Sterac @ Dekmantel Festival 2022
detroit techno
Terrence Dixon & Jordan GCZ – Keep In Mind I’m Out Of My Mind [RHM038]
Double LP documenting a realtime collaboration between Terrence Dixon (Metroplex/Tresor/Rush Hour) and Jordan GCZ (Off Minor/Minimal Detroit/Rush Hour). In September 2019, Motor City techno legend Terrence Dixon made a rare trip to Europe. He was introduced to Jordan Czamanski AKA Jordan GCZ. The pair hit it off immediately, so Czamanski powered up his studio and the pair began to jam. Over the following five days, the pair improvised extensively, stopping only periodically to drink coffee and discuss music, life and much more besides. While in the studio, they barely uttered a word to each other, instead responding almost psychically to the rhythms, grooves, riffs and musical motifs the other was spinning into the mix. The results of these surprisingly magical 2019 studio sessions are showcased on “Keep In Mind, I’m Out of My Mind”.
Indio – Antero (Convextion / E.R.P. Remixes) EP [EE0011]
John Beltran aka Indio is back with a follow up to the great Detroit Dancer release earlier this year. Here with a even more Detroit sounding production that makes us think of early Detroit / Transmat releases. On the remix duty we have 2 absolutely stunning remixes from Convextion / E.R.P.
Skudge – Soundworks [SKUDGE-LP04]
Skudge may no longer be a duo – Elias Landberg has been using the alias for his solo productions for a few years now – but the long-serving act’s sound remains as inspired, club-ready and far-sighted as ever. That much is proved by Soundworks, the first Skudge album in two years. Rooted in machine soul, it boasts tracks that variously doff a cap to Motor City futurism, the organ-tinged throb of Rob and Lyric Hood’s 21st century Floorplan productions, the sparse and dubby vibes of vintage UK bleep techno, late ’90s tech-house, and the woozy, life-affirming lusciousness of deep techno. In other words, it’s full of “proper techno” produced by a true master of his craft.
Yan Cook – Mirror Maze [INERTIA10]
Deepchord – Functional Extraits 1/2 [SOMA626/SOMA632]
Detroit’s deep techno master, Deepchord, makes a more than welcome return to Soma after 5 years. With a brand new album dropping, Rod Modell delves deep into his ethereal sonic world to bring ‘Functional Extraits’. Built in a way that only Deepchord can, he transports you to different realms with lush soundscapes and perfectly processed electro-acoustics giving you an insight to the mind of the unique artist.
Stasis – From A Failing Light EP [ASGDE036]
UK techno pioneer Steve Pickton has dug deep into his DAT tapes collection to unearth 2 previously unreleased recordings from the golden era ’92-’93. Both rarities offer a trademark lush and retro-futurist Detroit inspired sound that is totally unique. Fellow Likemind legend Nuron provides a stunning remix.
Robert Hood – Technatural EP [MPM043]
Originally released in 2000 this ep showcases the unique sound that is synonymous with Hood: simple but effective minimalism for the dance floor. This 4 tracker is essential for anyone considering themselves a Techno fan.
Reggie Dokes – Universe Speaks [STILLT003]
With “Universe Speaks”, Reggie Dokes is at the helm of the third release for Still Techno. It is rare for Reggie to drop 4 deep techno tracks on one serving but here we are. All tracks featured on “Universe Speaks” are an ode to the dancefoor and Detroit, where melodies, jazz, percussions and real electronic music collide to create a new and subtile soundscape.
Floorplan – Shop / Learn [MPM42]
Originally released on M-Plant subsidiary label, Duet in 2002. The record gets its hypnotic grooves remastered by Thomas Heckman for its 20th year anniversary,.
Brunson – Hug Your Friends [TRESOR327]
Vibrant acid tracks knead muscular electronic dance structures on Gerald Brunson’s debut EP. A member of the Model 500 extended family and running Dance Sacred Records, Brunson presents a restless world that beckons forth from the underground of the Midwest, full of bouncing flair and techno passion.
Jeroen Search – Enigma [RYCL016]
A stalwart of the Dutch techno scene since the mid nineties, Jeroen Search has been ploughing his own furrow aside from the typical norms and standards of the techno scene with lasting integrity and unflinching dedication throughout the years. A coinage derived from the sharp, clinically designed blends he has come to be known for, that Search-sound has long established as a blueprint for DJs seeking laser-guided weaponry into their sets, and Jeroen’s maiden effort for RYC follows that very guideline. Starting with the massive pound of the title-track, “Enigma”, the EP knocks into your system with blunt force, ushering us into a no-frills corridor of hydraulic kicks and sizzling static. As per usual with Jeroen’s compositions, minimalism serves a purpose of exponential effect.
The Paradox – Live At Montreux Jazz Festival LP [AX108]
Techno legend Jeff Mills and keyboard wizard Jean-Phi Dary embark on a live musical trip, documenting their most recent performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland – and encapsulating their mission to fuse techno and jazz. In the past Jeff has spoken of the need to “take a few steps back and try and assess what has been done, and what might need to be approached to be able to go forward.” Jeff’s reassessment manifests as jazz-hno, film music-hno, conceptechno… anything to happily build of the mad range of influences he’s drawn on over the years. Paradox: Live at Montreux is the result. Jeff Mills – electronics; Jean-Phi Dary – piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer; Zaf Zapha – electric/upright bass.
RX-101 – New Discoveries LP [SUCTION055]
Suction Records announces RX-101’s fifth album, “New Discoveries”. As the title suggests, “New Discoveries” is not just more of the same — this is a new side of the RX-101 sound. Rather than taking inspiration from braindance heroes like Aphex Twin and Bochum Welt, “New Discoveries” is a reflection of Erik Jong (aka RX-101)’s love for classic Detroit techno – Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig, et al. Like some of the UK producers who mined this sound for inspiration, from B12 to Kirk DiGiorgio, the influence of Detroit techno is crystal clear, even if the sound has a distinctly EU/UK flair.
Levon Vincent – Concrete Jungle EP [NS-38]
Vernon Felicity – Hindsight EP [FE004]
Boris Bunnik returns to the Fluid Electronics label after his remix for Rob Belleville. This is his first outing under the Vernon Felicity alias since 2016. Boris – better known for his work as Conforce and Versalife, steps up with four cuts joining the dots between sci-fi-infused scenarios, rapturous synthy vistas and AI-powered club dynamism, bound to have dance floors phasing in a paradox of hi-intensity wares and textures-splattered sonics tailored to maximal effect.
Jeff Mills – Mind Power Mind Control [AX106]
Detroit legend Jeff Mills’ returns with an exciting new LP, and as always, there’s a deep concept behind it. Mind Power Mind Control explores various techniques used for mind control, the deceptive techniques devised for such purposes and its power over people. Similarly, the music on offer here is incredibly hypnotic – this is a Mills album after all – with each track’s complex sonic tapestry sure to entrance you. All of The Wizard’s idiosyncrasies are on offer: immaculately programmed 909 rhythms underpin majestic strings and sublime tones, all delivered with his trademark style of futurist minimalism. While less dancefloor oriented than some of this revered DJ’s previous releases, it’s awe-inspiring nonetheless. Essential listening.
Kenny Larkin – Keys, Strings, Tambourines LP [ART20221]
From 2008 comes ‘Keys, Strings, Tambourines’ – Kenny Larkin’s fourth full length LP. Yet another advanced, singular and funked out techno milestone that bears all of Larkin’s idiosyncratic stylings and melodic touches. Once more he shows us how it’s done, sounding like nothing you’ve heard from him previously, ‘Keys, Strings, Tambourines’ is a truly adventurous record that defies categorisation today. Quietly influencing producers and DJs since its release, it points to where techno can go and what it can be and is a truly and criminally overlooked modern Detroit techno classic.
Sterac – Missing Secrets [DSR/STC3]
Steve Rachmad’s subliminal debut album ‘Secret Life Of Machines’ was originally released way back in 1995. In 2012 the album was re-issued, although three tracks didn’t make it to the vinyl re-issue. Now ten years later this new EP now re-issues also these three tracks after all: ‘Satyricon’, ‘Hydroxy’ and ‘Draghixia’.
Polytunnel – Bioacoustics EP [7SR035]
Talented Kilkenny-based Peter Lawlor, aka Polytunnel, rocks up on Seventh Sign Recordings and turns in a masterly release.
The Hipodrome Of Music 