dub techno
Deadbeat – Radio Rothko [AG052]
Deadbeat will release a new mix CD called Radio Rothko on Brooklyn’s The Agriculture imprint later this year.
Comprising artists such as DeepChord, Monolake, Quantec and Pendle Coven, Radio Rothko presents a healthy mix of dub techno’s classics and contemporaries, with a notable emphasis on the work of Basic Channel’s Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald. The mix takes advantage of the music’s spacious and atmospheric nature, bubbling up into a more dance floor-friendly centre before showcasing the dubbier end of the dub techno spectrum.
Mohlao – Inhale [BlueS03]
Deep dusty ambient pieces on this new label. This is one of those things one keeps on playing over and over while working or just hanging out. Very minimalized tracks with a strong focus which results in a certain tranquility that brings a escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Djorvin Clain – The 1st Understanding [BLUESERIES002.1]
First release on this new label that will release very small editions with post Detroit techno tracks. Inspired on the early works, but evolved into a unique 2010 version of it that probably shouldn’t be called Detroit techno anymore. However if there are is anything that comes to our mind hearing these tracks it is names such as Detroit Escalator Company and Duplex.
Quantec – Synchroton [BLUES01.1]
Piece Communications is a new designer label from two techno aficionados. They’ll not try to sell as many as possible, but just want to release music they love them self… for sure it will not everyone’s cup of tea.. but for others this is one of the highlights of the new year already! Quantec delivers some smoking hot dubby techno tracks as we expect him to deliver.
SCB – SCB001 [SCB001]
The remix series from Scuba’s album ‘A Mutual Antipathy’ first saw the alias SCB, as well as the well received mix on mnml ssgs, Scuba delivers the first SCB release on the same titled label. Fusing his very atmospheric and delicate brewing sound with his previously half-established four over four tradition (that got high recognition with the excellent ‘Houndreds & Thousands’ on Hotflush a year back).
Alex Cortex – I Won’t Conform [Pomelo022]
Expert techno producer Alex Cortex returns with a four tracker, which includes some of his best work to date. Alex Cortex is best known for his versatile output, from melodic downbeat electronica for labels like Ann Aimee to kicking techno or Drexciya-style electro.
Resoe – Abstrakt Dimenzions EP [echocord041]
Deep dubby techno with mixed with some dubstep influences and nice chords and beautiful atmosphere. Three great versatile tracks!
Sigha – Rawww [HFT010]
Superb techno/dubstep mixtures from Sigha dropping an understated and ice cool 12″ for Hot Flush. Rawww takes influence from the technohouse constructions of Sheds EQd project on the A-side with dub chords synced around slick sub bumps and crafty rhythm programming, achieving nearly the same levels of swing and flex as the Berlin auteur. On the flip Hold Your Heart Up To The Light switches up to a fragile dubstep construction, like a crystallized reminiscence of Scuba or T++ and Untitled#2 finishes on a kicking nautical trip, sounding like a Ben Klock cut played through a flooded Berghain. If youre into Dettmann, Shed or Scuba this is right up your street!
STL – Check Mate [EchospaceSEQ001]
STL is the production alias of Stephan Laubner who has been releasing material under a variety of pseudonym’s on labels like Perlon, Smallville, Styrax and his own Something Records imprint over the past decade. Stephan’s productions are like fine wine, they develop, mature and get better with age. His past releases have gained support and charts from Detroit luminaries like Derrick May & Theo Parrish to the Berghain collective, Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann & Steffi. His recent licensing of “Silent State” on Cassy’s new “Simply Devotion” mix on Cocoon, Ame’s Fabric mix, Steve Bug’s “The Lab” and earning the number 1 spot inGroove Magazine’s chart all speak volumes about the level of love and passion he puts into his productions. With Stephan’s “Check Mate” he pays homage to a sound we simply adore, a musical conceit only a select few understand, hand crafting his sounds with a variety of analog signal processors, vintage synthesizers and a loving touch reminiscent of the early Deepchord years. This is one to treasure, made for repeat listening!
Frozen Border – Frozen Border 04 [FB04]
Excellent dubby and Detroit influenced Techno Monster… for Fans of Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann or Berghain Berlin.
XDB – Lost Tapes [WM-50211]
Wave Music has been a beacon for quality eclectic music since its inception in 1995 by New York legend Francois Kevorkian. Never one for sticking to specific genres or styles, Wave has created a burgeoning catalogue of some of the most interesting ‘dance’ music around featuring recordings from long respected artists such as Ron Trent, Eric Kupper, Pete Heller and of course Francois alongside music from some of the freshest and most exciting new talent out there. As 2009 comes to a close the latest string in the Wave Music bow is the much hailed DJ/Producer XDB AKA Kosta Athanassiadis. Athanassiadis has been Djing since the early nineties but it’s in the last few years that his abilities as a producer have come to fore both through his recordings for labels such as Detroit’s Sistrum and the fledgling Delikat and his releases on his own Metrolux label which he founded in 2006. His latest offering in the shape of the ‘Lost Tape EP’ gives an insight into his musical outlook encompassing everything from deep, Detroit inspired house to analogue based dubby techno. The EP kicks off with ‘Gate’, a warm and sonically rich slice of future techno that draws on motor city inspired strings and pads to add depth and colour to the hypnotic rhythm track. This is simple, beautiful and engaging electronica at its best. Next up we have ‘Lost’ a synth driven workout that flows around a classic repetitive bassline that sucks the listener in from the opening bars, classic tech inspired house, brilliantly delivered. Penultimate cut ‘Sense’ see Athanassiadis take a journey in the realms of deep, dubby techno with an emphasis on understated percussion, filtered loops and a highly effective simple linear arrangement, this is a definitely a highlight for those who liked things stripped back. Finally we have ‘My Secret Garden’ a wonderful final opus that brings the melodic elements to the fore and leaves you wanting more as the EP comes to a close.
XDB is undoubtedly a raw talent in the world of electronic music drawing together influences of the past with a firm grasp of progressive production and this release for Wave will no doubt further cement his reputation as one to watch.
The Hipodrome Of Music 