A strong first release from Sly Fox Records, a new label based just outside of Detroit in Ann Arbor Michigan. Dubbed out techno vibes well done by Appian & Segv.
001.Features
Dimi Angélis & Jeroen Search – Rhetorica EP [STHLMLTD025]
Dimi Angelis & Jeroen Search make their first appearance on Par Grindvik’s Stockholm LTD label with their ‘Rhetorica EP’. This EP is a lesson in deep, patient and hypnotic sounds. ‘Divisio’ utilizes dubbed out delays as they work the percussion into gentle builds and breaks in a subtle but effective manner. ‘Partitio’ steps towards the darker tones the duo are known for with a relentless rhythm underpinning celestial Sci-Fi bleeps and bells. Both originals carry warm analogue sounds and were recorded in one take giving them a continuously evolving, organic feel. The EP is roaded by a Jonas Kopp remix.
Jeroen Search – Dimensions EP [SECT12]
The Dimension EP can be seen as a veritable coup from the Sect label, as iconic Dutch techno artist Jeroen Search makes his label debut with some typically wall rattling techno functionalism. Search’s tireless energy for one take productions has seen him at his most productive this year and as always his tracks still retain a finely sculpted feel regardless of his preferred approach. Swiftly spiralling undercurrents of analogue acid merge in synchronicity with the tightly wound drums to provide one relentlessly driven groove on “Paralell Lives” with intermittent ascendant hat rolls and subaqueous keys worthy of the Something In The Sky series only serving to further hypnotise your senses. Complementing this, “Section A” is gruff concrete techno at its finest and “Inverse” demonstrates Search’s ease for producing well crafted minimalism.
Population One – Midnight Hours / Two Sides To Every Story [X-DSR003]
Terrence Dixon is the man behind sporadic production alias Population One, serving up dark and heavy, intense and ravey records. Delsin’s re-issue arm has sought to get some of the old tracks out there once again on this double a side 10″ outing with ‘Midnight Hours’ and ‘Two Sides To Every Story’. ‘Midnight Hours’ bangs hard and fast with an unhinged melody line squirming about like an untethered hose. Every surface is frayed and rusted, frosty and splintered making this some of the most primeval warehouse techno you will likely have heard for a while. ‘Two Sides To Every Story’ is just as tough and unruly, with myriad synthesized sounds rushing about in side a framework of incessant hi hats and solid kicks like a bee trapped in a bottle. A controlled frenzy, you might say, but certainly the sort of abrasive and arresting techno that works perfectly in the darkest of basements.
Ben Sims vs Stephen Brown – Fuego / Polar [THEORY041]
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 – Dot 2 [DOT002]
Aubrey with the second release on Dot imprint. This time with Analog People, Little Nobody and Ozka remixes.
George Apergis – Quelle [ME001]
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.
Ben Klock – Fabric 66 [FABRIC131]
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.”
Louis Haiman – Soul Purpose [AERA006]
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 – Unbalance #5 [UNBALANCE005]
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.
Willie Burns – The Overlord EP [TTT005]
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.
Ron Jason – Cosmic Paradise EP [THUG010]
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.
ItaloJohnson – ITJ06 [ITJ006]
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.
Tevo Howard – Indian Summer [TTHR-DR018]
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.
Kouji Nagahashi – Monster Olympic [IERO006]
Samuel André Madsen – Moodsy EP [NSYDE004]
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.
Alison Marks – Re-Create Part 1 [BU-M019]
Bu-Mako Recordings presents part 1 of Alison Marks’ Re-Create, featuring Dubbyman and Jenifa Mayanja on the remake.
Mika Vainio – FE3O4 – Magnetite [TO86]
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.
Ness – Rigil Kent EP [MRECLTDGS02]
“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.
Jonas Kopp – Reforce [DRH040]
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’!
