The second chapter of this young Danish talent’s Spectrums, with more post-bass techno hybrids, and inspired by the early 90s sounds of Belgian labels like R&S and Buzz.
deep techno
Louis Haiman – The Cosmic Memory EP [AERA017]
Louis Haiman returns to Indigo Aera with The Cosmic Memory EP, which features two originals as well as a remix by Berghain heavyweight Marcel Dettmann. His first single here is ‘How Free Am I’, and is eight delicate minutes of floating ambience and subtle, stripped back rhythm. It’s all in the bassline at first, after pixel thin synths float in like fireflies before static crackle and soft percussions flesh out the heavenly sound world. Soothing and absorbing throughout, it becomes a forceful and high pressure bit of techno in the hands of Marcel Detmann who layers in solid kicks and clacking hits to drive things along. ‘Hidden Knowledge’ is then a slithering bit of atmospheric electro with rumbling synths and pads suspending you in deep space. It rounds out a captivating EP.
Trinity – Cascade Drive [NTD007]
Australian label Nightime Drama serves up its second standout release of 2016. This four track affair is a second release on the label by Aussie live act, DJ and producer Trinity, with Steven Tang and Italian based Andee on the remix.
Benjamin Brunn – Plastic Album [3EEPLP201604]
Benjamin Brunn’s follow up to his highly regarded A Sun Life album on Third Ear. The Plastic Album is, like it’s predecessor once again bursting with fat, glistening, gorgeous sounds. Brunn’s sound is instantly recognizable; the Nord Modular synth and Roland 808 which feature on all his performances. Yet, he’s sounding as fresh, as enigmatic and as soulful as ever.
John Daly – Mainline [IZU002]
Lapien – Something To Show You EP Part 1 [MISTRESS008]
Following a brief hiatus, DVS1’s Mistress Recordings label returns with its’ first release of 2016. Something To Show You is an expansive, two-part E.P fron Nick Lapien. There’s much to enjoy on this first part, which sees Lapien deliver trippy, late night workouts that sit somewhere between ultra-deep house and Detroit techno. It’s an atmospheric formula that works wonderfully, particularly on “Something To Tell You” – where bluesy vocal samples weave their way around a deep, locked-in groove – and the up-tempo bump of tech-house hustler “No Good”.
Orson Wells – Missin U EP [SM005]
Orson Wells returns to his own Sound Mirror imprint with another superb 3-tracker. A slightly electro tinged dreamy and melodic beauty called G.I.T.S.’ is followed by the distorted, heavy breakbeat enhanced pounding title track Missn’ U’ on side A, while the futuristic deep journey Red Planet’ on the flip makes this EP another versatile and quality packed release you shouldn’t miss.
Legowelt – Dekmantel Podcast 078
Carlos Nilmmns – Midnight Chronicles EP [ORN039]
Carlos Nilmmns with a collection of atmospheric tracks between classical compositions, Detroit techno and oldschool deep House, on the Ornaments label.
Andy Stott – Too Many Voices [LOVE101]
Andy Stott rarely gets it wrong. To date, he’s release a trio of fine full-lengths on Modern Love, each of which has arrived perfectly formed. It’s a similar story on fourth album Too Many Voices. Rich, spacious and melodious, it draws on both classic and contemporary sounds, channeling Yellow Magic Orchestra, James Blake, Boards Of Canada, Autechre and clap-happy drum machine funk, before twisting these varied inspirations into thrilling new shapes. For all the high-minded experimentalism, Stott’s greatest gift is an ability to create music that’s inspired and entertaining, achieving a balance between boundary-pushing and old-fashioned melodiousness. When he gets it right, as on Too Many Voices, few can really compete.
VA – Cosmos #1 [SVS009]
Alex Danilov – Noises EP [ARMA012]
Alex Danilov, DJ and producer from Yekaterinburg, with a release on Arma. Published along with ‘reshape’ by Fred P., three original tracks constitute the Noises EP. His own productions are about finding the way to sustain deep mystic atmosphere within signature low-pass rhythm picture. Side B, containing both original and remix of ‘Unknown Numbers’, shows how this approach varies from classy style of Fred P. aka Black Jazz Consortium. Noises EP is the 12th release by Arma.
Juan Atkins & Moritz von Oswald present Borderland – Riod [TRESOR284]
Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald – the two indispensable protagonists of the Electric Garden – plug back into the wilderness. The result: a font from which springs serene and exhilarating musical ideas that vibrate with refined energy for sixty seconds in every minute.
Dorisburg – Irrbloss [HVN034]
One half of Genius Of Time, Alexander Berg makes his debut on Hivern as Dorisburg. Irrbloss features nearly an hour of Dorisburg new music. Eight cuts in which Berg unleashes several incarnations of his sound and delves into his most melodic and mystical facet. Tracks such as Irrbloss and Votiv exude a highly spiritual feeling, connecting the majesty of archaic folk music with state of the art electronic production. Gloson and Gripen, in contrast, are much more dancefloor oriented eorts, showing Berg’s most cerebral and somber side. Kassiopeia and Cirkla are two slices of sinuous cosmic techno that demonstrate once again Berg’s ability to blend evocative landscapes with club eciency. Finally, Insvept and Sagofabrik conde a more meditative and adventurous approach. In other words: a gripping journey with a kind of inspirational energy not easily found in today’s dance music.
Oscar Mulero – Second Skin EP [POLEGROUP037]
Slow paced beats and dubby chords by Oscar Mulero that mutate and run around the arrangement. Remixes by Architectural and Tensal.
Metropolis – Solitude [BLIQ013]
Some deep atmospheric techno and electro tracks from Nick Lapien under his Metropolis guise on Bliq. Comes with a remix from the enigmatic producer D5.
Delano Smith – From Silence [SUSH025]
A future classic of the Detroit master on the Berlin based Sushitech Records! Essential Alert, must have release.
Varg – Variations [SEM068X]
OCH – First Contact [DREIKLANG001]
Newly established Berlin-based vinyl-only label Dreiklang dive straight into the physical world with First Contact. The label’s distinctive triangular concept is reflected in its name with Dreiklang pursuing a three-fold approach to electronic music. Each release presents three contrasting takes on the same source material, juxtaposing and unifying three particular electronic music sub-currents. For their first outing, Dreiklang call upon an international team of producers with OCH, Hydergine and Kelovolt dropping in for their respective shots of tech-house, dub techno, and dark drone techno.
D5 – Sides Of Space [112DSR]
Delsin present Sides Of Space, a collection of classic, lost and forgotten tracks from atmospheric techno producer D5. The tracks on this new compilation have been chosen from old CDRs by label boss Marsel and truly reflect the artist formerly known as Dimensions 5’s fine tradition of relaxing chilled out, Detroit influenced techno. This is a compelling compilation that is wholly timeless from start to finish. Though driven by a fine sense of groove, it is also great head music that is richly musical and truly serene. In all, this releases reminds us that D5 is a underrated producer of emotive electronic landscapes.
The Hipodrome Of Music 