techno
Redshape – Square [RBLP05]
“Square” is the follow up to Redshape’s album debut “The Dance Paradox” (Delsin, 2009) – that is if you don’t want to count the double impact 12-inch “Red Pack” as a long player. And indeed, it is a long player in the truest sense of the term. Pamphlets, theories and opinions about the dubious role of “the album” in techno are dime a dozen, i.e. squaring the circle, but the man with the mask makes an effort to prove all of them wrong. “Square” doesn’t care for styles, genres or expectations, it can hold its own. Spread across twelve tracks you are as likely to meet vintage Redshape on tracks like “It’s In The Rain” or “The Playground (Square Version)” as you will encounter new facets of him with the Hyperdub affiliated Space Ape featuring “Until We Burn” and “Moods And Mice” or with a cluster of ambience pieces (“Orange Clouds”, “Landing”, Departing”). Working its way through all these states and moments on and off the dance floor, through melancholy and industrial romanticism alike, “Square” leaves you with the feeling of having experienced an electronic music album with identity that trusts in itself and wants you to trust in it. No matter if your perspective comes from a classic album like Kenny Larkin’s “Metaphor” (R&S, 1995) or is informed by the recent retro futuristic developments in the United Kingdom, if techno means more than a desperately compressed kick drum to you, Redshape with all his idiosyncrasy finds his way into your heart.
John Heckle @ Cognition Show 5 18.10.2012
Norman Nodge – Berghain 06 [OSTGUTCD23]
Berghain resident Norman Nodge presents the sixth installment in the club’s mix series. Since 2005 Norman has played the Berghain floor once a month and has become an integral part of the Berghain crew. He knows how to create a journey and so it’s not surprising that his Mix for Ostgut Ton is also built from many different elements. Classic Tracks like Jeff Mills? “Keeping Of The Kept” feature alongside the work of younger producers like Patrick Gräser. His “From Foreign Territories” is one of three exclusive unreleased tracks on this mix. Nodge also remembers that established artists like Keith Tenniswood as Radioactive Man are still producing powerful music today and includes a few recent tracks from such well established names. Showing that his palette of taste goes far beyond what you might expect to be the typical Berghain sound, much lighter tracks like Legowelt’s remix of the incredible “Rainy Day Juno Jam” by Xosar are also included. With probably the most varied tracklisting for a Berghain Mix CD yet, Norman Nodge is convincing us with his courage to try new combinations.
Phase – Behind The Sun [TOKEN025]
Phase strikes back after ‘Binary Opposition’ and does it with ease. Two tracks, two different sides of the spectrum. One takes you to the sun, the other one to the dark side of the moon. Astral travelling at it’s best.
Noleian Reusse – Second Language [BKTK001]
Black Tekno emerges from the undercurrent of Chicago with it’s first release, an acid infused, floor jacking four track EP from Noleian Reusse entitled “Second Language”. The songs here are aimed at the dancer, ranging from emotional sci fi to straight up party jams. All tracks were recorded live – hands on the keys, knobs and faders of Noleian’s analog hardware setup.
Blackboxx – Black Boxx EP 2 [FPR036]
New release on Ferrispark Records, featuring four mystery tracks, reminiscent of the early Detroit house & techno.
Mark Forshaw – Atavism [TABR014]
One third of the Phantom Planet Outlaws, Mark Forshaw returns with a rich and diverse solo EP on Tabernacle Records.
Sascha Rydell – Propose EP [FW026]
Fantastic new release by Sascha Rydell on Fachwerk, bringing melodic & dreamy but at the same time strong forward techno tracks, accompagnied with some ambient/drone interludes.
Conforce DJ set @ EnTechno Festival, Six Dogs (Athens) 22.09.2012
Ben Klock – Fabric 66 [FABRIC131]
Berghain mainstay Ben Klock will be in charge for the next installment of Fabric’s ongoing mix series. Taking on this project for Ben has become more than just the mix itself; it’s been an adventure into the future sound of some of the best and most exciting producers out there. Recorded in his home studio in Berlin, the mix has a distinct intention; one of discovery. The selection reflects both his love of classic house and techno productions as well as his passion for unearthing new and unreleased music as his friends were personally invited to submit rare and exclusive tracks for the purposes of this very special fabric mix. Klock had this to say when asked about producing the mix, “I didn’t want to include any of my ‘hits’ from my sets this time. The idea is more that you have something to discover when you listen.”
Louis Haiman – Soul Purpose [AERA006]
Indigo Aera’s 6th release by Louis Haiman called ‘Soul Purpose’ is a real journey trough time. Having released two of this tracks on early Transmat compilation CD’s, the other six unreleased tracks are carefully mined from Louis’ archive of 15 to 20 years old. Louis Haiman’s music is a balance of gentle synth arrangements swimming atop a sea of low-end frequencies. Ambient soundscapes drift among layer after layer of meandering melodies while deep, syncopated rhythms and bass keep listeners grounded. A study in contrasts, his compositions are both tranquil and urgent brought on by some of his earliest influences.
Unbalance – Unbalance #5 [UNBALANCE005]
Unbalance aka Alexandr Matlahov is making a name in the techno scene thanks to his EPs on his own white label. This is his fifth release, featuring 3 new tracks.
Kouji Nagahashi – Monster Olympic [IERO006]
Dave Miller – Erfunden Podcast 008
VC-118A Live @ Twisted Pepper (Dublin) 15.09.2012
Petar Dundov – Smoke Machine Podcast 063
Jonas Kopp – Reforce [DRH040]
For the 40th release, Deeply Rooted House welcomes Argentina’s own Jonas Kopp. This 4 tracks ep gives a good example of his diverse and still very defined techno recording skills. A side goes from the very straight forward and somehow mental ‘Reforce’ to the deep and abstract journey of ‘Proteus 81’, while B side kicks of with the somehow balearic and positive ‘Green fingers’ to end up with the quest of ‘Light’!
Birth Of Frequency – Remind EP [CRF004]
Construct Re-Form present a young Parisian artist : Birth of Frequency. On the A side, ‘Remind’ is serious Techno with heavy 909 drums and a repetitive and hypnotic synth, in the tradition of the purest minimalistic electronic music. On the B side, ‘Surround the silence’ offers a more deep feeling, between House and Techno, the perfect balance of those two generic styles. For the ending, Antigone give his own vision of “Surround the silence” with this brilliant remix, he tells us another part of the story with metalic and sharp sounds and a wintry atmosphere.
STL – Flying Saucer Attack [SMALLVILLE32]
STL is back on Smallville with a full EP, featuring three outstanding tracks. Stefan Laubner is the undisputed master of the left of centre house groove and on “Where Have You Gone”, he proves his worth yet again. Spacey, somewhat mysterious melodies float through the arrangement, appearing gradually over Laubner’s trademark doubled up, scuffled beats. He adopts a similar approach with “Inverted Reality”. There, grinding sounds and a heavy bass make the off beats sound more deranged and out there. However, it’s with “Your Turn” that he really impresses. The track marks a departure of sorts for Laubner, with a dubby, snaking bassline at its centre, and the metallic drums and a linear rhythm marking out the German producer’s most techno focused release to date.
The Hipodrome Of Music 