the durian brothers consist of rising polyrhythmic talent dont dj, outernational adventurer harmonious thelonious and salon des amateurs resident marc matter. following their excellent outings on kontra-musik and diskant, the experimental trio build on a burgeoning relationship with emotional response by gathering together some of the best of their intense, globetrotting sounds. theres a great focus on cyclical rhythms, not least on the wonderful planete sauvage, while mille yeaux takes a more spacious, groovy route through wooden percussion and pinging organic tones. considering the scarcity of the original diskant pressings of these tracks, this collection couldnt come quickly enough.

burnski and jon woodall s constant sound label continues to reach skywards following the formers essential dna album, welcoming the ever-reliable laura jones and stephen brown into the mix with a collaborative effort that matches club precision with machine soul in equal measure. -crystalline- works around detroit motifs to great effect, while -concave- ramps up the swing factor for a spacey number that gets fancy with the fx. -pv- too does a fine job of making the synths ping around the mix with a jammed-out feel, while endian delivers a remix of -nothing lost- that leans on berlin techno dynamics while injecting some colour into the situation.

the white man & the arab return with their fifth release, the exchange ep, further developing the sound that s made their previous four outings so alluring.informed by a range of cues that reflect the pairs influences, you can sense dub, ambient, minimal, a love for eerie melodies and raw deepness permeating from this ep’s start to finish. the a side kicks off with -on the floor- - a nod to the fact that the whole ep was crafted literally on the floor (the studio was in transition ) - signals what awaits the listener for the duration of the ep. moody pads, slowly progressing melodies and their signature syncopated drum patterns. -people say- follows next, instantly shifting up a gear - this is a solid dancefloor shaker with a simple but seriously effective bassline that will be lodged in your brain, a sharp hi-hat & clap combo and a disembodied, haunting vocal that chants along to the beat. flip the record over for the title track - -the exchange- - a reverb-drenched ethereal club cut that gets it s unstoppable sense of motion from the irresistible percussion workout, while the squelchy acid line adds that extra rawness. rounding off the ep -sideways- signals a distinct nod to detroit. no homage in sight though - it s been carefully distilled via their own signature processes resulting in a somewhat emotional, dubbed out track - perfect supplement for when you re starting to land back to earth

uk label aer returns with a 3 track ep. back on the controls is british label boss miles at the helm, giving us a journey of varying textures. after releases on aesthetic audio, art, ornate amongst others, miles esteemed reputation for discerning house & techno both as a dj & producer ensure this release is another pure piece of artistry. not one to compromise, miles delivers yet again. obliquity is a dub techno slice of hypnosis! emancipate gives us a beautiful string rendition amongst haunting lead lines, while whispers goes beyond the deep, down into ethereal emotive territory, giving the full release a nice snapshot spectrum of this mans work. superb release.

night tides sophomore release welcomes two new names to the family. thommyy ra an simonn bring us the lost journey ep, a 6 tracker of analogue laden esoteric house. on the a, we have thommyy ra, label boss at nasty habits tape cltr and prone to a bi-annual name change, he contributed the silty seth nk remix of eluize’s “up all night on our labels debut record earlier this year. he opens with journey into nowhere, an eerie, coasting, synth drenched opus propelled by throbbing percussion and rippling leads, follows with die darling die a 90s touched, left of centre house cut, complete with a skipping kick and playfully nostalgic horn, and wraps the side with creepy, deep and groove heavy razzy moon. on the b, we introduce simonn for his first excursion on wax. unknown habits is a straight up, tried-and-tested party piece, its vibrant chords pulse amongst thumping drums issuing an undeniable call to the floor. he then turns his hand to something more aquatic, amphibious pads swell in lost in progress while layering percussion build before erupting into a euphoric break beat. finally, raw and unbleached is a delicate arpeggio outing, melodic ideas tumble and burst over one another, its light and dreamy yet gritty, innocence in sound

somewhere between par grindviks debut album >isle of real< and his more recent output with dax j and nihad tule lands his new solo ep, >mnemosyne<. first track >o maru< launches the three-track release with a hi-tempo, swirling vortex of kicks and claps. >dawn< opens side b with syncopated flams and twisted harmonics, while >70sheets< sees ethereal chords swell dramatically under a hypnotic groove.

in search for where the wild things are, under black helmet and label boss moerbeck have teamed up for the 12th release on code is law. sailing into the night on side a, mørbeck delivers two trippy techno cuts, while under black helmet is misbehaving on side b.

nested structure is the first great circles release from artists outside of philadelphia. thrive are tetsuya yoshida and hitoshi kojima. they both grew up in the north kanto area of japan. they first met at the club run by tetsuya yoshida called sound a base nest, which is known as having the best sound system in the north kanto area. in 2007, the duo started their dj / producing unit thrive. previous releases have included a split 12inch with keia yano for japanese label struct, and recent solo releases by hitoshi for always human tapes and for his own label ambivalent deviation. this record almost didnt happen! — tetsuya and hitoshi were picking up great circles records in japan and, having periodically communicated with each other about music, they sent us the struct 12inch to check out. while cleaning out the back of the car a few months later, the presumably empty record mailer was about to land in the recycle bin when we fortunately discovered a demo cd of unreleased thrive material inside. we drove around listening to it and week later we agreed to release a 12inch. the music on the nested structure 12inch is dark, foreboding, even outwardly threatening. its hypnotic, textural and rhythmically complex.

landing straight after 415-pr10, public releases first in a loose series of san francisco-centric compilations, this three-track 12inch is a further exploration of the bay areas sounds and aesthetics, though here its explored via remixes produced by friends from abroad. the a-side is a complete overhaul, reimagining, and extension of anonstops seaside by thee loving hand, tim goldsworthys solo moniker of choice these days. the ex-dfa records co-founder and former member of unkle took the tunes balearic foundation and used it as a bed for what one might mistake as a lost arthur russell cut from the world of echo era. joel wells lent his airy, light, sweet vocals to the track, while darren morris added synth work to bolster tim’s usual production genius. it’s carefree and emotive, the aural equivalent of a big, toothy smile. the flip features a mix thats a whole helluva lot more intense and uptempo, though no less positive than its original. chidas remix of domination is squarer and housier than beziers piece, which was glitzy classic disco dunked in italo, but enough of it remains to be unmistakably a spinoff. fiery and propulsive in the way a gulfstream jet is, its a ball of thunder that will electrify any set, any dance floor.

one of the most influential spanish techno-pop bands from the 80s is finally taking back to life one of their most successful albums. originally released in 1985, -cromosomas salvajes- marked a big step forward on the career of el aviador dro y sus obreros especializados. while keeping their message in support of the working class, nuclear energy and futuristic vision, this work had a top production, more dynamic compositions and included some of the fans favorites: -himno a

chicagos dj clent has long been revered as one of the founding figures of the city s unique juke and footwork scene. having released some of the genres earliest examples of the sound hes rightfully respected as a dj and producer in the game. 100% ghetto we 2 ghetto 4 ya! was originally released in 1998 on the legendary dance mania label and has been long sought after by fans of juke, footwork and the ghetto house sound and is quite a tough record to track down often commanding collectors prices in the used market. across 7 tracks covering various styles clent gives us his rough, ready and raw sound. uncompromising, heavy, frenetic and just plain jacking this ep still packs a serious punch! the sinister, brooding 3rd wurle still manages to sound foreboding and otherworldly, while straight up ghetto house staples let me hit it (from the back) and bang that rat still rock any soundsystem today! this is the first time 100% ghetto we 2 ghetto 4 ya! has ever been reissued in full, just as it was originally released in 1998, complete with original dance mania label artwork. 100% legit, reissued in conjunction with dance mania records, chicago il and parris mitchell. we bout it

killer electro/wave tracks by black pond. black pond is a collaboration of underground star beta evers and jeff galea from the legendary eleven pond. known for her solo work as well as various collaborative projects, beta evers can be considered the godmother of german electro wave. her beats are strict while her voice is cool and deep. jeff galea, who founded eleven pond in the mid-80s, is the master of energizing bass lines and emotional synth melodies. deepest chasms reflects their shared darkness in four melodic and atmospheric synthwave tracks that won t let go of you.

to celebrate this years record store day/black friday, coalmine records is pleased to release a special-edition 7 inch version of heltah skeltahs previously digital-only slapper, midnight madness, featuring dj revolution. as fans of the duo already know, the circa-2009 track is pure flames, and brimming with hilarious bad-guy lyricism from ruck (aka the late sean price), and his partner in rhyme, rock. the two absolutely let loose over shukos funky instrumental, as ruck drops concrete flows while rock communicates with animals.

new to the stay underground it pays gang, the ninth release on the label comes from one of the hotest & experimental berlin producer (bordeaux native) : willis anne ! after a few releases on great labels such as berçeuse héroique & nous, he’s also the proud owner of one the most interesting label we’ve seen for a while called lan (perseus traxx, steve summers, andreas gehm ...). we get the chance to get 5 cuts on one ep which is almost a mini album introducing you guys to his astonishing sound. it could be described as dreamy, raw, completely analog (his trademark), well some kind of proto-techno new-wave belter. killer.

globally recognized and respected dj and producer clif jack pairs up with producer and live specialist matteo bruscagin to present leviathan ep on resopal. the ep contains four outstanding minimal and reduced techno tracks -quantum- features slithering synth lines, a nimble and inviting baseline, and plenty of warming emotion. -zadok- is more rubbery and direct, with clacking perc, freewheeling synth lines, and bubbly, roaming drums. -hurricane- has a somber, minor-chord bassline alongside crisp, clean hi-hats while the title track leviathan toys with dancers and posesses a memorable bass line. all four tracks have laidback grooves -- loopy, organic and sexy -- effortlessly seduce the crowd.

nice price deal !!! on capsula 002r we find the remix of the tracks contained in >retardo expreso< produced by sasha carassi (globox, capsula, cusp) and phutura (minisketch, adagio, titbit)... >icsipsilongi< (sasha carassi remix) has an interesting and intense groovy sound... while >mazz & panell< is produced with a great care of every detail, a vortex of grooves, fx and synths with tribal excursions... its really a bomb!

nice price deal !!! two tracks with different taste: la oliva was produced together with tactik (alex brinken & mischa volzke) while sharing a studio in barcelona. the b side is produced in cologne together with danito. a sweet deep track with an old school groove, simply put a great track to warm up the dance floor. for this release we have two hot remixers who worked hard in the kitchen to get a delicious recipe sebastian roya and ramon tapia aka el carlito. the hands of ramon tapia changes the taste of la olivia a bit, turning it into a real dance floor demolisher .... feedbacks will say the rest. sebastian roya brings back the flavour of his hit compression with massive beats and flying melodies for his remix of puedes tocarme

nice price deal !!! supported by nick warren, timo maas, darko esser, steve porter, mark brown, d.ramirez, anderson noise, dj tee.
bit027 is by 2 italians (who do it better as we already know anyways ...) mario masullo & glitches who deliver a pure particle riot on their >pimps ride free< ep. the kids (mario masullo from rome and glitches peepz from naples) without a doubt know what they are doing on this strong as it gets 3 track ep. the message is raw driving techno with an orchestral feel and an overall extra ordinary hypnotizing mood that really breaks away from the norm and will leave the dancer behind thirsty for more. while the a-side is more on the techy driving side of things, combining orchestral sounds for creating a very quite unusual vibe, b1 goes even deeper in hypnotizing your ears and fucking with your brains, real phsychotic dancefloor madness is the key here. b2 then heads back to the melodic side of the game, without forgetting to keep a strong eye on an intense dance-floor aspect here also. melodies so sweet and clean keep flirting with your ears on this one and its just all so well put together, that it manages to keep an minimal feel, eventhough its filled with so many ideas and great sound details, that it simply leaves us behind speechless and answers the question why our new pimps, sure ride for free at the same time ...

vinalog’s new ep on relative delivers raging club music with 4 cuts balancing the uk and berlin sound with a masterful touch. the two mixes of “flashback” on the a side provide raw, nasty house with a punchy groove and luscious vocal samples. b side sees two variations of the same motif: “recall 97” has strong uk bass heavy influences with an acid touch and spanish-mumbling vocals, while “redub 97” is a more stripped down version of the latter able to deliver for the dance floor with a more broken-beat rhythmic pattern.

more rare music for your mind and your soul, this ep includes a must have deeprespecktrak from dj aakmael, while the b sides is showing lars behrenroth with his infection track and mark nicholas o with his very rare and sought after vinyl cut deep groove which originally came out on his own label - ringrose recordings from 1999

rothmans turn to debutant producer dawn again, who strides onto the football-focused label with a confident grip of otherworldly hardware jams. as is customary on the label, the mood takes on a laid back approach to four to the floor grooves, with -coloured pens- kicking off proceedings on a soaring bed of psyched-out house optimism. while -the italian- may be moodier in its demeanour, it s still just as mellow in its delivery, capitalising on alluring wave synths and reverb swells to great effect. -plain of jars- takes a trippier direction with its bubbling fx and bongo-powered beatdown, and then -lavender- switches things up with a rolling breakbeat undercarriage and plush lead lines on top.

dref033 sees the return of two long time label friends and contributors, the scottish deepbass and the italian ness. despite the fact that both of them are prolific enough solo acts as it is, once in a while they combine forces and deliver a co-produced masterpiece, to which the outer limits ep is no exception.

london s trelik returns to an artist perfectly in tune with the current stance of the british house and techno institution. och has been grafting in the european underground for more than ten years shaping out a truly formidable back catalogue. he first appeared on trelik with whalesong in 2011, while he s also contributed to baby ford s equally revered pal sl label on more than one occasion. in addition, highly-regarded outposts such as all inn, systematic and bass culture have all given och the stamp of approval, while his own autoreply label has continued to be a vital facet on the frontline of the scene. this latest three-track ep finds och on sublime form, working to a crisp, classic house template with the uncluttered precision one expects from a trelik release. the title track struts proudly out in front with its hooky dx7 lead, while -more journeys- builds up to a tougher, psychotropic blend. -sunday love- provides a perfect soulful tonic to round the ep off, rich with warm keys and irresistible shuffle. mastered at d & m.

a project that came to life fuelled by collectors obsession and a lifelong willingness to dive head- first into unknown musical wormholes, miles whittaker and sean canty have never been defined by a singular musical trajectory. their opening salvo of releases dabbled with the aesthetic of the occult and provided an alternate, parallax view of the italian library records with which they were both obsessed at the time, but as their long running mixtape series and brilliantly curated dds label attest, their interests extend far outside the crevices of early electronic music and into dance music, dancehall, roots, jungle, techno, industrial, noise and beyond. while 2013s testpressing series provided an outlet for mostly club-based productions shot from the hip, wonderland has been constructed with a narrative in mind.from the clipped hardstyle of the opening curzon, through the jaunty dancehall mutations of animal style and fulledge, exotica/house refractions on hardnoise, the frankly ridiculous, bassbin destroying jungle ructions on sourcer, or the extended tease of overstaying, its probably the most enjoyable and loose-limbed hour of music in their catalogue, or that youll likely hear in these weird, angst-ridden times.

steadily building up his profile within the realm of heads down techy house music, lee burton lands on elephant moon with an ep that fizzes with production flair while retaining a serious floor-minded focus. -15:30 (the jam)- bounces along with the kind of slinky, shuffling energy you d expect from an early cynosure record, while -12 angry apes- keeps the swing up while heading towards a more upbeat headspace. -osmosis- is one of the standout jams on the record, managing perfect threads of piano and chord in the mix to make for a sharply honed club track. -racily- then rounds the ep off with a diversion into lush electro, maintaining the soothing tones from the rest of the

having worked with the likes of don cherry and laurie anderson, there s little doubting the credentials of ramuntcho matta. emotional rescue have tapped him up for some truly outernational jams that sport african percussion, skronky jazz tones and an engaging minimalism that s hard to resist. the fretless bass and exotic animal cries of -ecoute- are especially appealing, while the squelchy sound design in -o clapo- may well do funny things to all who hear it. it s a startlingly original record that serves as a perfect introduction to a lesser known figure in leftfield music with a great heritage behind him.

from hudd trax and dessous through to one and karat, parisian producer andrade has graced many a fine label in his time. he lands on politics of dancing in fine fettle, jumping to the task with a-side cut -the bridge- like he s got something to prove. the beat is irrefutable, while the soulful chords and samples rubbed into the joints make it all the sweeter. -control- on the b-side is an airy affair that floats on plush layers of melody without losing its low-end impact. by way of variation, the remixes from dan ghenacia and art alfie simmer andrade s originals down into measured, tool-like constructions.

u is a producer and dj currently living in london. previous records for man make music have proven suitable for the club as well as home listening, while a collaboration with babe, terror as btu for erol alkan’s phantasy label was varyingly described as “pleasure with a sense of dread” (the line of best fit) and “akin to having five songs playing simultaneously on your computer” (the guardian). 2014 saw u’s debut ‘haven in a heartfelt world’ ep described as -giddy electronic fuzz that packs the subtlest of punches descends into dense glitch noise then returns triumphant gritty and melodic” (crack magazine) and “distorted dreamstates” (ransom note). after the deranged chamber­edits of vienna for where to now?, u returns to the well­trodden path between flattery and irreverence in dance music with a special edition 2-­track 12- for phantasy sound. friendly ghost enters with a splay of combat­bongos, a thin synthetic aura draws over the fluctuating rhythms before a strangely negative bassline sets the pace in nu­wave perpetual motion, inevitably spiraling back on itself into a clattering reversal. on the flip ascension hymn rushes headlong into a mechanical shunter, abruptly dragged back by a frail and singular voice reciting an uncertain mantra of self­fulfilment over this blunted hardcore epic spanning 13 minutes. pressed to heavyweight vinyl, designed and printed by the artist in an edition of 300ish.

transmitting out of birmingham and representing the cream of the sleek tech house crop, adam shelton s one records continues to forge valuable connections with the global scene while staying true to the label s roots. shaun reeves and tuccillo have been doing their thing for long enough to know how to throw down a surefooted deep groover, and that s just what you get with -smile-. meanwhile the mole does a sterling job of working some complex percussion into the bones of the track and creating a hypnotic, understated version that will appeal to the freakier end of the floor.

originally from brighton, kutmah made his name while living in the us, releasing some acclaimed mix tapes and building up connections with the brainfeeder & low end theory crews. in 2010 he was deported to the uk, lived in london for 5 years and now resides in berlin (while still holding down a show on the east london-based radio station nts). in summer 2015, prolific leftfield beatmaker kutmah released the 20-track instrumental beat album blk/smr on bandcamp. during march 2016 he selected & sequenced his favorite nine tracks for a forthcoming limited-edition 10 inch vinyl version of blk/ smr on hit+run.

after providing us with the boogie drenched tempo dreams vol. 2 compilation, la-based modern funk maestro b. bravo is back with a new 7inch that s sure to become a staple for the crates. with that feel good bassline and soulful hook, up-tempo a-side single i m for reals infectious keys will get the dancefloor moving, while b-side track stay the nights gets a very rare dubbed out remix from hawaii s mr. carmack taking things to that tropical island vibe. let the funk take you. b. bravos debut album will be out on bastard jazz in early 2017.

something from nothing is a four tracker that fuses techno sensibility with house swagger, a voice calling to detroits second wave while a hand beckons the shadowy waters of house. hearts of darkness are immersed in late nights and smoke-filled basements, with past form seeing them play fabric and bugged out! an unhealthy loyalty to vintage hardware and long forgotten code means their music is analogue, not for fashion, but because it feels right. on the a,sequential circus is purest machine funk as a driving bass bubbles into self-oscillation. next, just on for the ride bounces to a millennial deep house swing. flip it for a dense future dub workout in charlie don t surf, then hotshot closes with a pad soaked vibe for the discerning warm up. a melting pot ep with all the right ingredients. something from nothing opens the door to hearts of darkness. step inside

italian trio raw elements debuts on resopal with two tracks on their alquemia ep. with careful consideration and an acute attention to detail, each of the tracks contributes its unique vision to raw elements first package. the title track is a high-tempo minimal techno number, picking up linear momentum verse after verse while jetlag shows the trios shadowy, percussive style. no matter the time or place, there is something here for everyone. early plays by hawtin and dubfire.

h-productions proudly presents >eye sight< by cari lekebusch. this is the fifth release in the full color spectrum serie, that is aiming to result in 9 different colored vinyl 12inches. both tracks are maintaining a stripped down policy, solid sound pictures and simple arrangements - with no unnecessary elements, breaks or changes. thus giving the dj more freedom to play around during the blending. and the sound pictures have intentionally been tuned while having the various h-productions releases in mind, that came out around 1993-1997.

having earned himself the status as one of madrids hottest techno-exports, regal is back on figure with a special ep comprising both new works from him plus two creative re-interpretations by none other than radio slave. original and remix rub shoulders on the records a-side, both revolving around its enticing vocal hook. while regal employs a skipping beat and skittish percussion to conjure up an air of mystery, radioslave crawls down further the rabbits hole and uncovers the track’s slumbering lunatic qualities. on the flipside regal is back in full control, albeit this time operating in a framework a tad more housy than usual: snappy snares slice up the bubbling acid-line on the fast whirling while its eponymus vocal sample ironically asks ‘did you see it?’. equally aptly-titled slab barges right in, wielding hefty drums and a bassline that oozes groove out of every loop. as part of the digital release, the ep comes with another atmospheric radioslave-rework of from other sounds, leaning on the ambient and heavy on the subs

we welcome miles atmospheric onto the common dreams roster with two very special tracks: heal and plight. he is founder of the label atmospheric existence and is previously known as miles sagnia. you can also find him on aesthetic audio, ornate, inner shift music, and applied rhythm technology. his music keeps the raw edge of early uk electronic music, merged with his own sound that is often described as futuristic, lush and deep.
heal is the harder and darker of the two. starting with a steady, monotone baseline and solid kick, we are soon immersed into a mind elevating arpeggiation and floating chords that take it to another level.
plight is the more emotional of the two. it’s a mixture of raw frustration with a splash of passion and love. lush pads rain down from above, while we again feel that deep, dark undertone pushing through.

the eleventh modal analysis release introduces umwelt, with his debut appearance on the label. density ep is a 4 track release blending umwelt s unique style which is a perfect fit with the modal analysis aesthetic. industrial meets electro here, and the lyon based producer joins the sound of athens. density #1 fully reflects umwelts skills on enigmatic riffs and fat bass-lines. density #2 and density #3 sneak into the more dance-floor minded record bags, while density#4 feeds a melodic/melancholic feeling whilst hard hitting beats bring it home.

it s time to present hund records 003. the third release of the new born label is a really minimal bomb. the 2 originals are made by a serious work by dubfuss and phatool, hund resident djs and also co- owner of the same name label. dubtool 1 is a track with some dark infuences while dubtool 2 is a pure dance foor track.

with liam peete s techno project fac3off break new soil labelowner gregor tresher will again meet the taste of all lovers of banging bigroom techno monsters. while the basic vibe always remains dark the trapez artists always finds ways to stick in some additional harmonies and vocal snippets to make that extra difference

the europe-centered techno scene might be thinking: where is techno in a city as vast, dynamic and electric as new york? it’s alive and well, and keeps growing through aptly-named new york trax. founded in 2016 and based in brooklyn, new york trax is an outlet for new york music, by new york artists, in new york city. new york trax 02 was written by boris brenecki (ontal, impulse controls), who has recently relocated to new york, starting a new chapter in his life and artistic career. this record is the very first material he produced in new york, heavily inspired by the city and its people. ‘the oven’, with its continuous filthy groove intensified by metallic percussions, is a serious candidate for an instant classic and a deadly weapon when used on a dancefloor. the grittiness of “the oven” was depicted through images of the less beaten paths of new york in a well-received official video published recently by the label. dark yet insanely dynamic “transit system”, based on field recordings of the new york city subway, opens with a bang the b side of the record, followed by “strictly hardcore”, a sonic manifesto of brutality. get it while it’s hot!

alek s offers up another dose of pensive techno vibes in his “paradise lost” ep. side a opens up with “bold”, a slice of laid back while still pounding techno, boasting zippy synths with an unmistakable analog flavour. it’s closely followed by andres zacco’s rework of “honey wheat”, an apt reconstruction of the original that’s aimed squarely at the dancefloor. the argentinian producer and recent ilian tape alumni dives in with a powerful groove, cutting its way through a suspended atmosphere full of spaced out sounds. over on the b-side we’re greeted with “paradise lost”, a slow-paced melody that gradually shifts into a dreamy groove filled with spaced out drums and abstract delays. last but not least, the original version of “honey wheat” is a somewhat atmospheric, yet functional floor warmer that fits a resigned groove.

manchester native alex coulton has nurtured a reputation for creating sub-heavy rollers thanks to 12”s for the likes of black acre, livity sound and bloc. with gamma ray burst, the next in his series of releases on london low-end specialists tempa, coulton consolidates his sound to deliver some of the most sparse, rhythmic work of his career. with the record’s title track, coulton weaves from hard-hitting kicks, through to dizzying tribal polyrhythms the whole time maintaining a minimal, space driven atmosphere that remains omnipresent throughout the track’s most intense moments. ‘ground zero’ revels in its spaciousness, allowing reverb to flood into the negative space between flashes of heavyweight techno percussion and saturated ripples of synth while the pulsating kicks that underpin ‘alpha decay’ are punctuated with bleak, discordant bells, rhythmic bass hits and hypnotic filtered percussion. showing his diverse abilities, ‘phase two’ is an exercise in measured restraint, as a cacophony of clicks and hisses come together to disorientate before forming a driving rhythm section before coulton maximises his expansive elements on the fog-tinged ‘ascent’. closing with the steady flowing, brighter-hued melodic work of ‘distant resonance’, alex coulton has created a masterful collection of experimental tech-focused electronica that bewilders, intrigues and will draw the listener in with each play.

avalon emerson’s latest ep, narcissus in retrograde, explores four different styles that shape her distinct voice as a producer and songwriter, from symphonic showstoppers to broken acid. opener “natural impasse“ ferries massive melodic themes through a network of emotive capillaries that’s underpinned by charging drums, while “dystopian daddy“ dons a theatrical flare with costume-changing arpeggiators and digital brass beef that command attention like a stage-hogging space alien diva lip-syncing for new wig money. the b-side takes a more menacing turn with “why does it hurt“, the outright techno achievement of the record, and the snarling closer “groundwater“. ethereal vocals on the former punctuate kicks and growls that sound like they were pulled from a pedal monster’s electric guitar, and on “groundwater“, a crucible of fucked breaks and acid cut a ravine through a bed of off-staccato hats and a sample swamp.

300 copies only - a dream interpreted through notes and sounds coming from the soul, this is the perception that we have received while listening to this ep an union between old and new electronic school and pure house music elements. dj aakmael real name greg stewart pioneer and researcher of sounds, being a true music head, the development of his style is the result of a lifetime of musical influence. growing up in a talented musical family meant that he was always surrounded by different forms of music. this time give us a new perception of the his mind with the “journey ep“, 4-tracks with a drum line never invasive, relaxing synth that weave through articulated words. label the release sustain directed by arierep gabriel & eduardo tavares . notable the remixes from other two masters losoul (journey remix) with a gentle hi hat, a great fx that emphasize the entire melody making fluid the entire track and, norm talley (smoother remix) a pure old school house construction, warm synth inside with an attractive drum line. an excellent ep!

blawans new side project bored young adults is up next on will bankheads label the trilogy tapes. the shy dancers on bungalowdorf beach features some restrained and slow burning techno experiments that differ from jamie roberts more usual hard-hitting sounds. the seething title track treads the same path as kassem mosse or vactrol park. the fentanyl techno of but we need this bench sounds like an old regis record played on 8, while devoted fans of the young uk producers sound will get something a bit more familiar on the menacing hypnotic techno grinder check up from the neck up.

saint petersburg summers are an open window for a never setting sun. -white nite- sees the untitled gear collective paying tribute to this season where they reside. the title track follows the sun s behaviour stubbornly locked in groove, while blinks of bright rhythms wax and wane. -just better- and -it s wonderful- bend between hooks and ambiguous tones, shining through as two reflective dance songs, yes, there is singing in both!

following the warm reception of the dance 2xlp album + live cd recording last year, kontra-musik now presents the dance remixes the dance remixed 2 features an ever-growing remix by efdemin - peak hour material without being boorish, just the way kontra-musik likes it. wa wu we and voices from the lake follow up with two tropical jungle expeditions: wa wu we s version of -fusion- is feverishly humid and hot while voices from the lake takes the nocturnal route, brooding darkness, heavy rain and strange creatures of the night squirming away from the flashlight. finally, northern electronics own ulwhednar (abdulla rashim & varg) takes the listener to completely different latitudes with a hyperborean remix filled with chilling harmonies and gangrene-inflicted beats.

rolling minimalistic groovers from birdsmakingmachine for the ninth instalment of the series. a versatile ep that keeps in line with the bmm trademark sound, while offering a track for each mood, from more dancefoor-oriented club music to stripped down afterparty vibes passing through broken beat influences and eclectic atmospheric soundscapes.

after repeatedly being visited by a strange messenger in his dreams while on tour in the islands of greece, toby pazner became consumed with a vision to tell the stories of theolympians through music. chosen by the gods as a messenger for not only his musical gifts, but for his unique position at the center of the daptone family, toby built a home studio from scratch and employed some of the top soul musicians in the world to help him breath life into this album. the result is a dramatic and cinematic journey to the outer limits of instrumental soul music, built on a foundation laid by the same craftsmen who’s bricks built the legacies of sharon jones, lee fields, charles bradley, the budos band, and menahan street band, and painted with lush strings, harpsichord, harp and horns. the olympians is destined to be the instrumental gem of the year.
the vinyl lp includes a download code.