Conforce – Presentism [111DSRLP]

Boris Bunnik is back with a brand new album under his Conforce guise. Entitled Presentism, is his fourth under this alias and proves once that this most prolific talent is still very much an evolving producer. Presentism is more organic and less dystopian and mechanical than before, with a light hearted sense of joy and vivid musical patterns lingering long in the airwaves, and as such harks back to earlier full lengths like Machine Conspiracy, which leaned more on Detroit rooted techno. It is a collection of diverse musical compositions that leans more on musical structures than technical obsessions, and where his last effort Kinetic Image was a tightly programmed conceptual thing, this LP is a much warmer, more organic and aquatic bit of floating modern techno. As such, you get the sense Conforce is back and having fun with his music making once more, free from any rules and instead just crafting what he feels inside.

The expertly designed sounds of this album float and drift in subtly uplifting ways, right from the off. It is a diverse collection sounds with a fine sense of mood through, and that is what ensures it makes sense as a greater whole. At the same time it retains that signature Conforce sense of rhythm, underwater atmosphere and vivid seascaping that really takes you away from the world in which you live. Some tracks like ‘Realtime’ are slow and moody, others like ‘Erased Connections With The Past’ are more propulsive and physical and those such as ‘Monomorphic’ are heady, hypnotic affairs that make for beautiful electronic soundtracks

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Conforce – Presentism [111DSRLP]

Acronym – June [NE021]

Since his emergence onto the scene in 2012, Acronym has carved a bold name for himself within the burgeoning sphere of techno championed by his Northern Electronics compatriots, with releases on Semantica as well as his own Dimensional Explorations imprint. ‘June’ continues to affirm the young producer’s reputation as a skilled craftsman of densely woven, atmospheric electronic music, whilst serving as a substantial contribution to the Northern Electronics catalogue.

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Acronym – June [NE021]

Borrowed Identity – XXX [CCS098]

Circus Company welcomes a new character into the fold in the form of fast-rising artist Borrowed Identity. Across the four tracks on the XXX EP, the perfect balance is struck between powerful rhythmic commands and psychoactive decoration, combining everything needed for a memorable club cut.

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Borrowed Identity – XXX [CCS098]

VA – Halal Prepared Vol. 4 [BOE028]

The revered Halal Prepared series on boe extends to its fourth volume with four new acts fresh to the label. Hotly tipped duo, Invisible Menders, made up of outstanding DJ Jane Fitz and thus far underrated producer Dom Ahtuam contribute a stunning Balearic bass-heavy house cut “Fifth Time Lucky”. Fresh from his solo EP, John Shima slots in a deep techno workout “Thought Wave”. Toby Tobias of Rekids fame pumps out some raw basement lofi vibes with his jacker “Sword Art Arcade” and rounding off the EP on a delicate note is Tim Smith’s soft and melodic 707 jam “Graphene”.

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VA – Halal Prepared Vol. 4 [BOE028]

O.B. Ignitt & Omar-S – The 90s Evolution Of What it Was [OBONIT003]

Some three years on from their last collaborative outing – the Wayne County Hill Cops (Part 2) 12″ on FXHE – Detroit producers O.B Ignitt and Omar-S join forces for another trip into Motor City deep house territory. They wisely explore different moods and approaches throughout, starting with the fluid, dreamy hypnotism of “Seem Like You’re All Ready” – an exercise in luscious loops and dusty drum machine grooves. There’s a lovely early ’90s bounce to the evocative synth bass, classic riffs and cut-up vocal snippets of “Follow Me”, while closer “Hold The Line” owes much of its’ instinctive power to a deliciously rubbery acid bassline and vintage US garage drums.

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O.B. Ignitt & Omar-S – The 90s Evolution Of What it Was [OBONIT003]

Simple Machines – An Introduction To Simple Machines EP [MND031]

Chicago based producers Chicago Skyway, Taelue, & Chicagodeep come together to form the group “Simple Machines”. Their debut release offers a peek into the group’s world of sound, offering elements of deep and experimental house & techno.

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Simple Machines – An Introduction To Simple Machines EP [MND031]

2000Black – Make It Hard [RHM015]

Dego, Akwasi Mensah and Kaidi Tatham’s 2000 Black project is back with three timeless pieces that blend the group’s love for soulful futuristic beats and organic instrumentation beautifully. Firing on many levels and sure to tear up a floor or two this summer. To most headz, the producers behind 2000black need no real introduction. Initially inspired by breakbeat, house and techno, 4heros Dego has been constantly moving since the early nineties, enriching the drum & bass, soul and London boogie scene in his own unique way.

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2000Black – Make It Hard [RHM015]

Credit 00 – Party Beats [UV028]

CREDIT 00 - Party Beats

Here are some plain and simple cuts by yours truly Credit 00 that push just the right buttons to make people move. The tracks were made exclusively for his live set but they are too good to keep them back. Without superfluous frills these four bangers scream “Party” in every note but as usual with Credit 00 there’s also a melancholic side somewhere behind those tricky beats.

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Credit 00 – Party Beats [UV028]

Vincent Floyd – I Dream You [RHRSS015]

Originally released on Dance Mania, ”I Dream You” is an absolute Chicago House classic. It is one of the deepest and most soulful releases the label put out in their early days, and it totally captures Vincent Floyd’s signature sound.

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Vincent Floyd – I Dream You [RHRSS015]

Jeff Mills – Exhibitionist 2 (Part 1) [AX067]

The first installment of 12″ EP from “Exhibitionist 2” DVD+CD due out in September 2015. In Jeff’s words: “Expanding the art forms in Dance Music has always been an agenda that needs constant monitoring because it has the ability to evolve and develop each and every idea. At angles that are not easy to see or understanding for most of the listening and dancing audiences, I’ve always felt that Dance music would make more sense to the people if they were allowed chances to understand how the music is being programmed and made – to witness this process from beginning.”

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Jeff Mills – Exhibitionist 2 (Part 1) [AX067]

Abstract Division – Metropolis [DREF025]

ABSTRACT DIVISION - Metropolis EP

To Abstract Division, the city of Detroit and its artists are a major source of inspiration. As such, they decided their newest Metropolis EP was to be a homage, a means of giving back. This special package includes an original track that keeps close to the spirit of melodic, rhythmic, minimalism Detroit is known for. It also features three very special remixes by close friends Oscar Mulero – under his Trolley Route alias – Function, who ups the darker ante and Marcel Fengler who infuses it with his trademark Berlin funk.

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Abstract Division – Metropolis [DREF025]

Psyk – Human [MOTE043]

Spanish producer Psyk (a.k.a. Maan or Manuel Anós) is an audio technician who makes good on his name; each of his new releases acting like a steely sonic probe to be launched into the as-of-yet uncharted depths of the psyche. His newest release for the Mote-Evolver label is solid and elemental techno as ever: it fits neatly into the label’s stylistic template of mesmerizing precision yet never forsakes individuality in order to do so. Like Psyk’s other offerings for this label, the new EP works its magic on the central nervous system with a perfectly interwoven blend of up-front anxious sequences and mysterious luminous undercurrents, making for an experience whose energizing effect lasts well after the record has stopped spinning.

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Psyk – Human [MOTE043]