The German label Highgrade Records presents its new release Decimals, that comes from the hands of one of it’s most loyal fighters, the Romanian DJ and producer Mihai Popoviciu. The EP includes four tech house tracks, with elegance and dancing reunited in this new release of one of the most powerful labels from the tech house scene.
Following the success of last year’s first two editions, Don’t Be Afraid return for Record Store Day 2013 with a third and fourth 12” combination of Spargel Trax releases, celebrating the dual themes of great seasonal music and great seasonal Spargel. The contribution of tracks from certain bona fide legends who appear under the now familiar spargel-related pseudonyms as well as some incredibly talented new comers meant that it was impossible to pass up the chance of working on a third and fourth volume. On this release we have tracks from 48v Spargel Brothers, Club Paranoia, Slazenger’s People and Freeman.
Following the success of last year’s first two editions, Don’t Be Afraid return for Record Store Day 2013 with a third and fourth 12” combination of Spargel Trax releases, celebrating the dual themes of great seasonal music and great seasonal Spargel. The contribution of tracks from certain bona fide legends who appear under the now familiar spargel-related pseudonyms as well as some incredibly talented new comers meant that it was impossible to pass up the chance of working on a third and fourth volume. On this release we have four tracks from Shwet Musali, Lily, No Photosynthesis and Jon Alcindor.
The Exaltics have been rippin’-up the acid vibes for some time now, gathering momentum from the efforts and hard work of imprints such as Solar One Music, Transient Force, Last Known Trajectory, Bunker and Panzerkreuz and of course more recently Crème Organization, Trust and our friends at Abstract Acid. As such, the time has come for a full-length acid project, entitled ‘Das Heise Experiment’ which originates from The Exaltics’ desire to take things a notch deeper, while pushing the acid a step into more menacing and quite devilish territory. For those that appreciate such dastardly dark styles, well, you will not be disappointed with this album. Coarse acid coupled with sublime soundscapes and ubiquitously haunting melodies make for the perfect combination.
Ceephax, the pope of acid music of the 2000s, has grown up between Giorgio Moroder’s sound and the library music of the BBC. These multiple influences are transcribed again in this triple album which could be an imaginary OST. He proves with this work of art that he has reached his whole maturity thanks to a great sense of narration and his mastery of analogue machines. Welcome in Cro Magnox Planet!
Split release of the two Dutch labels Shipwrec and Fremdtunes, casting off for uncharted waters, setting sail to proudly introduce a fresh new name to their ever expanding roster. Julian Edwardes is a Dutch artist that bends the limitations of Hip Hop and Bass Music, his first outing on vinyl takes elements of these sounds and twists them into a new form. The title track judders and shakes into life with a controlled tempo adding gravity to the mix. Sombre notes drop to create a melancholic muscular beast. The flip sees E.R.P. aka Gerard Hanson aka Convextion flying in from Texas on remix duty. Hanson weaves his magic, a lush melody of IDM depth descends to elevate this remix into something sublime.
“Broken SD1 140”: not only a reference to an old drum machine, but also a blatant lie… There is nothing busted about this fresh EP from Breaking Records boss DMX. Here we find him straddling the eons with a timeless blend of rich analogue electronica, classically trained electro and forward-thinking vibage. Highlights include the super-squelch warmth on the bassline of “Apple Grid”, the hard-nosed ghetto techmongering of “Superficial Appearance” and the timely vintage house riffery of “Dramatic Exit”.
Fishermen is a new project created by Martin (MRSK) and his friend Thomas. Their first EP was released on the Skudge White series. When it is time for their second coming, Delirium Tremens, the duo delivers four tracks of dark, grinding soul techno, inspired by the sea. To be played at maximum volume.
Bosconi Squirts present a release by modular synths man Hash aka Daniele De Rossi. 4×100% pure analog bombs amazingly produced moving forward from finest Minimal Techno a la Robert Hood to more modern cynematic and experimental rotative productions. Two of the tracks are revisited by label boss Corcos, on his techno vest and Ennio Colaci, both the men behind Minimono project.
Outstanding EP on Dolly again, who keeps on delivering at the highest level. Four equally strong tracks (of which three will be featured on Steffi’s upcoming Panoramabar mix cd) by Dexter, Third Side, John Barera & Will Martin, and label lady Steffi herself. Crossing the thin line of contemporary house & techno with slight hints of acid and proper US deep house, but basically all just can described as strong & plain groove, for maximum dancefloor delight.
After his debut 12inch on Actress’s Werkdisc label comes Moiré’s new 3-track 12″ on Rush Hour. Moire is a mysterious producer hiding behind hypnotic visuals and a well-groomed cloak of anonymity. Now he’s ready to show his hand further with this second release, a three-track EP of what he proudly calls “London techno”.
Honorary Rebel Mathew Jonson will soon be unleashing his long awaited third artist album on Crosstown Rebels but first a slice of the Canadian minimal house pioneer’s inimitable style with two tracks of distinct tonal contrast both with the unique stamp of a Jonson production. A-side ‘Automaton’ is a powerful trip with a solid yet nuanced drive, intricate tribal beats with an almost syncopated African influence combined with gnarled bass sequences in a never-ending groove. B-side ‘In The Stars’ enters a more abstract realm, with celestial synth melodies melting into a sound bed of futuristic bleeps and a soporific groove of percussion and a heavy bass beat. In the breaks, vague jazzy chords fuse with an echoing voice descending from space.
“Bones in Motion, the Northern Ireland hailing producer’s latest full-length exercise, is dance music Leaving Records style – thoroughly busted techno for the post-punk demo tape set. On a blurry path between house music’s early analog experiments and astounding vistas in modern digital production, you will hear ghostly wisps of woozy trance, distorted and dazzling, cooing through a thick haze of warbling warmth and soulful, revolving resonance. Propelled rhythmically by a ramshackle assemblage of maimed drum machines and battered samples, Bones in Motion doggedly pedals ahead with no finish line in sight – towards the endless possibilities of electronic music.”
Marcel Dettmann makes his debut on the Dekmantel imprint and takes on two Vedomir alias Vakula remixes. So what else to expect but forward thinking techno from the man who has been widely regarded as one of the genres most respected dj’s? Keywords are stripped, dark, raw, hypnotizing and dystopian; we could almost say ‘business as usual’ from this longtime Berghain-resident.
Frigio happily announces a new release by San Francisco based artist Exillon who is well known for his amazing works for Detroit Underground among other labels. In Mind Techno Control EP, Exillon (aka Jay Fields) drops 3 energetic and overwhelming tracks. On side A we have an incredible 10 minute long acid techno killer that for sure will burn dancefloors. You can hear all the analogue gear frequencies bouncing in your bones. On B side, the 2 tracks keep the same forcefulness and get closer to an IDM drum structure that maintain the groove but out of the straight 4×4 beat. By using deeper melodies and mixing different styles, the result is very rich in textures and makes the sound exotic.
Superfresh German House label Toy Tonics comes up with a record by German house shooting stars Rhode & Brown. Getting inspired by all kinds of house music, they simply don’t know any frontiers – mixing up the old deep Berlin sound with the funky aspects of Munich future disco, 90ies New York and an even some more uplifting angles.
One Records bring you Alex Arnout and ‘One Nation’ featuring the legendary Tyree Cooper. Killer remixes come from Argy and Dame Music’s Bloody Mary. Proper peak time house with vocals by Tyree Cooper.
WAX Classics – a sub-label of the famous SKYLAX Records, presents their 9th release, featuring 4 house trax done by the french producers duo Concept e25. ‘Garage Sessions I’ continues their journey into the 90’s Underground House world, with 4 tracks featuring funky basslines, classic.
The Savannah EP is the long-awaited third and final element of Mr. Beatnick’s Synthetes Trilogy on Don’t Be Afraid.
