next one: it is a reissue that features tracks from a number of classic Mono Junk releases. Two came on Trope Records, one in 1995 and one in 1993, and the last pair of cuts come from 1996 when they were released on Plug Research. Arguably some of the influential Finnish producer’s finest work, all of the tracks here emphasize how long he is operating on the top of his game already.
Next up on Belfast based Titanic City we return to where it all began with a release from Martin De Brig. The first track, Agent Osman, is more rooted in Chicago than Detroit with a Jacken baseline and the highest of synth lines, The Chris Nez remix takes it a totally different direction with more of a Electro feel. On the flip, A dog called Cairo has an arpeggiated synth line that builds and builds layered with hats rides claps and snares another floor filler. On remix duties for this one are Snuff Crew.
Gary Gritness AKA Slikk Tim lands on Hypercolour with The Sugar Cane Chronicles Vol. 1. He displays a deft hand of producing futuristic funk sounds. A spot on blend of raw drum programming and blissfull jazz funk riffs, “Preachin Some Tight Game” sets the EP’s tone just right with its infectious melodies and cruising groove. Darker 1980’s soundtrack vibes are explored on “Stayin’ Strong Hand’ with its thick analogue atmosphere, whilst the laid back and freestyle vibes of Working Girls’ demands to be played in the Cadillac with the top down. EP closer, “Fly Shit”, continues with the tranquil melodies and G-Funk factor.
Portable with his first release on Rhythm Cult. ‘Reeva Numbers’ is a dusky production complete with ethereal organ chords, offbeat stabs and subtle melodies. Next, ‘Only Human’ draws from the sound of the producer’s Bodycode moniker, implementing more dancefloor-focused aesthetics with the help of shuffling rhythms, deep vocal moans and heady keys. Concluding the release, ‘Moving, Trains And You’ is the most minimal number of the package with rolling percussion, soaring pads and a heightening suspense.
The handsome twosome of Frankie Skates and Tony B. Real deliver four prime cuts aimed squarely at the dance floor. “Ebreo”, sees the duo flex their afro-rhythmic muscle, placing silky smooth bass over a bed of soft swirling percussion highlighted by a pitched down steel drum. Next, an edit first heard on Frank & Tony’s acclaimed Resident Advisor podcast comes to light. Deftly cutting the hushed ambient tones of Donato Wharton’s Absentia’ into perfect portions, Frank & Tony loop brittle bits over a chunky kick and shuffling hi-hat to hypnotic effect. The EP’s title track evokes the sun-kissed euphoria of early hour raves with its lush atmospherics and playfully subdued piano line buoyed by a thick kick and airy pads. Finally Pavane’ takes the previous track’s laid back attitude and flips it, adding a thick in-your-face kick and propulsive pads for a foot-stomping, hands in the affair DJ weapon.
The latest 12″ on Kitjen comes with super solid 004-to-the-floor vibes by Suzanne Kraft from LA.
Chicago based ‘Chris Gray’ has appeared on multiple releases throughout the 90s and the new millennium. While some of his most appreciated works have been published through his own imprint Deep4Life, for the next PULP release, Chris gets deep and melodious with some funked out synths whilst maintaining that lush deep atmosphere that has proven to be his signature mode.
Solarism is the result of a common fascination for landscapes and a passion for contemplation. For the second release Solarism welcomes Franck Roger. On A1 Franck brings a real fusion of Cosmics and classic Deep House vibes, remembering his first love with electronic music but definitely oriented to his nowaday modern vision of sounds. The melodic groove of the calimbas percussions drives you till the heart of the track and his swinging drum, to never let you go and brings you up in a neverending hypnotic mind dance. On B1, Arno E. Mathieu version push the hypnotic vibe of “Tiger in The Hood” using the original arpegiator theme, and brings the track to a deep techno level for a textured and anthemic experience. Ponctuated by a strings hit appearence and supported by a non stop heavy bass-line, the track progression brings us till a melodic synth conclusion true to Arno fusionned style…
The highly anticipated follow up to their 2013 Dream of the Walled City (OST) LP, Samo DJ and Max Stenerudh return with another far out record complete with backstory. Originally composed as an accompanying piece for artist Thomas Jeppe’s exhibition in Tehran, Iran the music contained on this release was originally pressed on extremely limited cdr’s given out for free at the exhibition. As it stands it would have been a crime to keep this music in the private sector, thus now we see an official release in long playing format here on L.I.E.S. Dream-like, full of drama, suspense and full of cinematic overtones, once again the duo of Samo and Max deliver beyond the full scope of psychedelic soundtrack madness.
Dub techno legend Konstantinos Soublis aka Fluxion is back with another album, his first since 2014’s Broadwalk Tales on Echocord. Bipolar Defect is presented by Barcelona based label Subwax Bcn and is a further exploration of Soublis’ delay drenched, smoked out and chillingly glacial soundscapes that have earned him releases on a who’s who of the niche sub genre’s finest labels such as the legendary Chain Reaction and his own Vibrant Music imprint. Highlights include the signature sounds of “Multidirectional”, “Friction Pulse” and “Stream II” which sound like soundtracks for stoned and spiritual explorations through the Arctic, while there’s some immersive and drifting affairs like “Omnibus” and “Aviation” that’ll totally drown you in sound.
Atmospheric Vol. 2 is the second single to be taken from Deepchord’s latest full length but sees him stray from the album tracks, bringing 3 exclusive pieces to the vinyl, keeping in the same musical vein as Ultraviolet Music.
Officine Di Efesto is the latest 12″slab from Svreca’s ever on-point Semantica featuring remixes of two uncredited tracks from Donato Dozzy and Naples duo Retina.It, and the lack of further information doesn’t lessen the sonic impact. Dozzy features on the A-side, with his remix of “Automa Talos” a potent exercise in unrelenting techno hypnosis with a strange looped sound that is weirdly reminiscent of ducks quacking present throughout. The Retina.It take on “Automa Pandora” is a much more stripped back, minimal affair that is just as effective.
Darkmatter Inc.is an overlay network that can only be accessed with specific mindset, configurations, or authorization, often using non-standard communications protocols and ports. All Killer No Filler is the first release that comes to surface after long development in the hidden spots of the internet.
Midgar delivers a new release by Wata Igarashi. Ciphers EP is a rich assemblage of deep sonic excursions showing throughout a strong coexistence of organic and virtual elements. The record opens with ´Ciphers´, where a fast paced sandy groove is driving high on drones via sparking ambiances. Second track, ´Hailstones´ is basically a beat knocking its way outside, under a heavy hi-hat hail, slashed by snares and haunted by holographic spirits. On the B-side ´Lucifero´ carries a mellow but powerful mood, sounds like a morning star that gradually transforms into a supernova, is definitely the more dancefloor oriented cut of the release. Closing the vinyl, the slow-footed ´Cocytus´ is the complete opposite of its previous track, because of a cold, grave rhythm, treated like a windswept tree.
Fossil Archive rolls with its 4th release. With Fossil Archive’s previous release featuring as “Tune of The Month” on Mixmag’s Techno Page, this next two-part ensemble sees two very different tracks (‘Calyptraphorus’ by Voiski & ‘Velatus’ by Roberto) leave you with little doubt that Fossil Archive remains inspired to be at the forefront of all things techno.
It’s difficult to imagine The Bunker New York without Donato Dozzy. The roster of artists who have played the party over the past decade-plus reads like a proper Who’s Who of modern techno and house, but if there’s one artist in particular whose sound and vision has had an outsize impact on The Bunker, both as a party and as a record label, it would be Donato Dozzy.
Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald – the two indispensable protagonists of the Electric Garden – plug back into the wilderness. The result: a font from which springs serene and exhilarating musical ideas that vibrate with refined energy for sixty seconds in every minute.
Debut release from Lamaze on Bliq, featuring 3 deep detroit techno tracks and a remix by the prolific producer Conforce.
Spell PETS backwards to get STEP. Spell STEP forwards to find PETS going back to basics. STEP is the new concept vinyl only label from the founder of PETS, Catz ‘N Dogz, that highlights the rawest forms and root functions of quality club music. STEP finds the fundamental groove with undertheradar house and techno that is isn’t afraid to be rough around the edges. STEP is limited promo and all about the music. Each new STEP will be released every four months on vinyl only.
One of a set of new 12”s from Derrick May’s prestigious imprint – this one featuring a stomping and heavy techno track, based on hypnotic rhythms and somber patterns and that is guaranteed to move everyone on the dancefloor.’ Featuring classic looking cover illustration from the myth that is Abdul Qadim Haqq. Azimute is a new musical project combining the energies of Italian Cesare Marchese and Swiss Philippe Quenum.
The Hipodrome Of Music 