Tabvla Rasa is the second vinyl release for the new London based label Kapvt Mvndi Records, a Blackwater Label project about Techno. An experimental and post techno EP based on the historical events of the Second World War. The first track CXIX is about the days of Bombs in London during the War. The second track CMXI is about the connection between the indian Swastica and the esoteric symbolism used by the Nazists in the same period.
None of the Above aka N/O/T/A is an escape from reality plan. Made in between London and Toronto, it joins Dinamo Azari (AZARI & III) and Mixhell’s Laima Leyton and Iggor Cavalera (SEPULTURA). Eager to collaborate and make music in a non compromised way, the trio brought together live and electronic drum beats, strong bass lines, unexpected samples and dark synths to an unknown place. It is none of the genres we are listening to nowadays but it still brings together a live feeling of techno, industrial and acid.
The Bedouin imprint continues on with its quest for the sublime and exotic in modern techno and house music. Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being & The Truth Theory Trio delivers more of his signature dusty lo fi electronics but gets an industrial tinged stomp on with “Keep Your Mind Open” and it’s absolutely killer. On the flip is “That Is The Name Of The African God” which is an analogue jam that sounds more like the Hieroglyphic Being we know.
Cute Heels screamed onto the scene with his debut album on Dark Entries. The Colombian’s blend of EBM and minimal synth with driving rhythms electrified interest with Juan Atkins describing him as “the new blood and spirit for the next step in techno music.” Tough words to live up to, but this talented artist has done Atkins proud with his excellent five tracker, Nepotism EP. Measured and thoughtful the EP is packed with eclipsed wave and bold beats. Future classics shine from the drop. “Nepotism Structure”, with its blackened chords and stark chords, is brimming with a primal energy. “Madame Counsellor” ups the tempo, adding some extra squalor with wretched 303 writhe. Cute Heels refuses to sit in one genre, electro coming to a head in the shimmering mechanics of “Cabaret Literal.” “The Pulse (Sex Drive)” closes in a seedy blur of neon lights and showing synthlines.
Abstract Forms new Synth Funk offshoot presents the third release of DMX Krew. Ladies and Gentleman the man with the magic fingers gives you Tha Bump!
Legendary electronic pioneer Gerald Donald of Dopplereffekt and Drexciya returns with an incredible four track EP under his Der Zyklus guise. It is fair to say Donald is an electro pioneer, godfather and leading figure in electronic music. The Detroit artist, who took inspiration from the likes of Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra went on to form his own uniquely experimental sound and would inspire a generation of techno and electro producers with his boundary pushing attitude.
Dallas based artist Cygnus returns to Central Processing Unit with his fourth release for the Sheffield based future facing electro imprint with his Radical User Interfaces EP. Invoking scenes from possible intergalactic situations Cygnus runs the four track offering off bit crunched funk, machinic constructs and glistening synth work.
The return of Recondite. Limited release by Cygnus showcasing the expertly crafted sound design and Detroit inspired sounds of a young talent who will surely be one to watch for in the near future.
Deep Space Orchestra is Chris Barker and Simon Murray, a pair of mature music lovers who have been DJing and making music for years. When together they conjure up emotive soundscapes full of lithe and rubbery bass, rich synth patterns and authentic real world textures. Never repeating the same trick twice, they conjure up original moods and grooves that don’t rely on trends of the day nor obvious sample pack sounds. ‘Memory’ is a complete piece of work that has been cooked up over the last three years and has largely been born from a collection of gear they bought with a view to starting to play live. As such it finds them experiment with all manner of new sounds and techniques, and the results are triumphant indeed.
Toby Tobias is ready to drop his second album. Clearly a labour of love, Rising Son touches on many of his now-familiar influences – the futurist synth sounds of Detroit techno, deep house, Chicago jack, Balearica, leftfield boogie, Italo-disco – whilst focusing on a predominantly hardware-based sound that allows his lovingly produced melodies and gorgeous chords due room to breathe. As a result, the album sparkles, with highlights – both dancefloor-focused, such as recent single “Wonder”, and more downtempo – cropping up on each of the double-album’s four sides. It’s actually the more atmospheric downbeat moments, such as the brilliant “Sending Signals” and IDM weird-out “Broken Computer” – that really shine.
Contemporary deep house with the bumping grooves of classic Jersey garage. Tapping up the talents of French producer DJ Steaw, the EP is dominated by “Everydayz”, combining an ultra-crisp percussive arrangement with resonant bass, hands in the air keys and breathy vocals, as tight a dancefloor house construction as you’re likely to hear in the near future. On the flip, the producer provides the “Deep mix” of the same track, inverting the mood with its cloak of midnight vibes, soundtracking the club rather than the terrace. The real gem however is “Morning Light” mixing up the formula with its driving bassline and richly filtered atmospherics.
The title track ”Measure Pleasure” has that buldging funk bass lying underneath some spacey pads and a great rhythm track. Golden Ivy’s version of the title track is emphasizing on the rhythm even more by adding bursting FX and obese kickdrums. Moon B’s Nada Clouds (A3) is a positive yet exotic journey which should be excellent for summer gig’s on rooftops anywhere in the world. For the B1 Moon B continues with the percussion laden ”PV Hills”, this bit has those signature chord switches and vibe changes, that are creating a very melancholic atmosphere throughout. British master of all things melodic ”Fudge Fingas” flips the original completely, making it more streamlined with just a hint more power.
The first chapter in a series of three EPs to come from Dutch label Field Records is from Swedish producer Staffan Linzatti. Hypnotic techno from the outer edges of our galaxy combined with richly melodic, angelic and heavenly electronics on the deep space affair. Dedicated Millsian productions which are riddled with spaceship communications and distant sonar pushes.
Ben Sims’ Symbolism continues apace with a release from Binny, a Liverpool-based producer DJ otherwise known for some superb output as part of Phantom Planet Outlaws. Comprising three original tracks, the Subtractive Rhythm EP also takes in a remix from long-time Sims collaborator and British techno legend, Paul Mac.
The MNS X series returns for its 4th issue with one from the Spainard mystic: Eduardo De La Calle. Featuring full EPs from the label artists, the MNS X series plays in the field of the analog, acid and techno. For this, Eduardo De La Calle has put forward a tougher stance from his other silky productions, heading into the rough, analogue and raw terrain for Midnight Shift. The result packs a punch, rounded up with a remix by Hodge.
Gary Martin releases his second sequential EP on Motech Records, the ‘This is It’ EP. The Ep features two more exclusive tracks, ‘This is It’ a driving composition accented with piano and synth patterns and subtle funky movement, and ‘Galaxy Style’ a percussive, building composition expertly laced with muted samples and synth progressions.
Already moving forward towards the 5th addition to their catalog within barely one year of existence. The Rotterdam-based Self Reflektion imprint continues to expand their crew presenting a four-track sampler with music from the likes of Logotech (Manifesto/IT), Hiroaki Iizuka (THEM/JP), Remco Beekwilder (Self Reflektion/NL) and Lenson (Paling Trax/NL).
The Hipodrome Of Music 