The Romanian duo Khidja are again on (Emotional) Especial with some beautiful electronix with a bit of early disco, krautrock and balearic feel to it with some added Middle Eastern vibes.
romanian
Cosmin Trg – Uzura / Vitriol [FIZIC002]
Following almost a year of studio silence, Cosmin TRG returns with two stunning techno tracks.”Uzura” is the darkest, most abrasive music that the Romanian producer has released. Drums pound frenetically, the rhythm is plunged down a soot-caked wind tunnel and the end result is a track so frenetic and extreme that it makes everything else he has done seem understated. Even “Vitriol” doesn’t have the same clout. Like “Uzura”, it too is caked in a grimy coat, but is slower and more teased. That said, the gurgling acid lines and intense, modulating climaxes ensure that it is Cosmin Nicolae’s most visceral record to date.
Cosmjn – Drops [FRAGIL014]
Fragil Musique’s 14th release comes from Cosmjn, young and rising Romanian producer delivering a perfect and subtly crafted dancefloor outline. To elevate the gem even more, none other than Marcellus Pittman on the B side. Here, it’s all a matter of generous and appealing curves, for a deep and soft-spoken re arrangement that keeps true to the original.
Andrew Red Hand – For My Mother [MOSDEEP023]
The Dutch label MOS starts another international affair for its MOS Deep offshoot: Romanian Andrew Red Hand. Andrew, who has been called the Romanian Underground Resistance, has a long history of DJing and making Detroit inspired techno and electro and across four tracks here, his analogue house with crisp drums and searing acid all burst out of the speakers and into your affections. ‘My Guarding Angel’ is manic and frantic at the same time as been emotionally sensitive thanks to the way cowbells and coarse claps are off set with rich, heart warming chords and teary eyed strings. ‘Never Be The Same’ is then a busy cut stuffed with arpeggiated bass, bright melodies, glassy chords and plenty of reflective surfaces. It’s a feast for your ears that really shines brightly. ‘Shattered Soul’ is another track awash with trilling glassy sounds, echoing melodies and oodles of atmospheric texture all married to hurried techno drums. Calm and serene yet forceful and energetic, that same duality is apparent in ‘Mourning My Mother’, a sombre cut with classic Chi town percussion and drums all weighted down by long tailed pads and poignant chords. This is music that works on head and heel in equal measure.
Ivel Tax – Idel de fel [DB009]
Disco Birds is starting the year 2015 with the label head Levente Imre Takacs aka Ivel Tax. The Romanian born producer brings up his past and current ideas into one full album release, entitled Idel de fel.
Romansoff – Overdose Alert [BM002]
Smoking house jamz from Bucharest’s best kept secret. Romansoff made his introduction already with the powerful Raw Tools series. We’re happy to present his debut on Bitter Moon with this amazing four tracker.
Tanz Ohne Muzik – Belong [RDCVT014]
“The new Tanz Ohne Musik seems to be a small step back to the synthpop / minimal wave sound of earlier releases and away from the Galakhorrö angstpop. A small step though. Like on “Between Our Body Shapes” there are still heavy Galakthorrö influences, but Tanz Ohne Musik seems to be working more towards their own sound; an interesting sound! Most tracks have a slow, analogue sound with typical vocals. Some tracks tend more towards minimal wave, other more towards angstpop, but most are somewhere in between.” gangleri
Romansoff – Dog Days [RUFFDRAFT005]
Lisière Collectif – Les sons de la Lisière [MG055]
Nice moody deep melodic techno tracks on Detroits Moods & Grooves records. Ploiesti Romania area childhood friends Andu Simion, Dan Gheorghe and Bogdan Ardeleanu are inspired by Detroit’s house sound and Berlin’s techno. Their resulting collaboration is best described as “deep techno” and their first release is appropriately on Moods & Grooves known for pushing both envelopes. ‘Les sons de la Lisière’ is a reflection of the beauty and silence of nature found in the suburbs of Ploiesti.
Vlad Caia – Codex EP [AMP007]
It’s been a little while since a fresh injection of refined minimal techno was issued from Vlad Caia, but now the Romanian stalwart is back with a fresh pair of subtle gems for Amphibia, with whom he dropped the Projections EP back in 2012. “Voluspa” is a cyclical workhorse powered by undulating bass synths and swirling pads with a decidedly cosmic flavour to them, working just enough dubby flourishes into the mix to keep things fluid and warm. “Behind The Black Meadow” by contrast takes a slender funk to task with the finest slithers of percussion and a yearning line in melodics as expressed through heavy doses of filtering for a truly subconscious slice of micro house.
Romansoff – Rage Machine EP [MRI002]
Borrowed Identity – Feeling Blue EP [HOMETAPING019]
By all accounts Romanian producer Borrowed Identity is having a splendid 2014. Currently based in Berlin taking political refuge from his homeland, the producer has already racked up strong 12″ releases. This 12″ for the evergreen Hometaping is Killing Music label shows how diverse Borrowed Identity’s range can be, dipping into similar sample laden territory to MCDE with sublime results. It’s apparent from the off with “Feeling Blue” centred around a lovely chord refrain that hooks you as soon as it drops, whilst “Nation Under A Groove” nudges the tempo up a few notches before the mood eases back down with the pair of beatdown burners on the flip. Strong four track EP with some solid sample driven tracks. Effective and tasteful house music.
Cosmin TRG – Repetitiv / Vernacular [FIZIC001]
‘Fizic’ is the next natural step for accomplished techno producer Cosmin TRG. Having released on an influential array of labels in the last few years, the Romanian is now branching out on his own with an imprint that will serve as a further extension of himself, his sonic preferences and his interest in artistic imagery. Releasing esoteric techno aimed largely at the dancefloor and purely from his own studio, Fizic releases will come accompanied with Cosmin’s own photography as well as occasional videos. Coming in both vinyl and digital format, the label serves as a combination of a need for a more personal, dedicated approach, a desire for artistic freedom and is born from ‘a slightly egocentric tendency, with the sole purpose of creating unique, high quality audio-visual products.
Jay Bliss – Tardigrade EP [AUTO019]
Its fairly safe to say that Jay Bliss is on fire at the moment. Now he takes time out from his recently launched “Stomping Grounds” imprint to follow up on his 2013 appearance with OCH on “The Remix EP”. Here the warm, punchy 9 minute A-side creates a highly seductive floor-tension. Flip the disc over for two modern take’s on minimalism, possibly paying homage to Studio One or Basic Channel with persistent rhythms, undertones of original dub, shaken and stirred with plenty off Jay Bliss magic.
Romansoff – It Works Podcast #25
Borrowed Identity – Bang Bang Boogie EP [FINA015]
FINA Records marks its fifteenth release this with Borrowed Indentity’s ‘Bang Bang Boogie’, a four-track single of rugged house and disco grooves. Romanian born now Germany based join the FINA Records roster, a fitting placement for his soul-laden electronic sound.
Bacauanu – Bacauanu [PLZ012]
New Romanian project called Bacauanu with some excellent hypnotic Romanian House style on Pleasure Zone label.
The Hipodrome Of Music 