Iakovos – Adidas People [BLIQ17]

Bliq continues its quest to mine the deepest shades of techno with this release from Iakovos, who had previously appeared on the label as LowJac and in the formidable duo Deemonlover. This is sharply focused mind music layered with subtle detail and rich textures perfectly honed for hazy hours at the far reaches of the party. “Singers” melds hypnotic pads with gossamer-light threads of breakbeat and warm synth pulses, while “Evil Flower” pushes a tougher rhythmic agenda without losing the ethereal atmosphere. “Adidas People” rides on a surging kick drum pattern, but leaves ample room for a distant drone, and then “Hackney Tower” heads into edgier territory with all manner of obtuse angles and unnerving sound effects pivoting around the insistent drum core of the track.

listen

Iakovos – Adidas People [BLIQ17]

Stephen Lopkin – Southside Engineering [BK016]

Stephen Lopkin’s singular doses of electro-tinged house music have pretty much become Glasgow’s ‘finest”. While everyone else is out snoozing to some deep house and mild-mannered tech, this dude packs a punch each and every time he drops a new release onto our charts. Just in time for the year’s end, Lopkin drops Southside Engineering on the sublime Bokhari imprint, and these five metallic dance bombs are enough to make any serious Drexcyia fan think that, yes, there might be a way forwards after all! Full of adrenaline and electrifying swing, you can count on this gear to keep you up and running all night long – even the Ikpathua remix of “Light From Light” has its own particular way of expressing energy and a solid groove.

listen

Stephen Lopkin – Southside Engineering [BK016]

Garrett David – Live From The Dog Cave [LT045]

One of Chicago’s finest production and DJ talents, and a close Stateside Lobster family member – Garrett David – returns for a studio-focused foray into Chicago’s sonic house music history.

listen

Garrett David – Live From The Dog Cave [LT045]

V.V.A.A. – Struments 005 [STRUMENTS005]

The free will of Struments has led them to concentrate in one 12inch the encyclopedic knowledge of Marc Pinol, a duo of kids that present themselves as T.A.L., and the responsible for all that, Spastor, that appears in a remix signed by Florian Kupfer. Lliure Albir sounds as if Pinol was dazzled by the light of a lantern in a chill out while Paranoid London resound in the next room. In his remix, Palms Trax bet on tom toms and certain tribal groove, adding soft eighties keyboards, deep atmosphere, speeches and dub deliriums that perfectly fit in the freak universe of Pinol. Florian Kupfer remix made of Spastor’s Death In La Paz: a hit made in the German musician style whose groove is created by a fold in the sound and the apparent imbalance it has with the bass drum. If after this dawn breaks, it will not be small thing. T.A.L. are guided by a retro-spatial pulse to open a fan of sounds that expands and contracts threateningly, and delicately form what looks like an EBM hit stripped of the hammers.

listen

V.V.A.A. – Struments 005 [STRUMENTS005]

Alphonse – Tribes Of Atlantis EP [WRECKS015]

The last Klasse Wrecks release of 2017 comes from Alphonse. The four tracks on the ‘Tribes of Atlantis’ EP display an acute and developed knowledge of all things House and Techno, fizzing with bonafide analog production the EP goes on a journey of warm deepness, clunky baselines and loose grooves.

listen

Alphonse – Tribes Of Atlantis EP [WRECKS015]

Man Power & Last Waltz – Tistish b/w Nee Shitteru [ESP069]

Man Power returned to his Northern home for one Last Waltz. This is their joint offering for the ESP Institute. On side A, Man Power welcomes us with Tistish, stepping slightly out of his comfort zone and employing a boxy breakbeat to create a dose movement. This contrasts his signature fatty bassline and together they establish a ground on which to stack layers of atonal square and sawtooth waves. About halfway through he introduces a massively seductive string lead and for the remainder of the ride this palette of sounds coalesce in dark orchestral beauty. On side B, Man Power’s cohorts Last Waltz deliver Nee Shitteru, a true stomper of a track complete with in-your-face toms and off-time percussion patterns, an intense driving acid line, and aggressive shamanic chanting. Throw in some crash cymbals, sci-fi sound effects and a smattering of gamelan and it amounts to an overwhelmingly chaotic and psychedelic trip. These two songs will have you speaking in tongues.

listen

Man Power & Last Waltz – Tistish b/w Nee Shitteru [ESP069]

C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

CPU’s homage to the Roland TR-808, the drum machine ubiquitous on binary imprint. CPU label boss Chris Smith has meticulously rebuilt the drum tracks of classic electro funk records known for their pioneering and influential use of the 808. Strictly for DJs and MCs, this is an essential tool for remixing, looping or laying vocals over. Cut loud and ready for battle.

listen

C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

San Francisco label Left Hand Path’s latest record is a contemporary techno opus, featuring four tracks, each with a distinct sound and feel, designed to set off a dancefloor and invigorate your stereo. Cool dripping Electro cuts from Johnny Igaz aka Nackt.

listen

Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

Bitterfeld is most known for their production of drain-pipes, paper-roofing and it’s amazing chemical production industry but it’s a little known fact that Bitterfeld are also responsible for the production of amazing music. Some 900 years after the city’s foundation they’ve finally found the time to establish a music label to reflect the city’s rich musical heritage. The first release comes from Guy Contact. Expect chemical influenced electro, acid and house.

listen

Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

Younger Rebinds – Retro7 EP [RB067]

Younger Rebinds is a new project and imaginary band by the inimitable and unstoppable Benny Rodrigues. Maybe best-known for his Rod moniker and releases on Klockworks, Rodrigues embodies and keeps the candour, spirit and curiosity that made techno music stand out in its start-up years – and that’s exactly what we have here. The “Retro 7 Ep” makes the most of the classic 707 drum machine, gnarly synths, ambient soundscapes, pianos and organs. Done in a way that is as much new wave, as it is electronic disco. Spread out over a double-pack with eight tracks (8!, get it), the Younger Rebinds hit the sweet spot between vintage DJ Hell aesthetics, Sterac Electronics and Trevor Jackson’s Metal Dance dogma, if its choir would be muted. Loud pressing and hypnotic artwork included. Please don’t look at it for more than 5 minutes.

listen

Younger Rebinds – Retro7 EP [RB067]

Domenic Cappello – The Intruder EP [NR04]

Alongside long-term DJ partner Harri, Domenic Cappello has been a Sub Club resident since 1994. He has released many records under many guises yet this is his first EP under his own name. 2017 also marks 30 years of Sub Club and it feels fitting for such two landmarks to dovetail as they have. The Intruder EP is 3 brilliant tracks that come from a lifetime spent in music.

listen

Domenic Cappello – The Intruder EP [NR04]