Theory Recordings is back with a vs EP featuring label boss Ben Sims remixing two original cuts from Scottish techno legend Stephen Brown. His unique brand of intelligent and soulful goodness has graced many labels over the years. He is backed with 2 firing remixes from Ben Sims that have been doing plenty of damage all over.
Aubrey with the second release on Dot imprint. This time with Analog People, Little Nobody and Ozka remixes.
Modular Expansion is a fresh new techno label, based in Athens – Greece. The label’s first release comes from the head of George Apergis. The debut single features the track “Quelle”, a Detroit-ish techno track, with a distinctive chord progression and solid bassline. The release also includes 3 striking remixes from international artists. The first one comes from the acknowledged German artist Johannes Volk, who re-creates a dub version of the original track. The second remix comes from the rising scene of Paris and Zadig, who evolves the track into a groovy and deep experience. Last but not least, the remix of Irish technohead Lee Holman introduces a darker approach, setting a minimal atmosphere with a unique vocal.
Berghain mainstay Ben Klock will be in charge for the next installment of Fabric’s ongoing mix series. Taking on this project for Ben has become more than just the mix itself; it’s been an adventure into the future sound of some of the best and most exciting producers out there. Recorded in his home studio in Berlin, the mix has a distinct intention; one of discovery. The selection reflects both his love of classic house and techno productions as well as his passion for unearthing new and unreleased music as his friends were personally invited to submit rare and exclusive tracks for the purposes of this very special fabric mix. Klock had this to say when asked about producing the mix, “I didn’t want to include any of my ‘hits’ from my sets this time. The idea is more that you have something to discover when you listen.”
Indigo Aera’s 6th release by Louis Haiman called ‘Soul Purpose’ is a real journey trough time. Having released two of this tracks on early Transmat compilation CD’s, the other six unreleased tracks are carefully mined from Louis’ archive of 15 to 20 years old. Louis Haiman’s music is a balance of gentle synth arrangements swimming atop a sea of low-end frequencies. Ambient soundscapes drift among layer after layer of meandering melodies while deep, syncopated rhythms and bass keep listeners grounded. A study in contrasts, his compositions are both tranquil and urgent brought on by some of his earliest influences.
Unbalance aka Alexandr Matlahov is making a name in the techno scene thanks to his EPs on his own white label. This is his fifth release, featuring 3 new tracks.
W.T. Records boss Willie Burns drops a typically varied EP for The Trilogy Tapes imprint. A label perhaps best known for its super limited cassette releases from underground doyens such as Ben UFO, Kassem Mosse and Madteo. However this year Mr Bankhead has already put out two excellent vinyl-shaped releases from KM/MM (aka Kassem Mosse and Mix Mup) and Dro Carey, and Burns will make it three, with The Overlord EP.
As the sun sets on the northern hemisphere summer, Thug Records returns to the confines of underground nightclubs with this warehouse release from Ron Jason. Cosmic Paradise is a pulsating synth driven excursion through space and time. This rave anthem also features 2 versions from Larry Heard, an Underground Remix and a Deep Pass. On the B1, Cosmic Afrika is a straight up dance floor hit, as Ron Jason takes things back to the late 80’s with a nod to the legendary Paradise Garage.
Keeping with tradition, the second ItaloJohnson release of 2012 once again presents itself in the likeliness of a 12inch Wax with three tracks. The one-track mind repeats the same funk-nationalistic character of ItaloJohnson and once more shows its simplicity. The first track is also known as “Bootytrack”. This track always pushes the low end to the limit and under the right circumstances guarantees some hip swing. Number two may sound familiar, but even if you don’t know its rootz, you’ll still be down with each other.
This is a collection of stripped back remixes designed for a good punch in the tonal exploitation of each individual track. The tracks are designed with bass drum emphasis for the club dj Tevo Howard.
Samuel André Madsen from Denmark knows how to combine single elements into a groove collage defying all stereotypes. Northwest Cave Groove is brushed lightly against the grain, against all expectations, opens up once the chords hit. Moodsy opens with a warm hypnotic sound carpet that is hard to resist. The following breaks sends the track into stasis. Finally, Achterbahn D ´Amour rebuild the original track into an epic, tercet-laden, 9 min. acid monster with a classic 808/909 barrage. At the end elegiac strings convert it into a and yet surprisingly thriving field of flowers.
Bu-Mako Recordings presents part 1 of Alison Marks’ Re-Create, featuring Dubbyman and Jenifa Mayanja on the remake.
This is his 5th album for Touch. FE3O4 – Magnetite was recorded in Berlin between 2011 and 2012. In contrast to the dark vistas of his most recent releases, FE3O4 – Magnetite oscillates between the two poles of silence and noise. Using his signature sources which range from radio signals to sine wave generators, Mika Vainio creates a unique emotional journey that moves from the serene to the unsettling, always challenging the listener’s comfort zone.
“Alpha Centauri, known as Rigil Kentaurus, Rigil Kent, or Toliman, is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. Although it appears to the unaided eye as a single object, Alpha Centauri is actually a binary star system (designated Alpha Centauri AB or α Cen AB) whose combined visual magnitude of –0.27 would qualify it as the third single brightest star in the night sky after the –1.46 magnitude Sirius and the –0.72 magnitude Canopus.”This second release of the Grey Series is dedicated to the above mentioned star ‘Alpha Centauri’. Ness uses all his skills and experience to create a soundtrack to describe the atmosphere of three important stages. Drones and metallic sounds that move through space and a mystical universe. Three tracks where you can feel the depth and experience the fear of the unknown.
For the 40th release, Deeply Rooted House welcomes Argentina’s own Jonas Kopp. This 4 tracks ep gives a good example of his diverse and still very defined techno recording skills. A side goes from the very straight forward and somehow mental ‘Reforce’ to the deep and abstract journey of ‘Proteus 81’, while B side kicks of with the somehow balearic and positive ‘Green fingers’ to end up with the quest of ‘Light’!
Construct Re-Form present a young Parisian artist : Birth of Frequency. On the A side, ‘Remind’ is serious Techno with heavy 909 drums and a repetitive and hypnotic synth, in the tradition of the purest minimalistic electronic music. On the B side, ‘Surround the silence’ offers a more deep feeling, between House and Techno, the perfect balance of those two generic styles. For the ending, Antigone give his own vision of “Surround the silence” with this brilliant remix, he tells us another part of the story with metalic and sharp sounds and a wintry atmosphere.
STL is back on Smallville with a full EP, featuring three outstanding tracks. Stefan Laubner is the undisputed master of the left of centre house groove and on “Where Have You Gone”, he proves his worth yet again. Spacey, somewhat mysterious melodies float through the arrangement, appearing gradually over Laubner’s trademark doubled up, scuffled beats. He adopts a similar approach with “Inverted Reality”. There, grinding sounds and a heavy bass make the off beats sound more deranged and out there. However, it’s with “Your Turn” that he really impresses. The track marks a departure of sorts for Laubner, with a dubby, snaking bassline at its centre, and the metallic drums and a linear rhythm marking out the German producer’s most techno focused release to date.
Love Letters From Oslo showcases the fruits of collaboration between Romanian young talent MarcMan and Sascha Dive.
Here we find a couple of heavyweights facing off with one of the centre pieces of Orgue Electronique’s acclaimed “Strange Paradise” album. On the one hand we have Kink & Neville Watson with a swooning but rather pressing epic that unexpectedly turns into a harmonious vortex. On the other hand, we find up ‘n cummer Willie Burns oldschool Jacking the faders with one of the sikkest organic beat tracks.
