Dutch techno producer from Utrecht, Quince, makes a return with “Anthology of Interest”, his first proper record in eight years, a four tracker versatile EP on the illustrious Nowhere series.
Quince – Anthology of Interest [NOWHERE04]
detroit techno
Jeff Mills – The Other Maria [AX114]
As Jeff Mills returns to his third deepest obsession after 909s and UFOs, he presents an addendum to his renewed Metropolis Metropolis soundtrack which doubles down on three of the themes and gives them a different framework through the lens of a 12″. This is still the more cinematic end of the Millsian spectrum, but there’s some intensity which may well be of use to the more dramatic or daring techno DJ. Another great serving by the maestro from Detroit.
DJ Surgeles – Triglav [TECH-UM313003]
The exploration craft Isis001, a spaceship sent by humanity, has crashed into the unknown world of Triglav, with one of the most important discoveries in galactic history. Below, a handful of humans fight an armed group of outsiders and the entire hostile planet to protect the secret – the fate of the Triglavs, the legendary first species to show wisdom in the stars. Over time, the group of astronauts begins to understand what is going on on the planet,and begins to understand Triglav’s secret, but will they be able to return to our planet and share the secret about Triglav? Triglav’s heads were believed to represent Sky, Earth and the Underworld. It was believed that Triglav has three heads because he ruled these three kingdoms and had a golden binding over his eyes and lips so he could not see people’s sins nor speak about them.
XDB vs. Kryptic Universe – Lockertmatik 014 [LOCKERTMATIK014]
Great deep techno on this collaborative split release between XDB and Kryptic Universe! They’re bringing 2 of their favorite cuts onto the table. C.O.N. and Cloud Riders do dive deep and relentlessly into dub techno territory.
Stojche – Granada [SYNCRO39]
Macedonian-in-Berlin Stojche continues his faithful exploration of deeper strains of techno with this entry for esteemed French label Synchrophone. It’s the first time the Tangible Assets artist has appeared on the label, and he does so with the statement drop of just one original tune, the frankly epic ‘Granada’. Laying down a swirling dream of synth strings and fluttering Rhodes, the core of the track is a soothing balm driven by bouncy, strident 909 kicks, but the real magic comes from the switch up as the pads give way to fast-paced, classically informed techno rush right up there with the best of Detroit. Meanwhile, the B-side is handed over to Gerard Hanson aka Convextion, who delivers a version which submerges the broad sweeping pads and focuses on building the forwards momentum.
Derek Carr – Allez EP [TRECS008]
Derek Carr has been pretty untouchable in the last couple of years. His work in the fields of deep house and deep techno has been consistently innovative and captivating. He takes care of the eighth EP on the Trident label now with more of his serene sound designs and dynamic grooves. ‘Allez’ heads off into the cosmos with balmy pads and smooth drums then acid lashes about the mix of ‘I Want You’ which rides a nice tight, clipped, locked-in drum line. Things get more loose and star gazing on ‘Revival’ while ‘Typhoon’ closes with playful synth patterns tumbling down over invitingly warm deep house drums.
Millsart – Inner Eye [AX111]
Axis Expressionist Series is a collection of vinyl and limited digital releases, curated by Millsart, an alias of Jeff Mills, of his most eclectic and transcendent compositions that derive from his Every Dog Has Its Day project as well as new unreleased works. “Inner Eye” and “That Voodoo You Do” were originally released in digital as “Every Dog Has Its Day vol.12” (2020). “Nocturnal Moves” was originally released in digital as “Every Dog Has Its Day vol.9” (2020).
Sterac – Teknitron EP [DSR/STC5]
This fifth EP in the Steve Rachmad re-issue series contains a colorful combination of three tracks from different releases. Side A brings the sought after track ‘Teknitron’, originally released on his 3rd EP, originally released under his short-lived alias Black Scorpion back in 1995. ‘Transpose’ is taken from his first Sterac EP from 1994, while the last tracks ‘Alastria’ comes from his second album Thera, originally released in 1998. All tracks are re-mastered of course. Steve Rachmad’s richly melodic strain of techno has resulted in a huge body of work he has been growing since the early 90s. His sound is the perfect distillation of machine soul – dubby atmospherics and crisp, danceable dynamics balanced in perfect unison. Amsterdam’s Delsin Records gathers together some of the Dutch techno figurehead’s most important, sought-after works in a new EP series, all remastered from the original DAT tapes from Steve’s archives.
Augustus Williams – Increaser EP [M049]
With Augustus Williams, Juan Atkins’ newly signed artist, Metroplex Records welcomes one of Detroit’s new generation of electro and techno explorers to the label. His debut, titled ,,Increaser EP” offers four tracks of celestial funk, deeply indebted to the classic sound of Metroplex. The EP starts off with ,,The Hook-Up”, a bouncy yet minimal electro permutation built around a propulsive bassline and a percolating synth arpeggio. On the other three tracks Williams flexes his techno muscle and shows his keen sense for deep and focused techno-soul with a futurist edge that has any dance floor heaving with energy. – most notably in the noisy abstractions of ,,Submission”.
Jon Hester – Continuum EP [ODDEVEN041]
Berlin-based American Jon Hester presents some fierce-driving techno tracks on his latest release on Odd Even Records, with a clear Motor City influence.
Kenny Hooper – Detroit Orbiter Vol.2 [ELY111]
Young Detroit-native Kenny Hooper steps up for his debut release on Elypsia Records with not one but three 12 inches full of prime Motor City techno and electro escapism. Titled ,,Detroit Orbiter Volume 1 – 3″, each EP features four tracks, showcasing Hooper’s brilliant personal take on classic Detroit sounds. The twelve tracks of the ,,Detroit Orbiter” trilogy signal the arrival of yet another Motor City talent ready to rake the world and dance floors by storm with his chunky and funkafied sonic fictions.
Eduardo De La Calle – Kardama EP [FP007]
Futurepast presents a new release from Spanish producer and DJ Eduardo De La Calle. “Kardama” emerged as the winter of 2022 bled into 2023, a period where he’d actually been producing more downtempo works. As a reflective work, De La Calle processes emotions and thoughts with analog methods, reverse delays and pedals on “Kardama”. The emotions that he holds close to himself show up in the detail that sits deeper within each track.
Shifted Phases – The Cosmic Memoirs Of The Late Great Rupert J. Rosinthrope [TRESOR196LPX]
Tresor Records reissue the sole output from Shifted Phases entitled “The Cosmic Memoirs Of The Late Great Rupert J. Rosinthrope”. Initially released in 2002, soon after James Stinson passed away, this LP plays a mysterious and compelling role in the Drexciya journey. While other records of Drexciya and related projects have received numerous reprints and editions, The Cosmic Memoirs… has remained out of print since its release. This rarity leaves it more open to interpretation with its place in the Drexciyan storm series, as it became increasingly hard to find and underexplored. This reissue does not merely close the loop on Tresor’s reissue series of the Drexciya catalogue but brings Shifted Phases to fresh ears more than other records.
Knowone – 2.5 [KNWN2.5]
KNWN 2.5, the latest release from the Berlin-based label and artist Knowone, is a stunning exploration of atmospheric techno and ambient soundscapery. Deep dubby Basic Channel inspired techno tracks.
Luke Hess – Psalm EP [200-045]
Luke Hess’ latest EP ‘Psalm’ is a captivating journey into the deeper and more chord-heavy realms of dub techno.
Halvtrak – Digital Dawn [BLOW12]
Halvtrak returns to Cold Blow with techno-romantic rave escapism, riding Chi House-leaning rhythms and intergalactic Techno sculptures. If his previous “Images By Night” dealt with things nocturnal, Digital Dawn opens the curtains to a blue-eyed retrofuturism, bursting with colour and spark.
Kenny Hooper – Detroit Orbiter Vol.1 [ELY110]
Young Detroit-native Kenny Hooper, former member of Scan 7, steps up for his debut release on Elypsia Records with not one, not two but three 12 inches full of prime Motor City techno and electro escapism. Titled ,,Detroit Orbiter Series” Volume I, II and III, each EP features four tracks, showcasing Kenny Hooper’s brilliant and contemporary personal take on classic Detroit sounds. The twelve tracks of the ,,Detroit Orbiter Series” trilogy signal the arrival of a fresh Motor City talent ready to rake the world and dance floors by storm with his chunky and funkified sonic fictions.
O-Wells – Liquid Sun EP [A.R.T.LESSXTR1]
O-Wells aka Frankfurt Bass is back on Mojuba sub label a.r.t.less with some very tasty life affirming sun showered Detroit Techno for your heart and soul. This special musical treat called Liquid Sun comes in four different mixes to suit your every needs from club dance floors to living rooms and beyond.
Steve Rachmad – Midnight Magic [ITF09]
Hollands’ finest Detroit Techno producer is back in great shape with 3 tracks full of mysterious chords, groovy basslines and subtle charm that are simply too catchy to be missed. Typical Steve Rachmad style.
Jeff Mills – Metropolis Metropolis [AX107]
”Metropolis Metropolis” album is an abbreviated version of the most recent electronic music soundtrack for Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) by Jeff Mills. Unlike his first soundtrack version (released in 2011) where tracks addressed specific segments of the film in a track listing form, this version is more a symbiotic mix of compositions that proposes a nuanced representation of the plot and storyline. As an electronic symphonic music creation, Mills proposes a few interesting points in the schematics of this album. First, the positioning and role of the listener as the soundtrack is based on the environment of the scenes, rather than pure transcription and second, as a storyline that takes place in the year 2000, the choice of sound elements refer to some future commonality and foresight between the genres of Classical and Electronic music – between man and machine.
The Hipodrome Of Music 