Semantica Records marks 10 years with a worldwide tour and a 10 release series in 2016. Semantica 10.I features tracks from Donato Dozzy, Mod21, Stanislav Tolkachev and Skirt in a 4 track EP.
minimal techno
Donato Dozzy / Retina.it – Officine Di Efesto [SEM075]
Officine Di Efesto is the latest 12″slab from Svreca’s ever on-point Semantica featuring remixes of two uncredited tracks from Donato Dozzy and Naples duo Retina.It, and the lack of further information doesn’t lessen the sonic impact. Dozzy features on the A-side, with his remix of “Automa Talos” a potent exercise in unrelenting techno hypnosis with a strange looped sound that is weirdly reminiscent of ducks quacking present throughout. The Retina.It take on “Automa Pandora” is a much more stripped back, minimal affair that is just as effective.
Eduardo De La Calle – Kashma [STEP008]
Spell PETS backwards to get STEP. Spell STEP forwards to find PETS going back to basics. STEP is the new concept vinyl only label from the founder of PETS, Catz ‘N Dogz, that highlights the rawest forms and root functions of quality club music. STEP finds the fundamental groove with undertheradar house and techno that is isn’t afraid to be rough around the edges. STEP is limited promo and all about the music. Each new STEP will be released every four months on vinyl only.
Etapp Kyle – Continuum EP [UTON008]
As with his previous releases Etapp Kyle captures his playful, multi-layered Techno endeavours with single-word track titles: Continuum EP starts off with Opto, an atmospheric track with fazing bleeps, ensouled synths and subdued claps – a prime example of his great feel for musical detail. Ahora builds upon this vibe with more asynchronous drum patterns, well placed drips of melody, distant pulses, mesmerizing pads and hints of rattles amongst other percussion. The EPs title track Continuum is distinctive through its use of industrial hammer jabs and reduced, puzzling synth pads that are counteracted by a more dominant, steady and stubborn kick drum. Limb contrasts unconventional pulsating, hypnotic synth tones with sharp claps and snare sounds, and rounds off this 12“ of all new, puristic and futurist Techno, catering as much to the darker corners as to the brightest spots of the dance floor.
UnCUT – Beneath EP [SUBTL010]
“It’s one year since we started this adventure and we want to celebrate pressing our first vinyl. For this special event we have onboard one of our best friends and someone we respect massively, no other than Oscar Mulero. He his providing two futuristic reworks of UnCUT’s track Beneath, floor orientated but mental at the same time, with flanged synth sequences and scientific drum programming making two techno tools that will crush sound systems worldwide.”
J.C. – The Rebellion of the Overman Part 1 [CBR001]
J.C. aka Jose Cabrera is launching his own new label, Cabrera. This 1st release that includes a strong remix by Jonas Kopp will be the starting point of an adventurous fresh new Techno label that is promising to reach for the dark corners of the dancefloors.
VA – Strange Science EP [ICR003]
Invite’s Choice Records starts 2016 with a bang and releases another 4-track EP with 4 different tracks by 4 great artists. Jeroen Search has the honour of opening the EP with a four to the floor track which gets you with it’s sporadic melodramatic sting. Perfect for switching between the more deeper and more straightforward parts of your set. Adam Craft continues with a loop-track which is built around it’s powerful and deep bass. Thessaloniki based Endlec is responsible for the first track of the B-side and comes up with a track dominated by it’s percussive yet simple drive and a synthy vibe which, together with it’s short length, draws you in and sends you off in another direction quite soon. TNTUS closes the EP with a track that fits Invite’s style quite well; a drumcomputer-driven track complimented with a chaotic, repetitive synth: madness guaranteed!
Robert Hood – Paradygm Shift Volume 1 [DKMNTL031]
Dekmantel announce an exciting new project by the impeccable Robert Hood. Over the course of three different EPs and an album, the Detroit legend presents Paradygm Shift. Hood: ‘The idea behind Paradygm Shift is similar to a shift in our focus. We can become so complacent; we are so comfortable with our surroundings, I think this is the time for electronic music to find a new mindset.’
Luigi Tozzi – Quetzalcóatl [HYPNUS009]
30drop – History Of Gods EP [30D004]
30drop Records announce the fourth release of its project, under the same name. “History of Gods” is an EP that envelopes us in a rhythmic spiral, taking us straight to the dance floor of the space. Four amazing tracks: three originals and a remix by the historic technomaster Steve Rachmad, as Sterac. The festive opening vibration of “Transversal Sight”, the schizoid cosmic rhythm of “History Of Gods”, from the prism of 30drop or based on the vision of Sterac, and the galactic depth of “Complex Entropy” all define a solid work that takes us to the very depths of sacred geometry.
Binny – Shlaguance EP [CLFT010]
Electronic Body Techno with a touch of cosmic-retroesque Axis atmosphere by Liverpudlian Binny. “Rotate” not only features all the usual hallmarks of the early Purposemaker sound, such as overdriven kick, clattering/rusty high-hats and grinding SH-101 basslines: it even features improvised snare rolls that you’d hear The Wizard himself playing live! “Spirit” matches the icon’s new found love of the 303, but no doubt Binny’s own take on the sound, that’s a given. On the flip “TG-33” sounds like another segment from Live At The Liquid Room complete with DX7 organ stabs and more epic 909 drum rolls. Some pretty epic stuff on here that stands out from the rest of the current tributes.
The Invariants – TI003 [TI003]
The Invariants are back with a new record in similar fashion. Synths to mess with the mind, hypnotising drums to stimulate the body. The A side features a jam in two parts supplemented by two acid filled cuts on the second side.
Abstract Division – Contemporary Spaces [DREF028]
Reflection is beginning 2016 with the long awaited return of Abstract Division to their native imprint, by the release of their first ever double EP: Contemporary Spaces. Not set out to be an album, but certainly being more than just an EP, Contemporary Spaces explores the current state of techno, providing the listener with wayward and timeless pieces drawing their inspiration from the broad spectrum of electronic music. Yet, while each individual track stands in its own place and time within this spectrum, the EP as a whole compliments the diversity of past, present and future influences and styles. Contemporary Spaces is one of their most extensive and widely aimed projects to date and solely consists of original material.
Jeff Mills – Exhibitionist 2: Part 3 [AX069]
The third EP of the Exhibitionist 2 EP series is here. The recordings are taken from Jeff Mills‘ live performance in Leiden, Netherlands on 21st February 2015 and bring the EP series to a close after two first EPs which focused on the studio mix part of the follow up to his groundbreaking 2004 film Exhibitionist.
Stanislav Tolkachev – Hesitation EP [RRR007]
Raw Raw Records presents their first vinyl release, by Stanislav Tolkachev. Four tracks with a melancolic techno vibe.
Endlec / Euskalraver – Split EP 3 [COT015]
The debut of Endlec & Euskalraver on Children Of Tomorrow who delivered some proper massive timeless Techno on this last split EP.
Zadig – The Stellar Hunter EP [TRESOR283]
Tresor unveils the debut EP from the hand of Zadig. With ”The Stellar Hunter” he delivers three tracks rich in tradition, matching impeccably to his style, arrangemental magic and masterful set of technique. Between elongated synth pads, high-frequency blips and reversed kick drum sequences coupler with deep hypnotic bass lines, Zadig proves to be the talented recipient of an illustrious heritage in techno, carrying it forward with modern application.
Alphadrum – Unexplained Sounds EP [SYM016]
Ben Sims’ Symbolism imprint sets out with a blistering four tracker from Alphadrum. Rigourously roadtested by Sims himself over the past six months, this is an essential release from young italian producer, Alphadrum.
Jamaica Suk – THUMP Guest Mix
Tensal – Tensal E [TENSAL005]
The new Tensal E is an effective DJ tool directly to the dance floor. Heavy techno bangers with a soundscapey character.
The Hipodrome Of Music 