Roger 23 – Future State [BAUD006]

Layered rhythms force these tracks forward to an unspoken conclusion, although there cannot be any doubt about the tracks’ intentions! Roger 23 has a reputation for producing music that combines great intuition with a roughness that is equally as challenging as it is soothing. ‘Future State’ is no exception to this rule. Bursts of melody and atmosphere draw the attention to relentless, yet not straight rhythmic patterns and vice versa. These five tracks are a remorseless leap into what dance music can be. Made with optimism and an open mind, they explore darker territories in an inviting and open-ended way. The last track on this EP being a short, blissful Ambient piece that abstractly channels the energy of the other tracks serves as one last lap on the rings of Saturn. ‘Future State’ plays with meaning, intention and focus and in the process refocuses itself time and again. It is an extremely versatile exploration that is as engaging and believing as can be.

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Roger 23 – Future State [BAUD006]

Life Recorder / Semerka – Track Mood [BH008]

Another strong Bokhari release. Beautiful deep house tracks with a hint to early Chicago and bits of the mid 90’s IDM techno wave from the UK. Side a by Life Recorder and flip side by French producer Semerka (incl Fudge Fingas remix).

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Life Recorder / Semerka – Track Mood [BH008]

Kobosil – MDR 10 [MDR010]

A new name we’re all enjoying meeting is Kobosil, and after a release on Ostgut Ton sub-label Unterton, Max Kobosil appears on Marcel Dettmann’s MDR, not a bad endorsement at all. He delivers six tracks, all of which are good, and starting with the gloomy broken-techno-beats of “Ein”, it moves into the confused computer bleeps of “Asle”, with the A-side concluding with a Giorgio Gigli-sounding “V762_Cas”. On the flip we’re met with the toxic and at some points middle-eastern sounds of a snare-skittery “Path”, while “Oath” is a dirty techno bomb. Finally there’s the industrial ambient “There” score with similar atmospherics to his aforementioned Unterton 12″.

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Kobosil – MDR 10 [MDR010]

Ø [Phase] – Remixed [TOKEN040]

Arguably the two biggest R’s in techno at the moment remix [Phase], with Rodhad revealing a more emotive side to his techno, while Robert Hood delivers the goods like only he can. Rodhad’s interpretation takes away some of the original low-end heard in “Perplexed”, resulting in something that’s groovy, but still tough, while noticeable increasing the blue-noted tones of the track. Robert Hood’s love affair with “Dirto II” continues with the Detroit legend joining in on the cold temperaments for a clinical and percussively slicing remix. With rapid fire 12″s like this, it seems trying to match Token’s dominance of club techno at the moment would be a futile act.

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Ø [Phase] – Remixed [TOKEN040]

Head Front Panel – HFP #002 [HFP002]

Some serious cool and banging techno on this 2nd Head Front Panel release, the new Tabernacle sub label with a focus on Techno. Not the looped kinda thing but proper tracks. Techno as techno once used to be… full of energy, cool sounds, exciting basslines, and no taboo’s (who the F**k gives a shit if the tracks are faster then then 125… techno never had any speed regulations). These tracks makes you wanna go to a party and rave all night long.

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Head Front Panel – HFP #002 [HFP002]

Joe Drive – Buried Truth [LXRC017]

Joe Drive’s music is always an intricate affair, it spirals you down and never lets you go. His freeform composition dwell within the depth of machines. Exposing their buried truth. And so is this EP. A journey into electric catacombs of forgotten impulses where at every corner menacing shadows await you. Spine shivers, ghosts of children or unthinkable creatures? It is all there, and yet you can’t see. To enter Joe Drive’s dreams you need a key, Lux Rec provides it.

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Joe Drive – Buried Truth [LXRC017]

Exium / Developer – The Payback EP [NHEOMA016]

With every release Spanish duo Exium do it’s like they grow an extra muscle, and at the moment they’re starting to look like a well conditioned iron man. This split release with fellow booming techno cohort Developer sees the duo, on their side of the EP, deliver a stripped and sinisterly grubby “Diverse Population”, while “Pulstar” sounds like a reserved and dubbed-out Sandwell District production. On the Developer-side the American provides a drivelling up-and-down arpeggio in “Promiscuous”, while there’s only two words that can really explain “Indigenous” properly: Developer techno.

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Exium / Developer – The Payback EP [NHEOMA016]

Samuli Kemppi – Binary System EP [COT009]

Samuli Kemppi made a 4 tracks EP that clearly show the continuing outbound quality from Children Of Tomorrow. Between Detroit and analog raw techno with his modern touch, Samuli Kemppi proved again his knowledge of making quality Techno.

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Samuli Kemppi – Binary System EP [COT009]

Alexander D’niel – Kingdom EP [NULTD001]

Argentinian Alexander D’niel delivers the debut release for Nulabel LTD. He starts with “Ellie”, a world of drums, cymbals and synthesizers in a restless and powerful techno´s key. Meanwhile, the Swedish Mattias Fridell´s remix shows us a smart and elegant construction of technoid rhythms performed in a depth and accurate way. “Kingdom” is the second original track of Alexander D’niel, and where he shows his most aggressive side with a wrenching techno as a continuous sound storm. Ungar´s remix respects the original track´s style but it breaks its rhythm giving more depth and versatility to a techno packed of groove.”

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Alexander D’niel – Kingdom EP [NULTD001]

Answer Code Request – Breathe EP [OSTGUTTON075]

The first Answer Code Request EP on Ostgut Ton. Patrick Graeser has already caused a stir with his recent releases for MDR and his own ACR label. His debut 12” for Ostgut Ton begins with ”The 4th Verdict” and immediately shows clear direction.

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Answer Code Request – Breathe EP [OSTGUTTON075]

VA – Genesis Tracks [SIS022]

Sistrum ventures ever deeper into the cold, dark nights of winter, conjuring the hidden warmth that lies within each waveform. Genesis Tracks showcases a collection of deep techno talents who aren’t afraid to stand their ground for purity of sound – featuring Modular One (Patrice Scott and Chris Mitchell), Johannes Volk, Marco Zenker, and Sharif Anderson.

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VA – Genesis Tracks [SIS022]

Gary Martin – Post Techno Life [GG050]

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After 20 years of experience, Gary Martin couldn’t resist a 12” that is also the 50th release for Teknotika: a label from Detroit that didn’t exactly stick with the game when it switched to the mp3 format. “Basking In Blackness” is a composition of textured broken beat then classic four on the floor old school soul.“Synthotika” is what would happen if a synthasizer could take over an orchestra. A track inspired by Detroit peers no doubt. “Every Bit As Beautiful” goes sensative deep house piano, a lil Latin percussion and soaring Eno-esque synths to top it off. The title is a bit sarcastic, let’s face it, there is no life after techno.

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Gary Martin – Post Techno Life [GG050]