Techno News

Two decades. Twenty years. Twenty compilations. Over 400 tracks. Over two days of total playing time and countless coloured dots. If someone would have told us in 1999, when we put together TOTAL 1 that this would turn into one of the longest standing compilation series in techno world we would have laughed out loud. But here we are – in the year 2020 which will probably go down in history as the most difficult period ever for club culture. But we won’t stop doing what we’re doing. Music is our oxygen. We’ll dance together soon again.

The TOTAL series has always been like KOMPAKT’s yearbook and to say it with the late Frank Sinatra: It was a very good year. Our family of artists delivered a strong heterogeneous mix of uplifting sounds, from the lush reveries of ROBAG WRUHME and SOELA to the stark primetime bangers of MARC ROMBOY or ANNA & KITTIN and everything in between. Notable new entries to our crew are the Londoner KIWI with his wonderfully careless “Hello Echo” that picks up the camp disco vibes Justus Köhncke made a staple in our repertoire. Amsterdam’s DAVID DOUGLAS delivers an appetizer for a full course meal. His quirky pop approach sits comfortably between fellow dutchmen WEVAL’s abstract beats and AGENTS OF TIME’s opulent Italo Disco. YOTAM AVNI blends Detroit techno with new age jazz that reminisces the sound of ECM artists like Jan Garbarek or John Surman. The man with the hat, KÖLSCH also picks up jazzier notes in his very own big room style. Youngblood JONATHAN KASPAR appears twice, fortifying his status as one of the hottest beat smiths of our hometown Cologne. TOTAL wouldn’t be TOTAL without our permanent staff present in full force. As per tradition, KOMPAKT’s founding fathers, VOIGT & VOIGT, JÜRGEN PAAPE, JÖRG BURGER, MICHAEL MAYER as well as our Berlin outpost SASCHA FUNKE all deliver exclusive gems that also feature on Total 20’s double vinyl edition.

May TOTAL 20 become your trustworthy companion in these uncertain times.

Zwei Dekaden. Zwanzig Jahre. Über 400 Tracks. Über zwei Tage Gesamtspielzeit und zahllose bunte Punkte. Wenn uns jemand im Jahr 1999, als wir die erste TOTAL zusammengestellt haben, gesagt hätte, dass sie der Startschuss für eine der langlebigsten Compilation-Reihen in der weiten Welt der elektronischen Musik werden würde - wir hätten wahrscheinlich laut gelacht. Aber hier sind wir, 2020, ein Jahr, das wahrscheinlich als eines der schwierigsten Jahre für die Clubkultur in die Geschichte eingehen wird. Aber: Wir machen weiter. Musik ist unser Sauerstoff. Und wir werden hoffentlich bald wieder zusammen tanzen. Die TOTAL Serie war schon immer unser Jahrbuch. Und um es mit dem großen Frank Sinatra zu sagen: It was a very good year. Denn unsere Künstlerfamilie hat uns auch in den vergangenen 12 Monaten zuverlässig mit einer kunterbunten Mischung großartiger Musik beglückt, - von den tiefen Träumereien eines ROBAG WRUHME oder der russischen Wahlberlinerin SOELA bis hin zu den kompromisslosen Technobangern eines MARC ROMBOY oder von ANNA & KITTIN und den vielen Schattierungen dazwischen. Beachtenswerte Neuzugänge unserer Label-Familie sind dabei der Londoner KIWI mit seinem herrlich sorglosen "Hello Echo", das nahtlos an die campen Disco-Visionen eines Justus Köhncke anknüpft. DAVID DOUGLAS aus Amsterdam macht es sich stilistisch zwischen seinen Nachbarn WEVAL und AGENTS OF TIME's opulenten Italo Disco gemütlich. YOTAM AVNI beschreitet neues musikalisches Terrain mit einer kunstvollen Symbiose aus Detroit Techno und New Age Jazz, die uns angenehm an Jan Garbarek oder John Surmans große Momente auf dem Münchner ECM Label erinnert. Auch KÖLSCH experimentiert an der Schnittstelle von Jazz zu seinem hochenergetischen Big Room Sound. Der Kölner JONATHAN KASPAR findet sich gleich zwei Mal auf TOTAL 20 und untermauert damit seinen Status als heißester “Newcomer” der Domstadt. TOTAL wäre nicht TOTAL, wenn nicht das gesamte Stammpersonal mit neuen, exklusiven Stücken vertreten wäre. Die Gründerväter VOIGT & VOIGT, JÜRGEN PAAPE, JÖRG BURGER und MICHAEL MAYER dürfen dabei ebenso wenig fehlen, wie unser Berliner Außenposten SASCHA FUNKE. Wie gewohnt finden sich die exklusive Stücke auch auf der TOTAL 20 Doppel Vinyl Edition. Möge Euch TOTAL 20 ein verlässlicher Begleiter in diesen unsicheren Zeiten sein.

the next big shot on keine musik !!! bombe !!!

Part Two

Blue VINYL

Bondage-Music welcome back Mihai Popoviciu, to present his new “Azul” EP comprising four original compositions from the Romanian artist, the release contains 2 vinyl only tracks.

Memento Recordings is proud to welcome on board the new comer N-Gel, with his stunning “No Matter Who I’m” E.P..
On the full-length of the A side, “Pure” juicy gurgles synthetic sequences over a court of crispy old-school drums, slowly ascending into an overcoming roll climax.
On side B “Electro Boogie” is a lively stimulating morodesque ride invaded by a catchy arpeggio and enjoyable drums.
The E.P. ends with the refreshing 808 splashes of “Seven”, a dance floor killer bridging the darker side of electronica with full bodied jacky functionalism.

The Analogue Cops are back on Memento, after their acclaimed remix of Francesco Farfa “Synchronicty 13”, with “Lucretio versus Marieu Vol. 1”.
This will be the first chapter of a series dedicated to a tidy compromise-less selection of their most groundbreaking club oriented tracks. On Lucretio’s side, “Accelerating Osc” is a minimalistic relentless techno cut that explores algorithmic sequencing and the boundaries of real-time delay manipulation in Kyma; pounding away, “Neon 3” is a furious peak-time ride with jacking drums, sharp hi-hats and worrisome hypnotic synthesizers.
Marieu’s side is a slower paced groove affair focused on his distinguishing seductive use of sampling: “Alterate Indigo” festive bass line and enthusiastic cymbals blossom with an enchanting blues piano and an handful of filtered quirks, while “Room Mate” combine hot vocal hooks and a funky bass-line with a massive kick-drum.

produce by john dahlbäck

For their twelfth installment, Scatcity welcomes the duo Colossio & Sobek. Label head Skatman also makes an appearance on remix duty.

A versatile EP that combines the influences of both artists, low-tempo, tribal grooves, bi-zarre vocals, and deep melodies are the core of this EP named "Fragmentado".

Artwork by Crustcat

Limited Edition 2X12" LP pressed on virgin 150 gram customized "midnight blue" transparent colored vinyl, packaged in a black LP sleeve with a custom chrome sticker. These will be housed in a resealable Japanese imported poly sleeve with anti-static sleeves. A Detroit classic, played and charted by Marcel Dettman, Richie Hawtin, Francois K, Juan Atkins and countless others, long out-of-print gem!

Thisorder records is proud to announce the debut of SUBFORM, young talented artist coming out of the milanese team. This preview release, anticipating the official release in september, is a limited massive onesided promo featuring a stanning remix by TOLGA FIDAN. Enjoy our soundtrack for your brilliant upcoming summer....Share the vibe with us.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huñvre and his Toulouse crew land on Motoring with a
varied Minimal EP full of, tenebrous, hazy & nature lled
soundscapes.

Breathtaking debut album by Spacetravel.

After the phenomenal send100.1 'Check Check' feat. Konrad Cadet aka Baby Ford with remixes by Mihai Popoviciu and Dub Taylor, this is the long awaited vinyl follow up. The Sender 100 saga continues with another superb vinyl release by Benno Blome.

All three tracks from the Mind Control EP- vinyl 12inch will be available digitally in three different releases (send100.3 / send100.4 / send100.5), each track an individual catalogue-number.

Side A: Survivor Testimony (send100.5) Benno Blome & Joss With fast 45 Rpm on the vinyl, was produced by Benno Blome and Joss, his ukrainian friend from Kiev. They started producing the track in Joss's studio when Benno had a gig in Kiev, and finished it in Berlin. A special emotional mood with Juno 60 strings and a spoken testimony from a female CIA-mind control-project-survivor. Real deep shit!

TIJN & Mancini team up to deliver the Wogglebug EP, two raw stripped back sonic ideas with vibrant dynamics and lively synth work. A groove-steady backbone of basslines and swingy percussions is complemented by superb stylistic remix work from the Leftback Records bossman Dudley Strangeways.

No introduction needed, KiNK gets the remix treatment from Matthew Herbert, Josh Wink, Dusky & Radio Slave... Two volumes cut for maximum impact.

L/F/D/M, "Richard Smith", Brighton based producer who comes
to Alley Version after several killer releases for labels like Cititrax/Minimal Wave, Optimo Trax and collaborations with
Factory Floor’s Dominic Butler on Powell’s Diagonal Records.

“Club Germs On My Clothes” is a 4 tracks EP in which are recognizable elements of ebm, minimal wave, industrial, jackin, shaped in experimental hardware-driven raw-techno forms.
Pressed on 12″ White Coloured Vinyl. Limited Edition of 150 Copies.

Duky vs Odette, a journey from America to Europe

The A-side - Departure
Label boss Duky delivers two tracks that fuse the elements of grass roots, blues and jazz with a solid forward marching arrangement that result in two organic, groovy cuts that remind us of a coming of age, right of passage. A happy carelessness that is needed and welcome in these trying times.
‘Head In the Clouds’ is a vision of a young man's hopes and dreams as to how he views the world filled with positivity.
‘Ari’ is a very flirtatious cut, spunky, whimsical and jolly piece that is reminiscent of someone giving their farewell to their family right before embarking on an adventure showcasing a sense of love, life, and home. strong and delicate all at the same time.

The B-side - Arrival
Odette delivers her take on what the current tone and mood can be felt throughout the old country where everything, despite the adversities, continues to move forward at a steady pace, deep and eclectic, as it's showcased in ‘Creme de Violette’.
Culminating in smooth jazz, hip-hop, deepness that can be considered a soothing lullaby. Perfectly arranged as proper send off to a short but enlightening trip into the new sounds of the old country in form of the ‘Tough Enough’.

The vinyl as whole tells the story of two minds meeting and sharing their thoughts, hopes and dreams in an intelligent, cohesive way balancing their mutual commonalities and differences.
Vinyl Only - Limited

The EP titled "Venere pribegind" tells the two part story of Venere (Venus) and her eternal odyssey around the Sun, as we gaze upon it on our wild blue yonder. At dusk, she walks the heavens in a spirited, yet sorrow pace, a reminder of the dawn that follows.

The EP titled "Venere pribegind" tells the two part story of Venere (Venus) and her eternal odyssey around the Sun, as we gaze upon it on our wild blue yonder. At dusk, she walks the heavens in a spirited, yet sorrow pace, a reminder of the dawn that follows.

White Vinyl

"RAWAX" proudly welcomes Germano Ventura & Giovanni Verrina aka
HOWL Ensemble to the Family! Well ... what can we say ...?? - The first of many (we hope so!) - is a KILLER RELEASE!

Black Vinyl Edition

RAWAX proudly presents Ricardo Villalobos - AsloHop EP!
We are more than happy to welcome The Mastermind back on our label!

Subosc announces a new vinyl release by Tin Man & Foreign Material.

Born in 1978 and raised in California, Tin Man started releasing records in 2004 and established his reputation as a solid techno producer, with impactful releases on labels such as Acid Test, Killekill, and Pomelo.

Foreign Material has a Conservatoire and History background, which shaped his interest in dark atmospheres and techno music. His spirit of techno is a mix of ancient myths and futuristic visions. He is known for his releases on Curle, Norite and Supercinema.

Together they deliver a multi-faceted collaboration with 3 original tracks that provide a lush, hypnotic, mysterious, yet enticing voyage that spans across the functional and mental spectrum.
The narration is intense, at traits metaphysical and dramatic, and always evocative.

From a technical perspective, the artists provide an interesting blend of monophonic and polyphonic synths with percussive elements.
Delays and reverbs also play an important role, adding an interesting density and spatial awareness to the ground structure.
The percussive modeling is precisely coordinated with the synth action, leading to a peculiar form of ritualistic techno with stargazing effects.

In addition to the original tracks, Claudio PRC provides an impressive signature ambient techno reinterpretation of "Drowning" with an evolving and energetic yet atmospheric attitude.

A special artwork hand-designed by Paw Grabowski complements this full cover vinyl release.
The EP is a true timeless collector item available as a limited pressing. Don't miss it!

No Waves return with its seventh release that brings you
Pure Dub techno from Stephan Bazbaz & Per Hammar

Folder 001 is the presentation EP of ART21. This first Ep includes themes from four great artists, Click Box, Lectromeda, Puritan and SHNGL. It consists of four pieces, two with a more Techno style, Random Session and OM 40, and two more of Acid style, Horse Phase and remix. Cover Art created by Matías Al Margen. Mastered by Eternal Midnitgh Studio. Designed and produced by ART21. "Everything you can imagine is real" - Pablo Picasso.

Repress