Fresh from contributing from The Glowing compilation Vertical67 AKA Thomas Pahl is back on brokntoys with Morphed Reality. BT18 shows his versatility as a producer switching between gnarly, acid flecked electro to more introspective, IDM influenced brooding techno.
For its ninth release, Italian label Spazio Disponible looks to countryman Marco Shuttle for a first full length. ‘Systhema’ comes three years after his last album on his own Eerie label and finds him again focussing on an absorbing ambient techno style across eight enthralling cuts. Shuttle layers sound in subtle ways and has a meticulous attention to detail that results in a cinematic techno style that is cavernous and hypnotizing. Always operating in a region where ambient, techno and heady soundtracks become one, with this album Marco Shuttle once again confirms he is one of the finest sonic sculptors out there.
Biosphere is the main recording name of Geir Jenssen, a Norwegian musician who has released a notable catalogue of ambient electronic music. He is well known for his works on ambient techno and arctic themed pieces, his use of music loops, and peculiar samples from sci-fi sources. His 1997 album Substrata was voted by the users of the Hyperreal website in 2001 as the best all-time classic ambient album. The Petrified Forest mini-album is inspired by the movie of the same name, released in 1936 and directed by Archie Mayo.
Robert Henke aka Monolake returns with P A N which is the sixth and last record of the VLSI series. How he finds the time when not premiering such awe-inspiring audiovisual experiences such as Deep Web and Lumiere II? We will never know! This is the height of modern electronica with immaculate sound design created with the cutting edge technology within its sonic architecture. The guy invented Ableton so go figure! Across its three auditory experiences you will plug into a stunning dimension. “Pio” features female:pressure founder Electric Indigo, in addition to studio assistance from the legendary Mark Ernestus.
MLK presents Soul Storm (MLK1) by Mystic Letter K (aka Cari Lekebusch), the first release in the new MLK series. The EPVcontain 2 extraordinary electro sonic experiments that will continue the story of a mystery in sound architecture science.
Redshape returns to his own label with a retrovisionist release that looks back in time as much as it looks forward to the future. Revving up on the A side is ‘Shift’, a propulsive hurtle to the final frontiers. Starting off ominously with just drums, bass and a Pollock splatter of toms, the track is soon overrun by an army of relentlessly running basslines, let loose to steer in and out like searching headlights on a dark and endless highway. With a heavier kick, the track shifts into top gear with pensive pads soaring overhead, mesmerising squeaks and his signature attention to percussive detail. On the flip is ‘Drive’, which switches gears down a notch as an astrospace cruise along intergalactic coastlines – from summery California to shiny Coruscant. A rounded pounding beat with heavy sub bass bounces along to a breezy tropical melody and spacious percussive work, before riding off into a cinematic sunset that is as nostalgic as it is hopeful of the coming dawn. Once again on the edge of spatial sound but grounded in analog warmth, Redshape has presented a revision of classic record productions that truly punches as it is meant to be felt and heard – on wax.
Basic Soul Unit returns with another deadly EP on Dolly, further investigating the thin dividing line between techno and broken beats. A-side “Wallow” is a menacing big room stormer with a delicate pad breakdown, with Voiski providing an alternate more driving techno version of it with a splendid melodic twist midway through the track. “Radiate” and “Joyride” on the B both have BSU’s signature rhythmic ideas and fresh energy with “Radiate” even going full-on Broken Rave! “Joyride” is that upbeat funky techno nugget that’s going to sit in your DJ bag forever.
The Dutch label Balans Records returns with it’s twenty-first instalment to the series. This time Darko Esser’s imprint presents a collaboration between Z.I.P.P.O and Kalean, under their 3KZ moniker. ‘Not From Here’ opens the EP with its flowing grooves & eerie pads to create a beautiful techno track followed by ‘Nature Of Motion’ that offers an astral like immersion to the listener with its haunting melodic rhythms. On the flipside ‘Circles’ & ‘Times’ switch up the vibe in a more intense & playful mood, resulting in a finely balanced EP of atmospheric driving techno.
Classic yet fresh, part of the pantheon but exploring new forms: Module Werk continues where last year’s Interdimensional Traveler EP left off with a new stand-out four-tracker on Portuguese label Helena. Gravitational Tugs comes on in a Detroit rush of hi hats, claps and snares over an offbeat bassline, as stardust synths spin off into space overhead. Minor harmonies and a sparse breakbeat take Moment Of Inertia into darker territory, preparing the ground for the vintage Ismistik-style squiggle-and-stomp of Ritual Dance Machine. The mood lightens finally with Awakening, the kind of contemplative analogue electro to put on at an afterparty at your place, once you’ve changed into your comfiest pyjamas.
Dekmantel has wheeled out the big guns for this third volume in their 10th anniversary vinyl series. Mr Consistency himself, Leon Vincent, kicks things off with “UK Spring Vibes”, a pleasingly deep and softly spoken shuffler piled high with attention-grabbing analogue bass, stretched-out chords and twinkling piano flourishes. Legowelt excels himself (as usual) on the darting, synth-heavy intergalactic fun of “Blue Astral Techno”, while Joey Anderson is an ultra-positive mood on the melodious, slightly melancholy, synth-heavy deep house of “Opened Gate”. Central’s “Six Five Two”, a wavy and Balearic-minded trip though gentle, sun-kissed sounds and bubbling electronic rhythms, draws a fine EP to a close with an intoxicating flourish.
DMTR DSTNT & LVRIN join forces for a killer slice of dark techno and wave on Crimes Of The Future with the Blasphemy EP. Side A kicks off with a slice of heavy Russian techno mayhem with driving acid, synth and heavy percussion. Over on side B we have two different moods starring with more heavy duty acid on B1 and completing the side with some peak time dark wave action on achromatic.
Alex took his first musical steps by studying piano and guitar at the young age of 6. His fascination for the more outlandish, experimental side of each instrument corrupted his lessons and sent him down a modular synths and tape loop composition wormhole. Years later Alex resurfaced, got himself clean and, through connections made while spending time as a vocal audience member (and sometimes uninvited participant) at Lyman Woodard, Phil Ranelin, and other Tribe- and Motown-linked gigs in Cass Corridor during the mid-1970s, spent time as a session musician for Earth Wind and Fire, Chic, and Prince. It was only toward the mid-90s he found himself enthralled by the techno and house sounds of Detroit and Chicago so he went into the woodshed and came out firing electronic salvos.
Crimes Of The Future head to the other side of the world their first release from Australia as Paradise Box joins the family with the Hookup EP. Two original cuts of fine and upliftying deep and tropical house music are joined by two very special cover versions like you have never heard before. An incredible EP working equaly as well in the club or on a sun kissed beach bar.
Having established himself through a consistent stream of quality releases for Uncanny Valley and the immaculate collection of stomping dj tools for Rat Life, Credit 00 – real name Alexander Dorn – brings the heat on cassette for NYH81. These are recordings taken from his old apartment, and feature a heavy dose of reference to classic Gertronica. From Can to Kraftwerk to Neu! to (now) Munich’s Dopplereffect, this is some really nifty classic electro. From the 20 minute opening joint to the perfect pop song length closer ‘No Future Sound Of London’, these joint combine experimentation with spot on electro bangers. Audio perfection on cassette tape.
The eccentric producer and resident dj of the Phormix parties in Athens, Morah, after his releases on Return To Disorder, Berceuse Heroique and Lux Rec, returns with a fourtracker Ep on Vanila, delivering the sixth release of the label.
Berlin-based New Yorker Phase Fatale debuts on Unterton after strong releases with respected labels Jealous God and aufnahme + wiedergabe. Originally coming from a Post Punk / Cold Wave band background Hayden Payne stated in a recent interview: “Techno resulted from a development of Wave and EBM genres and its movements. Punk and Techno share the same mindset, this connection has always been there for me.”
The legend DJ Pierre digs through the vaults for a 12 track/12 artist double LP showcasing acid’s true pioneers from around the world. Acid 88 features new and original tracks from some of the style’s top producers that are flying the flag today for the Roland TB 303: Luke Vibert, Tyree Cooper, Mr. C, Posthuman, K Alexi Shelby and many more. Dedicated to the memory of Phuture co-founder DJ Spank Spank and respected German acid producer Andreas Gehm: who both passed away before their time in the summer of 2016. Each of them have a track included. Black & Yellow Vinyl with DJ Pierre’s acid history in the sleeve notes.
Mint Condition’s latest trip into vintage house territory comes from Mystic Bill, the Chicago-based Floridian whose produced some of the finest Windy City house of the late 1990s. Classics From The Vault Vol. 1 first appeared on Relief Records back in 1997, and has recently become something of a sought-after 12″. Naturally, it’s stood the test of time rather well. “Mind Ride” is a thumping blend of Ghetto-house drums, relentless electronic tweakery and psychedelic intent, while “The Struggle” tiptoes the fine line between jacking hypnotism and trippy, late night eccentricity. Flip for the loopy, proto-boompty warmth of “Jazz In Space”, where synth horns tumble down over and snappy drum machine groove, and the rolling deep house exoticism of “Late Night At The Music Box”.
The Hipodrome Of Music 