Berlin rising DJ and producer Fadi Mohem debuts on Ben Klock’s imprint Klockworks with four atmospheric techno cuts for the 27th outing on the label.
detroit techno
Johannes Volk – Cybernetic Ambush [EXP011]
After three years hiatus, Exploration Records is back with 4 track EP from Johannes Volk. The title track is a long upbuilding peak time smasher with strong reminiscences of early Detroit Techno. A2 delivering raw and dirty machine madness with a subtle bleep funk around stomping drums. The flip side comes with 2 driving Dub Techno tracks, filled with heavy bass, emotional soundscapes and an complex sound architecture.
Newworldaquarium – The Dead Bears [APE-LP02]
As Jochem Peteri returns his attention to the jewels buried in his back catalogue, including last year’s reissue of the 154 LP Strike, it’s a relief to know this understated rough diamond is getting the appropriate reissue treatment.
Newworldaquarium – Mercury / Levels Halo [APE06]
Newworldaquarium adds to his small but perfectly formed discography two unreleased extras from his Dead Bears album, and describes them as “early 2000s minimalism trying to survive in today’s maximized society.” ‘Mercury’ is a ten minute epic that journeys to the stars. Cosmic melodies shimmer in expansive skies as rubber kicks speed up and slow down back on earth. Synths twinkling and change shape, grand pads wash over you and the whole thing is utterly beautiful and hypnotic. ‘Levels Halo’ is a vastly spacious cut with arcing pads reaching up to the heavens as super deep kick drums gently thud way down below. Part dub, part ambient, part soundtrack, it is a truly cathartic listening experience. These are two more devastatingly deep and emotive cuts from Newworldaquarium.
Jeff Mills – The Director’s Cut Chapter 4 [AX082DC]
The fourth chapter from Axis Records’ The Director’s Cut re-issue project gathers together various versions of killer cuts previously produced and released by the Motor City legend over the past two decades. Highlights include deep space techno workout “Deadly Rays (Of A Hot White Sun)”, the densely layered African percussion, low slung bass and echoing organ stabs of “Gateway Of Zen (Percussion Mix)”, the bleep-heavy electro/techno fusion of sweaty workout “999” and the alien-sounding, minor-key hypnotism of “The Industry Of Dreams”. Each track is accompanied by a separate “audio commentary” from the man himself, which is ideal for those who love to hear artists talking about their work.
Mike Huckaby – TROOP Overcast #52
JTC – Indigo, Flesh and Fire EP [SPC-145]
Tadd Mullinix returns to JTC, the moniker which helped define Spectral Sound, the dance imprint of Ghostly International. The EP is packed, but still playfully ambiguous; a club-ready set built to max out mixing boards with spacious and nuanced melodies and motorized percussion. Five tracks, each with roughly five-minute run-times, offering all but a few breaths in a quest for highly operative dancefloor hypnosis. The record wastes little time locking in; on the first track, “Innerloire Rendezvous,” a dense square kick plows through a brisk four-on-the-floor routine phasing over harmonious synth stacks of rubbery fifths and sevenths. The title track splatters a lenticular static spray between thumping kick, billowy melodic swells, and staticky clicks, snaps, and claps.
Noah Gibson – Krasch 2 (Convextion & E.R.P. Remixes) [KRASCH2]
Krasch Records returns in strong form with its second release, featuring two remixes by Gerard Hanson as Convextion and E.R.P.
Jeff Mills – Moon – The Area Of Influence [AX081]
”Commemorating 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing (July 20 2019) Axis Records is pleased to announce the release of the album by Jeff Mills on his interpretations of Earth’s Moon. ”There are influences of the Moon we can detect, measure and document as scientific facts. If these are perceived as rational explanations, then it should raise questions about the possibility of other unseen mental and metaphysical connections humans have, not just with the Moon but with all other celestial bodies in and outside this Solar System. On the flipside, as we recognize that our Sun gives us light and a lifespan, what does an even greater force in the Cosmos, perhaps the darkness [or absence of anything] affects us. If we look at the Moon as a component in a vast configuration of integral connected parts, then an intuitive sense might lead us to a wider understanding about how deeply our relationship lies. This album and the imagination that helped to produce it should be considered as a proposition with open-endedness and no foreseeable conclusion. It is a chemistry of facts and feelings based on then, now and forever”. Jeff Mills”
Terrence Dixon – Vertical Hold EP [30EXO006]
The prescient sound of an abstract never-coming future built from the everlasting commitment to the boundless experimentation. The prolific one-of-a-kind Terrence Dixon is back to 30D Records. “Vertical Hold EP”, holds on his unlimited creative scheme: on the basis of the Detroit sound, he transforms that legacy in a fully refurbished approach wherein the true creativity smashes any possible stereotype. Every track leads us to the unexpected. From the skillful Dixon’s mind, any sonic universe is possible. The straight low pad of “Due Process” flows on a kaleidoscopic background, energized by a danceable bass drum. Second cut, “Vertical Hold”, is a wicked amazing sequential madness from a dreamlike dance floor. “Transition Area” seeks and finds out the depth, a mental mantra to disappear in. The rhythmic and mechanical arpeggiator of “Total Vehicle” drive us to a dancing frenetic hypnosis. And, finally, “Assembly Building”, unfolds a fine-draw and imaginative minimalistic groove.
Juan Atkins – Martians At Work EP [PARTOUT4.01]
For the 5th release of the label, Partout welcomes legend Juan Atkins starting the Detroit series and providing a reissue of tracks from 1993′ to 2011′.
John Shima – The Lonely Machine [FS019]
Hailing from the heartland of British techno, Sheffield’s John Shima is one of the leading lights of UK electronics. Now Shima is returning to FireScope with his long awaiting debut album, The Lonely Machine. John Shima is a master melody weaver, with this first LP attesting to his deftness of touch. Celestial chords and star gazing synthwork permeate this ten track odyssey. The musical heritage of Shima’s hometown, the elegance, majesty and subtlety of British electronics, is invoked from the needle drop. A range of influences come to the fore in this 2LP. Skirting around the edges of astral ambience and tonal texture are nods to industrial history, the rasp and resonance of rhythms in “Empires”, with the inspiration of Detroit surfacing in the future funk of “Phase Distortion” and “Linear.” Dreamscapes are painted in delicate hues, the fragile movements of “Accepting”, with brooding works adopting thicker basslines and ruffled notes as with “Distrust.” Nevertheless, it is the incandescent brightness of Lonely Machine that truly shines. Radiant pieces of elating electronics, complex and joyful compositions that chime with unbridled hope and open-hearted optimism.
Jeff Mills – The Director’s Cut Chapter 3 [AX080DC]
Four track EP containing 2 remastered cuts and two unreleased tracks by Jeff Mills on his own Axis label. Note by Jeff Mills: ”Looking back in hindsight to the activity and accomplishments of Axis is with much pride – to witness the relationship between the music and listener evolving to this point. The Director’s Cut reissue project is about manicuring detail. It’s about a rare opportunity to enhance what we’ve done so that the relationship strengthens for the long term”
Splice – Kobold [KEY013]
Splice is the a.k.a. of Elias Landberg from Skudge. The fact that he released already on Skudge, Arsenik and Non Series… is a perfect picture of his taste. Repetitive, trippy and groovy, the perfect combination for dancers or dreamers. Close your eyes and start the journey.
Moving Thoughts – Kwantum [KEY012]
This EP represents in full effect the evolution of the solid duo from Utrecht. Four tracks where they show their roots and their influences, that definitely are techno. They don’t like to be too exposed; they like to share their concept through their music.
Luke Hess – Supercinema 002 [SUPERCINEMA002]
Every night, the young men’s dreams are invaded by space shuttles and alien creatures. Every morning, the two guys try to keep the sounds of those hallucinations alive. For the second EP, Supercinema Records welcome Detroit veteran techno producer Luke Hess.
Colophon – State Vector EP [LWRC004]
Colophon returns to Lowercase Life with a 90’s vibe melancholic analog machine soul electro and techno. In true spirit, Melbournes’ talent Hymns (Salt Mines) delivered an elegant electro remix.
Die Gestalten – Wir Sind Die Gestalten [DIEGESTALTEN002]
Orbe – Slapback Echo EP [ASR020]
Jeff Mills – The Director’s Cut Chapter 2 [AX079DC]
The second chapter from Axis Records’ The Director’s Cut re-issue project. Jeff Mills goes back into the Axis archive to release special unreleased versions as well as iconic tracks that made the label what it is today.
The Hipodrome Of Music 