UK duo at the forefront of the 4core scene, pushing to recreate the sound of acid summer ’89. Particularly influenced by European pool parties, ATX combines house music with classic acid and floated euphorics, intended to submerge listeners in hot waves of summer daze. Featuring the “Breaky Baby MixX’ by Dj Normal 4 on the flip-side.
Low Tape debuts on X-Kalay with a massive 5 tracker of emotive electro and acid. The Russian producer showcases a real talent in creating a versatile and diverse EP; expertly balancing functional club weight and subtle melodic sensibility. Title track Road Valley is a case in point; carried by a wistful melody line, the track is underpinned by flickering percussion, deep pads and a warm rumbling bass. Red Lights in ma Eyes utilizes a punchy, swung electro groove whilst celestial pads play out under a dripping acid line. Acid Television switches things up with a hammering sawtooth bass, whilst the sharp percussion and cold synths lend a distinctively mysterious, almost noir-esque feel… On Technovia the 303 makes a return – driving acid, urgent percussion and tense pads combine for another slick club cut. Finally, the drifting pads and soaring melodies of ‘Why is Life so Strange’ conclude things perfectly with shimmering melancholy and introspection.
Estonian electro, perfect for the club or walks home on snowy cobblestones on dark winter nights. Kadajane balances hard hitting dance floor tracks with 6am existentialism in his latest EP ‘Rostok’ for local imprint Päästevest.
Marlon Hoffstadt drops a two part EP of original material titled ‘Law Of Attraction’ on Midnight Themes series. For ‘Part One’, he delivers four bold tracks, building bridges between classic sounds and a distinct knack for melodies. It’s uplifting techno for a hopeful future and these killer cuts are ready and waiting to hit the dancefloors.
Over the last decade, few have amassed as fine a catalogue of revivalist Italo-disco, EBM and synth-wave cuts than The Revolving Eyes. It’s because of this that each new release from the Belgian duo is worth a listen. Predictably, there’s plenty of dark and clandestine fodder to be found on The Nature And The Metal, their first release of 2018. Highlights include the foreboding horror chords, psychedelic acid lines and metronomic throb of “Beautiful Sadness”, the rising orchestration and clicking drum machine hits of “Monotrance” and the ragged and distorted, acid-EBM fusion of the titanium-clad “Ritual Serenade”. The title track, which closes the EP, is alo sublime: a clanking industrial workout smothered in far-sighted, futurist techno synths.
Four recent tape warmed recordings that cover a spectrum of vibes from sample-choped groove, deep house and emotive italo-house. A soundtrack to the changing cityscape and its Utopian promises.
Glasgow’s Stephen Lopkin presents the “Imitator EP”, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the golden era of techno. Four tracks covering a broad range of styles from Detroit to the classic UK sound of the 90s. Serene electronics abound though every track packs a considerable punch making this EP as at home for home listening as it is for packing out the dancefloor.
Darker days are coming. BAR02 is a haunting and slightly dramatic winterproof ep. Zombies in Miami from Mexico created 2 tracks that would fit in a scary eighties movie. Haunted Strasse being the one that builds up, Mirrors representing the Climax. On the other side local act Pin Up Club created an ‘out of your comfort zone’ epic clubtrack which very accurately defines the word drama.
Think about the early house mid 80’s scene, and the talent of two stellar producers like Arthur Russell and Bob Blank who don’t need any introduction. Timeless underground tune.
An insanely difficult record to find featuring Master Plan, with synthesizers by Tom O’Callaghan and vocals by Pepper Gomez, ‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ was born in the early Chicago House Days and went on to achieve cult status and become part of the history of House forever.
For his latest release on Bordello, Uabos builds on his past sound while folding new elements into his layered style. “Shadow” is the eponymous introduction, a track that sways between dawn and dusk, light and dark, as it dances between bright addictive keys and twilight tones. That search for contrast is carried into the thick beats of “Egoland”, beats countered by cascading notes that slip and slide from sweetened funk to devil-may-care debauchery. Industrial undercurrents and greying skies arrive with the Chicago inspired fuel that is “Elevator.” The curtain fall comes in the aptly named “Emotion.” A supremely powerful piece of snapping snares, full-bodied bass and cutting keys for a terrific finale for a terrific 12”.
Two excellent production from Ron Trent. Aquarhythmatica comes from the Prescription era and it was produced together with Anthony Nicholson. City Beat was included in Ron’s 2009 album ‘Dance Classic’. Two absolute gems of deep house music at its best.
The Hipodrome Of Music 