viers clocks back in on figure duty, showing up with up for another strong statement of his unmistakenly singular style. here he is working it from all angles: straight up and searingly stoic techno opener let my mind breath is grinding away grittily, while things turn surprisingly bouncy, as genesis dishes out electrifying boom-bap-breakbeats, transporting imagery of neo-futuristic tokyo streets. as night sets in, so does the kinetic groove of oyasumi, which twirls layers of energetic movement into a thick current, zooming through the citys deep gorges of concrete and fiber glass. closing track data entry 4590 finally provides some soothing ambient tones of melancholic longing, inviting to slowly drift away into white-washed nothingness and process the bright color storm that viers lets unfold on this intense record.

slow glass is not only the debut release by le frère it is also a very personal diary of the last two years of his life. all four tracks are based on recordings, samples and ideas he collected while travelling the world. with the concept of slow glass in mind le frere tried to catch moments of his life without stripping them of their dynamic and evanescence. the ep starts with lots of positive energy and light but already reveals glimpses of the shadows that slowly emerge throughout the following tracks. nice is a lightly humming version of an (almost) innocent summer morning. it s a collage of field-recordings, synth-pads and manipulated guitar sounds. candid is a light and open dialog between a simple guitar theme and a playful synth-arpeggio. v1b1n creates the dense atmosphere of a rainy caribbean afternoon dominated by field recordings and everyday noises. nttt8-sets a counter point to the previous three tracks as the energy of le frere s travels cumulates in nttt8, making it a more dance-floor oriented piece carried by a dark and heavy bass-line and almost rave-sirens.

a song dedicated to his wife and their marriage. the song contains so much captured emotions. from shimmering synths and old school orchestra hits to a solid walking bass line that solidifies the love for the dance floor. on the dub mix, santiago stripped the track down for a big sound system leaving a heavy bass line and strings throughout the track. esteban adame presents guaguanco. i wrote this track while playing with g2g and mike banks was always pushing us to electrify your roots. though my family is not cuban, cuban music has been a huge part of my musical development as a musician. the track uses traditional cuban rumba rhythms (guaguanco) to trigger synths and percussion samples alike to create a dense polyrhythmic cushion for the track to sit on.

the inimitable cc:disco! has partnered with hyped underground label soothsayer to curate the first in a collaborative series of compilations entitled first light. soothsayer presents first light: volume 1 compiled by cc:disco! is due for release in february 2018 digitally and on vinyl. australias reigning champion of tasteful electronic music, cc:disco! has procured exclusive tracks from emerging and undiscovered artists across genres such as boogie, balearic, funk, disco and house with each sound piquing her interest, culminating in a finished product that would undeniably slot into a cc:disco! set. her mission statement? less chin stroking, more dancing. it captures what cc:disco! is all about: the dancefloor. the very first taste of first light comes in the form of a salty and sweet track called really want that by jace xl. premiered via resident advisor, cc:disco! explains: i remember the first time i heard jace sing in a bar, at first i thought a dj was playing then i looked up see jace singing his guts out. he blew me away! jaces voice is amazing and to me, a huge part of whats going on in australian music, so its with open arms we welcome him to first light. staub comes back on wax for a third episode. following the no name policy from the parties which started 5 years ago in it is time again for unknown artist to shine. this new ep sees the shy producer appearing on 4 tracks of pristine techno. a1 is an atmospheric trip while a2 is more brutal, on the b side it is going weirder and darker. we think unknown artist tries to craft interesting techno cuts and that he loves variety. that it is the idea behind staub since its beginnings, it does not matter whether you are a newcomer or lady gaga, what matters is the quality of the music. this is what was again aimed with this third record.

vidab x returns with a new artist, faltin, who chooses to remain anonymous, plus a stepping rework by gowentgone aka label owners oliver deutschmann and stephan hill. faltin s phobos is a stripped down analogue masterclass. rolling and snaking, its arpeggiated lead growls with a hot headed tension, climbing while never losing balance and poise. the gowentgone stepper translates the original into a heavyweight, early-morning trip - a certain hybrid of broken beats and techno attitude that melts between genres. waves of euphoria are carried by rumbling drums in this essential version.

people places & things is the single project of manchester born & london based mike checuti. mike grew listening to a heavy mixture of horror & film soundtracks an equal dose of the early electro via the legendary spin inn records & then the hedonistic sounds of the hacienda & the more underground thunderdome nightclub. treating patient a is the first in a trilogy of releases by people places & things each pulling from the above mentioned influences but each ep having it s own variation whilst keeping the references points clearly audible along with people places & things own take of these sounds at the forefront. people places & things along with gabe guernsey of factory floor have recently just composed the soundtrack for the latest film for the forthcoming adidas spezial range which commemorates 30 years of acid house. artwork for each 12inch is designed by andrew jackson & each sleeve is individually hand printed thus having its own unique imprint and limited to only 200 copies. the press & publicity for the release and project as while will be handled by the rest is noise

for her first single, the sublime title loverboy comes out as a big urban spleen, released in a space made of asphalt and artificial paradises. groups like hooverphonic or even portishead play around this throbbing softness that is loverboy, splashing about in the electronic lounge of the 90s. the opener, alien lady features a flute-driven solo backed up by a funky guitar riff that then transitions into a tropical beat and tanja narrating the story of feeling a stranger in a big city, not understanding the social codes and clues ‘i don t speak the language in the way that you know’ while worth to you is a dreamy, glitched-out hypnotic track which maintains an edge of mysterious sexuality and her signature sense of intimate detachment. if the atmosphere coming out of lomboy’s work can be sometimes felt as prude and even shy, it certainly does not intend to hide with embarrassment the aphrodisiac scent that permeates it. on the contrary, this modesty perceived in the interpretation and in the production sensually envelops the different compositions, and imparts to this guilty pleasure the feeling of a stolen kiss. warped caress brings us to vertiginous heights and takes us into abyssal depths throughout the five tracks. this suggests at times a diegetic representation of this erotic world seen through the insolent prose and at other times a mimetic representation where each instrument plays an important part in every story told.

the second outing from yaleesa hall in this two-piece ep series on will & ink. the 13th release on the label packs a visceral punch across four fresh tracks that are perfect for dance floor deployment. first track daisy wright kicks off with minimal but impactful drum rhythms that eventually get cut up with tumbling sirens, hammering hits and blasts of dirty noise. it s hugely physical stuff, while follow up barbara adams is more stripped back and mysterious. icy hi hats tick, howling synths sound bring a sadness and the depth of stern field as sounds play out above, below and all around you is truly standout. harriet brown then sinks into a deeper electro groove with spangled bass, before a vip mix then slows things down to a dread fuelled dub wise swagger that eventually breaks out into oscillating, stuttering rave madness. it makes for one hell of a thrilling ride and kicks off a promising year for both yaleesa hall and the will & ink label.

following mor elian s cymatic ring ep, fam02 is coming up by rhyw, a 4 track ep following his most recent release on avian, rhyw, (also one half of cassegrain) presents a different side of himself while reinforcing his approach to techno. this ep is directed at the dance floor while still maintaining his signature sound design and raw sound combining broken beats and subtle melodies. written, produced and mixed by alex tsiridis

1lp in a gatefold sleeve with matt finishing, cd included camilles second studio album including la jeune fille aux cheveux blancs and ta douleur. since 2016, rémy poncet aka chevalrex sits among the top new french songwriters to watch thanks to futurism (vietnam, 2016), an intimate sophomore album critically acclaimed by the press and on which he plays all the instruments. wondering how one finds his/her place in today’s world while staying true to him/herself, chevalrex offers his answers in this third album and leaves behind his minimalist compositions to raise his ambitions and push his music into a whole other dimension. recorded this time with additional musicians and even a whole string orchestra, anti slogan compiles ten songs meticulously crafted in which the worlds of jim o’rourke, vincent delerme, tindersticks and boris vian collides, showcasing a level of refinement hardly ever heard in the french pop scene.

yoruba records is proud to welcome back toto chiavetta with our latest release, nagnu jubo (remixes). this follow up to the debut album, impermanence, includes remixes by osunlade as well as new and unreleased work from toto himself. kicking off proceedings is the yoruba soul mix of nagnu jubo, a deep and smooth groove rich in personality. the warm chords reel you in as the underlying rhythm engages and inspires. the yoruba soul dub retains the warmth of the original without the track’s signature chant. this is followed by a new, previously unreleased, version of minds. originally appearing on impermanence, this version is decidedly more floor focused. a 303-style bassline keeps this moving right along as percussive elements add texture and drive to this forward thinking dance tune. finally, closing out this release is hunters, a track which showcases totos dark and techy side. this expressive tune is ripe with emotion and will have discerning listeners locked in introspection while their feet do work on the floors below them.

having carved out a reputation for some of the finest cosmic house productions on labels like omena, dirt crew and quintessentials, the lithuanian based producer delivers three new cuts on this release, which comes ably backed by a remix from italian producer fabrizio mammarella. on the title track, alex pletnev (ponty mython), goes for breezy synths and wandering melodies over a chugging mechanical beat and an fm style bassline, whilst fabrizio mammarella (bear funk/les disques de la mort) toughens things up slightly on his remix, plunging into a darker sound aesthetic for a great reinterpretation of the original. on “time spiral” an unhurried groove is laced with layer upon layer of meditative synths and percussive rolls for a fat dose of eighties soundtrack vibes, whilst ep closer, “appreciate it while it s not too late”, settles down to a head-nodding pace with funky bass and key melodies and live drum samples for a real earworm of a track.

following the release of his first twelve inches in 2016, andy fox is back with another exciting maxi-ep. a rich and diverse palette of 7 tracks occupies the record, touching on italo disco, some sparks of bass driven synthwave and the late 80s house sound. ritmo! is full of melodies, injecting beats and energy that create an addictive drive and momentum. the record is featuring an impressive list of artists as vocal collaboration as well, leading to an expressive journey that evolves throughout its infectious grooves and powerful 4/4s. it’s the dynamic and propulsive power sparked by the 80s sounds that makes ritmo! an album you would want in your collection, or on your decks while playing at the club.

privately pressed to lp in 1978 under the name j. jasmine and made especially for the ann arbor film festival, with artistic collaboration from the festival’s founder and once group artist, george manupelli, my new music is the debut album by jacqueline humbert and david rosenboom. featuring a cast of mills college personalities like david behrman and sam ashley on backup vocal duties, this song cycle is at every turn boundary-pushing and gender-busting, yet still hilarious, sweet, and genuine, all delivered in a post-genre, art-song, cabaret musical style that happens to boast some serious avant-garde chops, courtesy of rosenboom. if it weren’t so spot on, you’d swear it was a guilty pleasure. as j. jasmine writes, my new music is a collection of personal stories and private desires, exposed, articulated, performed and dedicated to the hope that one person’s fantasies can contribute to another person’s freedom. get lost in j. jasmine’s world for a little long while, and be free.

inside out is a brand new series that invites djs and producers to blur the boundaries between traditional artist albums and mix compilations. coming from aus music label head and dj-kicks curator will saul, the concept encourages artists to showcase their own music and or the music of those in their own individual circles. the mix will be release digitally and on cd, while a selection of the tracks will also be available on double gatefold vinyl. each instalment will feature 100% new and unreleased music. it is a chance for artists to take sole creative charge, a&r as they see fit and then commission brand new music specifically for the cause. depending on who is at the helm, inside out will take different forms: producers may wish to represent their own sound with only music they have made themselves or with close collaborators, while djs and label heads may wish to reflect the sounds and scenes that surround them. the results will be a window into an artists world that works as a coherent mix, but also as a treasure trove of fresh new music that steps outside the usual lines of a dance album. the idea stems from will sauls own approach in the club, which often finds him seeking out brand new and unheard music to play for the first time. that feeling of taking people into the unknown is one that reminds him of the energy and excitement of his early days as a dancer.

imogen have stumbled across a rare gem here, presenting some previously unheard liquid funk jams from the lesser known chicago pioneer james perri. some of his jams as jimi polo are perennial classics, while his time spent in soul ii soul and elsewhere are testament to his gifts, but this particular set of recordings from the 90s have lain in wait for their time to shine. you can hear his skills as a session musician and arranger coming through in abundance on this warm, grooving, acid jazz inflected ep. 70s theme is a sparse, moody jazz funk cut, while brother beware is a smooth, sultry slice of message soul. express yourself is the truly uplifting slice of the pie, and it will chime just fine with any lovers of that classic soul ii soul sound.

dokta has been seen lurking around 20:20 vision with a curious take on that label s particular brand of house. that step to the left becomes more pronounced on this record, where dokta gets to call on a wealth of live instrumentation to animate his sound. on london nights he interweaves vocal, ambling keys and crooked basslines into a curious and utterly inspired cocktail of cool-headed pressure, which jason heath then simmers down to a purely instrumental refrain. burnski goes to the other extreme and beefs the track up for a firm and functional ride, while ralph lawson dubs the track out and gives it a low slung swagger.

hailing from france but now based in tokyo, jazzy couscous is a label that explores all kinds of sounds pivoting around the axis of jazz and deep house, but keeping things wide open for variety and experimentation. following releases from brawther, klodio and more besides, it s time for a hefty various artists release that shows off a whole heap of talent. matthieu faubourg keeps thing pumping and detroit-flavoured on a long way, while drezb smooths things out to a chez damier-influenced deep house groove. pascal viscardi gets things properly jacking on the deep-diving digital illusion, and then the record closes out with the blissful ambient excursion of midori featuring victor santonis distance.

having previously appeared alongside tommi vicari jr on a 12inch last year, opto mystics strike out on their own with this 12inch for italian powerhouse vibraphone. new horizon very much represents the new school approach with the long serving italian house label, keeping that deep, melodic quality but embracing new rhythms, tones and approaches. new horizon almost has an akufen quality to it, while bucky triangle could easily transmit from the motor city house scene. m.i.y.e. is a swirling blur of gorgeous synths, and -suddent- finishes the ep off on a surprisingly experimental tip.

four tracks of ny-flavoured boogie and house goodness - quality is the key word from copenhagen based music for dreams and here is another home run. willie graff splits his year between dj residencies in new york and ibiza. in this new outing with studio partner darren eboli, the influence is, as the title suggests, clearly ny-based. over only four tracks, the pair manage to craft a stunningly comprehensive exploration of the essential elements of dance music. opening track -love flight- staggers into a lush string-driven groove that recalls the glory of metro area meets wally badarou vibes. minimal yet playful, it lounges somewhere in the depths of the house tradition, calling on familiar sounds while throwing in odd details along the way (harmonicas?). it takes both skill, devotion and a sense of humor to pull this track off, making for a strong opening. -moon tan- lingers on a metallic hook that drags you into a plethora of percussion followed by a rubbery soft baseline. dubby key work would suggest this was a new wave band jamming at compass point, while the icy chill of the xylophone transports you into 80s italo territory. -second sun- pulls out the bag of boogie tricks, relying on a firm but humble baseline and smattering drum machine claps. nile rodgers-style guitar licks guide us onwards into a well-orchestrated jam that builds up and breaks down with perfect timing while dreamy chords reach for the sky. -first light- keeps the groove tight while dipping over towards more balearic temperatures. steeped in a watery atmosphere and gentle organic percussion, it focuses in on a trance-inducing arpeggio that lulls you in to the swaying badarou-style synth swirls that intercept it.

dimi angelis is a pivotal element in european and universal techno scene, alone or teaming up with jeroen search his tunes has been around from quite a while and finally he is landing with a complete ep in warm up. dimi provides three energetic cuts, fast, dirty, futuristic and funky all at once.

nyc native eric maltz has been a professional producer and pianist for more than 20 years. after landing on the techno scene in 2017 with the double vinyl “ns-17” ep on levon vincent’s novel sound, eric maltz releases his first single on his own label flower myth. opening on the title track , a bruising slice of machine techno, the live touch of the new-york producer stands out throughout “pathway”. on “ah-shu-de-ohu”, paranoid chimes swirl out of focus while chopped up vocals command attention. free floating chords glide through a meditative soundscape on closer “line through”. flower myth will release 4 more singles from eric maltz throughout 2018, one of them a collaboration with cristina valentina, the powerful voice from “we have power” (ns17). having recently signed with uzuri booking and artist management, eric will soon be bringing his singular live techno to his home-base city of berlin and other major cities across europe and the world.

waggons marks the third motip white release on dorfjungs. after the two previous eps »lywer bent« and »the white ep« this one feels drunken yet still more defined. motip white delivers four thrilling tracks composed of colourful and warm techno, house and electronic hybrids. his ep contains bass driven dance songs as well as cautious and charming anthems. while every song has got its special elements with the typical motip white sound, they all work equally well on the dance floor and at home. the smooth and calm fourth track ends the vinyl but is actually caught up by the euphoric digital bonus »simia«, which brings the ep to a surprising though satisfying (digital) end.

cocktail d amore showed the breadth of their tastes when they reissued ukranian composer iury lechs 1990 album musica para el fin de los cantos last year. now the label has commissioned a raft of remixes from some label regulars, with wonderful and diverse results. powder drops her signature snaking rhythmic trysts over barreras, while -cuando rocio dispara sus flechas benefits from an abstract, ambient reworking from suzanne kraft. hatchback takes to posmeridiano with a delicate touch, all lingering 80s synth motifs in a beatless reverie, and zavoloka lays the cinematic intensity on heavy with the icy strains of ukraina.

the fourth release of bassiani was dedicated to various artists. starting from cassegrains track departure seven, we encounter a completely new and unfamiliar artist ersatz olfolks with his track straight road. hector oaks strikes with old school atmosphere by move on circles, walk on lines, while thomas hessler competes the circle with melancholic vibe by his track memories.

italian techno producer distant echoes presents the first ep of the new year -rough waves-, a four-track pack out on the berlin-based, southern-italy born out-er label.
distant echoes has been building a name in the last few years since he debuted on the dystopian label in 2014 and toured all around the world, yet, he s been producing and playing electronic/house/techno music since almost two decades. as out-er co-founder, he previously released music before the beginning of his bond with dystopian. in the last years, while distant echoes has mostly focused on releasing on dystopian, out-er has indeed expanded its range of collaborations worldwide, by putting out music from juan atkins, orlando voorn, terrence dixon and more.
distant echoes now readies the first installment on his own label with his newest moniker, showcasing his typical sound: deep, intense grooves and gloomy soundscapes crafted with exceptional productional accuracy.

after a first ep of the year from stl, the solar phenomena label now welcomes romania’s romansoff. the raw tools label boss hails from bucharest and has also released his gritty, stripped back house and techno on creme organization and sportiv. here he offers four new tracks, with one remix from timedance man ploy completing the package.
halo epitomises romansoff’s style with its slow, heavy drums and sparse, scattered perc sounds. a lo-fi melody adds colour, while coach jacket ups the ante with busier claps and crashing hits laid over a turbulent, unsettled bassline. increasing the pressure further, graded grows manic with punchy drums, layers of fuzzy synths and bass and distant cries that are dark and unsettling. ploy flips this one into a prickly and atmospheric drum track that keeps you on edge.

gulf points expanding roster delivers a twist with the introduction of vienna-based alexey lanvin. men s fashion connoisseur by day, one look diarises alexey s private persona as he broods over the octaves with acutely romantic flair. his series of short online videos hint at a realm where long stares, midnight moods and south beach style are everyday fare a vision fellow pastel chief and label boss benny badge simply couldn t ignore. one look- opens this window to lanvin s electrifying world even further, his talking keyboards ready as ever to converse. alexey gets straight to the point, launching into two searing ballads full of silky rhodes and evocative textures. while an ominous inner-city funk adorns all songs, its definitely miami when the upbeat items arrive (both good love and lips could score one of crockett s fleeting love scenes in easy fashion) - suggesting his high street antics are merely a front for his downtown demeanour. ep includes: standing out, in and out of love, your eyes, good love, lips, cassette only bonus track. arranged and recorded entirely at alexey s home studio with minor alterations by benny badge at secret heat music.

malmö s own sune fills in for better listen s tenth release, continuing a run of sweet scandinavian finds for the label. the butter love ep is a true reflection of the crime city man s sound jovial, dusty disco and soul samples adorned by heady drum machine programming.

enter the squirrel zone ! more sellotaped together dancefloor weapons constructed by those bright eyed & bushy tailed secret squirrels for all your dance floor manoeuvres think hi-fi, top end extensions that will really rock the place and you will be getting kinda close. on the a side, a top notch disco stomper of a cut is unleashed, while over on the flip things take a more sleazy italo direction. essential unclassics for your dj record box.

the ideological inspirer of slowdance – michael dop is making his debut on the label under a new name finetune. each composition comprises breathing groove and atmospheric melodies. the whole release conveys and emphasizes the mood and versatility of the musician, while the cover represents him as an artist.

drumcode favourite harvey mckay returns to the label with a darker new sound. the glaswegian has been a regular contributor over the years, highlighted by the memorable the illusion of control ep in 2014 and his newer work with brother ryan under the alias moniker. earlier this year drumcode released the duos pentatonic ep and featured a mix on adam beyer s radio, which included black dolphin, kickstarting the hype on the track. named after the infamous russian prison, the title track is dark, tough, deeply textured brooding affair, with a menacing touch than runs through its core. mckay then brings in a huge synth line and changes up the dynamic of the track, giving it a powerful and driving feel. retox is a dark and twisted heavy-hitting cut, driven by aggressive drums and bassline, while a hypnotic synth line sustains a sense of tension throughout the six-minute track. concluding the package is cover up, a fantastic stripped back exploration into dark atmospheric techno territory that s tailor made for the winter warehouse raving season.

deep club resident dj and head strobe controller lone dancer marks our label s 4th entry with his first solo 12- on vinyl. after finishing two quality tape albums in 2017 already for jacktone and always human tapes, -house is a tunnel- arrives packed with 4 club-ready jagged tekno bangers and one cut for the chillout room. side a - communication: the title track is a sure-fire party starter centered around a thick kickdrum and a repeating synth rhythm laced with weird percussion and synth stabs trickling through the texture. next, -po12-3- combines crisp claps, hats, and a central synth theme that calls for an intergalactic rave. -colony dwelling- kicks off the transportation side, taking our extraterrestrial dancers to a new dimension steeped in fog juice and flangers. -floor- has a chill intro until it launches into a gritty track that throws broken kickdrums and distorted synths in every direction. finally, -night rain- puts the party to rest utilizng soft pads while hinting at moments from the night before. overall, -house is a tunnel- is a fitting dance-centric conglomeration of lone dancer s unique style of jacking techno, broken beats, and spaced out tracks that has set him apart in 2017. —ryan scannura

eric estornels lone romantic releases -anomaly-, the new ep of the veteran english-born, france-based producer carl finlow. -anomaly- is the 3rd instalment, following estornel’s maceo plex album -solar- and the return of his mariel ito alias with the -2e komst- ep, remarking the distinct sound of the label once again, while pushing a step forward at the same time. with the relaunch of mariel ito, the electro and idm alias of estornel, that was active in the early 2000s with releases on modern love or scsi-av and that will see a retrospective album from that time on r&s records, lone romantic is a new suitable platform for carl’s music. however, from the 90s until today, his vast catalog traverses through the most relevant labels out there such as warp, soma, klang, scsi-av, novamute, satamile, electrix and his own 2020 vision. -anomaly- is a four-tracker showcasing classic electro schemes with ease. a frenetic mysticism and a meditative melancholy stand behind the most innovative trajectories of funk, within a mood much divergent than the usual conservative reverence towards the genre.

this initial release on the new futurepast label marks davy’s first output as a producer, crystallizing his endeavours in the studio and bearing witness to his long-standing experiments in electronic music. built between london and berlin over the last four years, the long now lays down the blueprints for following ventures on the label: using old and new gear to create unique, obscure soundscapes both outside of memory and away from nostalgic projections of lost futures. in a timeless and precise collaboration, davy has brought together two historical figures for this release: 1990s r&s records associate david morley mixed the tracks, while simon davey of the exchange lent his renownedmastering skills to the project. temporality, time travel and perception are key concepts for davy, and not only in the ep’s title. the four stripped-down tracks move forwards, sidewards and backwards in a bid to get us lost – not in space but in what time might sound like should we be swimming through it. mysterious and ageless synths mesh with the beats of an unnamed drum machine under davy’s control. we move through a non-linear story told by three distinct forward-thinking techno titles: no memories planned, circular weeks and causal loop. finally, the titular ambient track pans out cinematically over the images left in our heads: an invitation to begin it all again in the long now...

bxl002 is the second release of the artist-run brussels based label bxl. this second release by simon halsberghe features the dark discoïd black tape mass on the a-side. while the title refers to the tape delay echo s used in the production, it s the groove pushed forward by the pulsing bass line and the clap that give it that distinct dark disco vibe. on the b-side machine wailing sounds like an incessant siren. the rest of the elements in the track all push and pull around this hypnotic siren, giving it context and power. the last track, grey over white takes the hypnosis deeper with a deep fizzy bass line, resonant drone and crisp hihats. at the end of the track additional percussive elements puncture the drone to give way to a polyrhythmic work out.

2018 reissue/ repress - in yellow coloured vinyl after offering-up paratrooper as part of dj tennis recent dj kicks, the israeli duo red axes arrive on life and death for an original ep. sami is a post-moondog shamanic tribal trip, while round combines dilapidated post-goa electronics with just the right amount of cowbells and guitars psych. vego is a lo-if western spaghetti full of tape delays and amplifiers sauce while pulse waves and wind blows on a big russian bell at the title track kalacol. a record that could only come from niv and dori another reconfiguration of the life and death mausoleum.

leigh darlow and matthew bandy have got plenty of experience in the world of deep house, both individually and as saison. building on a solid run of releases for papa records, the project makes its vinyl debut on guesthouse with some undeniably catchy jams for the peak of the night. -please don t go- is a cool slice of party fodder that hinges on a classic soul vocal hit, while -do you- gets a little more choppy in the mix with yet more recognisable licks that should get the masses sweating and swaying without needing to resort to a hectic tempo. -the moody blues- lets the keys do the talking, while yet another of the hefty grooves saison craft so well rolls out underneath.

formerly of france, now based in brazil, d3 elements returns with their second instalment of the beatz series, this time with jazz artist, bruno e, also hailing from brazil. bruno, who has been producing and performing since the late 90s, has worked with and remixed the likes of silhouette brown and gilles peterson, as well as releasing albums in his own right. this limited colour 10inch release features three versions of the track ventos do outono, (loosely translated to autumn winds). first up is drummer, composer and producer, pat van dyke, taking a break from composing the soundtrack to jerry seinfeld s comedians in cars getting coffee, with a breezy, laid back version of the original. featuring lush horns and flutes, along with vintage keyboards, the track urges us to get down, while straddling the boundaries of jazz and golden era hip-hop. still on the a side, it s bruno s turn, delivering a wonderful broken beat track. full of beautiful keys, strings and intricate rhythms, this track is reminiscent of the sound championed by kaidi tatham and nu era. flip over to the b side, and techno legend, kirk de giorgio takes us on a deep, futuristic ride. the track starts off with banging drums and a pulsating bass line, priming us for the cosmic pads and keys to come as the uk producer takes us on a journey to outer space and back. another quality release from bryan hervieus label, with three diverse versions of the same track, sure to appeal to a wide variety of tastes

ess o ess (aka chris stoker and jamie blanco) return to not an animal to further indulge in the organic house territories previously mined for the previous releases. the duo have an uncanny nack for deftly balancing the rockier end of disco with the authenticity of early house, and never more so than on -secret place. the original bounces and struts in a pleasingly groove laden hypnotic fashion, while the dub version turns down the guitars and turns up the synthesisers for a more heads-down dance floor excursion. on remix detail kuniyuki takahashi makes his 1st appearance on the label. on the vinyl you ll find an interpretation which can be best be described as pitched-down balearic-techno, which clicks, clacks and folds upon itself, drowning in waves of reverbed drama-drums at a deceptively low tempo. kuniyuki also provides a second remix as a digital exclusive, mildly pulling back on the pomp of the vinyl version, but replacing it with a spacious pathos, complete with backwards guitars that reminiscent of an electronic within without you era beatles. angaphora make their naar debut with their own wildly stirring remix of the lead track, which evokes the golden era of 80s melodic pop music to bewildering success, laden with digitised emotion, singing ebow guitar, and not a kick drum in site.

astrophonica label head fracture launches himself into 2018 with take you . nodding hard towards saucer-eyed 90 s italian piano house it features the lush vocals of lucie la mode while full tempo kick drums light the touch paper. smiles wide. utopia now. aa ‘northbound spiral’ continues the ascension to enlightenment with some hyper-rapid 4/4 escapism. hot on the heels of 2017’s anthem ‘cold & rain’, fracture and astrophonica continue to join the dots like no one else out there.

four 140 bpm bass bangers from the grime wonder boy boylan (who also has some history in drum and bass, releasing for the likes of the legendary bad company) and the grime godfather dj slimzee, co-founder of rinse fm, member of the legendary pay as u go cartel and owner of slimzos recordings, slimzee is a key figure of first generation grime who shot to international underground fame at the turn of the millennium, alongside partners in grime wiley and dizzee rascal. boylan and slimzee make an outstanding production duo and this debut ep is a testament to that, these beats leave a trail of destruction anywhere that they are played around the world, while crossing 140 boundaries and delivering unique bass music with weighty attitude.

parisian producer brice groulier has built a reputation as one of the new guard of techno artists to watch closely with consistently high quality sub aquatic, rhythm shifting techno for labels like semantica, midgar, planet rhythm, and modularz. while looking for music that integrated with our grey area releases, we found ourselves blending more von grall tunes than any other artist, so a horo release was requested. what originally began as a 4 track ep bloomed into an 8 track debut album that sees von grall expand his style beyond the muscular but hazy rhythmic mist he has become known for. the title track infinitum opens the lp like a contemplative bubble. hyper density and inside are pensive, evocative jogs, while emerald city and disturbance ramp up the energy and will be the most favoured floor tunes from infinitum. antonym allegory combines the von grall rhythmic bounce with an emotive pad that will echo in your mind long after listening. motel closes the lp with a quirky, almost joyful flow. infinitum wanders confidently into new ground for von grall and cements him as a versatile and singular voice in techno.

coloured vinyl + insert
inner surface music is proud to present its next release from canadian duo mdd. falling inside opens the ep bringing together industrial and punk prototypes of the duo’s influences in the shape of a techno stomper. chunky kick drums and gnarly textures fizzle and pop to the march of the industrial rhythms before the low slung bassline and abstract vocal cuts take the track into a darker realm. tension builds and welds together heavy broken kick patterns with crisp but rusty percussion demolishing everything in sight. the elements amalgamate together creating tension with walls of sub bass, while remaining spacious and nonchalant with glacial atmospheric pads, dropping and breaking like a thunderstorm overhead.

uss is a collaborative studio project that has been active since 2014. individually, chicago native natan h has released on labels as respected as manmakemusic and finale sessions, while maltese producer owen jay has been spotted on underground quality and minuendo to name but a few. independent from their accomplished solo careers, gauss has a strong identity all of its own which taps into the immersive mood of ornate music while coming at it from a fresh direction. building on the foundations of their self-released 12- series and appearances on contrast-wax and hizou deep rooted music, the maximum entropy ep finds the duo in formidable form. from low-blowing electro drums to shimmering pads, rugged, snaking house grooves to hypnotic, metallic chords, on this record gauss have carved out a cohesive sound world that channels the spirit of classic dub techno. it s this common thread that brings the four distinct tracks together into a truly engrossing exercise in deep-diving electronic music. to celebrate this landmark release each record includes a limited edition printed insert featuring the label artwork from the 1st 25 releases cataloguing the story so

melbournes short black label has been relatively sporadic with its releases up until now, having started back in 2013 with matt kennedys together at 2am ep and dropping the third release on the label back in 2016, rustal s privilege. hopefully this excellent new transmission from newcomer tristan kino will be the start of more productivity from the crew. the ep starts off in fine style with the nervy, reduced acid twitch of yggdrassil, while at the other end of the record niddhog presents a tougher, darker throwdown crafted for seedy techno dancefloors. johannes volk has been snapped up for remix duties, and does a sterling service with the metallic clang of his version of niddhog.

for its third release, sensoramic turns to new york minimalist and renowned modular artist, kamran sadeghi. fresh from releasing on key techno imprints meander, brouqade, fasten musique and cocoon, he finishes a strong year with an exceptional three tracker. lead track undone suspends time for a twelve minute lesson in modular hypnotism, twisting its way through various chapters and subtle, naggingly hooky melodic passages with the interlude of a deftly placed riser. sentient takes an alien vocodor style sound through a tense peak time work out while not here runs a dense droning pad through a gamut of minimally applied drums and modular noises.

always a reliable destination for cult talents operating on exciting frontiers of techno, meandyou this time shine a light on j.s. zeiter, who adopts the analog 1 alias for some dense, meticulously crafted trips into the strange psychedelic underbelly of dub techno. sm4l features pastoral chord swells straining behind a babbling brook of high frequency sound design, while mistral takes a classical approach to ambient composition, all yearning arpeggios and lingering keys. interlude is a brief twirl around blown out drums and textural impulses, and then skiv loop (rework) sets a more positive tone for the end of the ep, pushing classic dub techno sounds into a hazy, summery space away from the usual icy tundra the genre normally inhabits.

the third installment from barcelona’s nitsa club record label digs into uncharted territories. if the first release was a strong and balanced mixture between ebm and minimal techno and the second one paid a heartfelt and honest homage to detroit electronic heroes, sau poler’s ‘orchestron’ decides to draw a line between emotional melodies and techno rhythms while keeping a strong peak time momentum. young producer from badalona who already released on labels like atomnation, modern obscure music and lo recordings, sau knows how to build a banger with soul without being too cheesy. with an insane pulsating baseline, some high pitched synth swirls and a crispy rhythm that resembles a krautrock drum machine, ‘orchestron’ will be played a lot during the next months.
on the b-side there’s a remix from estrato aurora. 50% of lontano, legendary electronic band during the early 00’s in valencia, jaime romero takes away the cheerful playful disco that made him famous to a psychedelic and obsessive deep techno.