Techno News

2x12"

Dutch Techno master Orlando Voorn has opened up his archive for the first of what will be an ongoing artist focused series brought to you by new imprint Above Board Projects.The compilation will be spread across 2 double 12" volumes and will feature tracks from many of Voorn's pseudonyms including; Fix, Baruka, The Ghetto Brothers, Mute & many more. We are proud to introduce the first of a 2-part archival collection entitled 'Diligence'. Each track featured on the compilation has been carefully selected and programmed in conjunction with Orlando Voorn and the Above Board Projects team. Voorn has an extremely long and storied career in making music and is severely underrated as a producer in our humble opinion. His DJ skills are, of course, legendary, with him winning the prestigious DMC mixing championships in 1986 in his native Holland and making a career as one of the country's leading Hip-Hop DJ's. As a producer he has long been linked to numerous legendary producers and releases, counting labels such as Fragile, Metroplex and more as homes for his output. His association and collaborations with Detroit have been the stuff of legend since day one and some of the music contained within these compilations celebrate that while showcasing some of the more overlooked tracks from the man's more than extensive catalogue. Part 1 includes some serious rarities and some straight up, futurist Techno heat, take the majestic technoid melodies of comp opener 'Diligent' from one of Voorn's most well loved alias' FIX for example, completely worlds apart from the jacking and sparse Funk of Baruka's killer 'Technision'. Flawless selections from the early 90's sitting alongside later productions only go to show how diverse and talented an artist Voorn is and how fresh and vital his music still is today. An essential collection for any serious techno lover.

alter basic channel stuff, ein klassiker vor dem herrn

The Palm Trees Whistle In The Pink Meteor Shower. An Entanglement Of Nature's Mystical Tones Settle. Sonics Trigger Movement In The Oceans Crust While Giants Filter The Earth's
Waters, Thrusting The Waters With Their Gnarly Space Knobs. The Damsel In Distress Is A Hadronic Mechanical Design Like No Other, Moulded, Tested And Shaped By The Entheogen
Melanges Of The Omegian Race. Many A Cosmic Knight Whipped There Sword Out To Retrieve , But In Rightful And Aware Conquest The Dilation And Deja Vu Of Multidimensional Experiences Returned The Opal Tone To The Omega Men. The Midi Rain Will Dance , And The Grooving Aqua Orbs Of Life Will Continue On. - Eddie

(special coloured vinyl limited to 500 copies) Music Man celebrates its 30th birthday with a limited series of special coloured vinyls, containing 2 classic tracks that were important in the labels history. Up next are Robert Hood's 'And Then We Planned Our Escape' (MM138, 2007) and Ignacio's (aka Steve Rachmad) 'Organa' (Remastered, MM038, 1997).

For over five years, Canadian artist Patrick Holland has developed an inimitable perspective on melodic, freewheeling house music. And the myriad tracks he writes as Project Pablo have come to embody both the sensibilities of the producer and the environs of his Montreal home. Inside Unsolved, Project Pablo's dynamic four-tracker for Spectral, specifically looks to Holland's local clubs and Canada's dance music past for inspiration. The old records of labels such as Steel City and Map Music course through the lush synths of emotional roller "Pressure No Impact" and the light-footed swing of "Big Room Delusion." While standing on the dancefloor at MUTEK two years ago, Holland dreamt up "Pill" in all of its billowy, percussive charms. Lead track "The Solution" cooly and confidently kicks things off with the kinds of earworm synthlines, rich atmospheres, and effortless grooves now synonymous with Project Pablo. Inside Unsolved is yet another classy and classic record from an unstoppable force of quality dance music.

Eduardo De La Calle has been doing his thing since the early 2000s, but the last couple of years have seen him move into overdrive. Releases on Planet E, Hivern Discs, Nitsa Trax, Turbo Recordings, Gigolo and Darkroom Dubs to name just a few have shown he is both prolific and consistent, and this new four-track collection is just as compelling as his recent output.rnrnDistortion Theory III is a whirring hypnotic machine jam that melds shimmering synth snippets to mind-bending FX undulations and throbbing low end. Disorientating and wonky as hell, it's the sound of a funky computer malfunction somewhere in deep space.rnrnLight Tunnel continues the theme, coming across like the dying throes of space station spinning out of control due to excessive amounts of sub bass. It's a dizzying, disorientating ride.rnrnAcid Aaron C (Edit) wastes no time getting down to business with its gurgling, incessant 303 line present from the get-go. Shuffling percussion rubs up against heady female vocal lines and wonky detuned 8-bit synth blips, the undercurrent of the track swelling and calming seemingly at will. rnrnThe Dub Math takes things down a notch with hazy sounds and plodding sub bass combining with heavily reverbed vocal incantations which all combine to bring together the vibe referenced in the title.

4 track EP by Huey Mnemonic from Flint MI
Vanity Press

*PRESSED IN DETROIT - OFFICIAL* Next in the string of Metroplex reissues is 'Nature of the Beast' - a total classic by duo Mike Grant and Damon Peterson as Black Noise. Another techno essential. BIG TIP!

For their second release Anopolis Records' presents a versatile V.A. compilation with 4 tracks ranging from breakbeat to lo-fi house and techno while acid vibes are evident throughout.

Staying true to those bottom heavy US house vibes, the Freak is back with a release even chunkier than the first on this imprint.

The mysterious and self proclaimed creator of 'concrete funk' ensures that all four tracks of this release deserve serious floor space.

Side A is a perfect merger off a Chicago v Detroit sound, with jacking drums overlapping deep but never dull chords and stabs. With stabs of vocals reminding the room that you are seriously 'Mackin tha Heat'.

The B-side shows a completely different sound to the freak with chunky acid house sounds accompanied by a track that has a hypnotic techno style groove from start to end.

Limited to 200 copies, Hand stamped.

Indigo aera's AEX series strikes again with a solid five track selection on AEX009. Curated by Jasper Wolff and Maarten Mittendorff they invited five like-minded friends with their take on techno and electronics.

Production duo D&S starts with a seven minutes of warm and moody grooves on 'The Invisible Workings'. Followed by the nostalgic dub tinged pads from De Lichting affiliate Kaap and Rotterdam based producer Ben Buitendijk showcasing his ambient side with 'Head In The Clouds' where he leads you to bright and dreamy territories. On the b-side ESHU's Tetelepta returns to the series with his trademark rhythmic and minimalistic approach and fresh debutant Human Space Machine closes things off with a melodic uplifting take for dance-floor ecstacy.

Vince Watson remixing "icons" from the Transmat back catalogue. Rhythim Is Rhythim's 1991 classics Icon and Kao-tic Harmony (with help from Carl Craig) recreated & remixed on special request from Derrick May himself by Vince Watson.

Finally repressed !

You have classics and then you have this... Strings of Life. The two original versions as they appeared on the original pressing in 1987 backed with the ultimate flanger track ,,Kaos (Juice Bar Mix)" on the b-side. Long out of print... now back on Transmat Classics!

Detroit Acid master Jared Wilson with 4 fresh grooves that makes your ears melt...

perfectly merging Detroit & UK Techno heritage

The fourth release of Another Earth, a small Dutch vinyl only label with limited 300 pressings, has finally arrived. The A side is proper techno created by Dave Simon. A1 In Acid We Trust is a peak time acid techno track and A2 Path of Ability has a warm Detroit feel. The B side by Anders Ilar together with John H is more obscure. Deep weird acid techno that seems to come from another planet. Uncertain Principle feels like its exploring the surface of a strange planet with it's weird soundscapes and Field of Vision is a deep obscure acid track with a proper groove. Both tracks have a great analog feel to them.

Current Age is the first vinyl release from Chicago newcomer label Tres Dias.

Label head and artist Juanne takes us on a visceral journey with three tracks that dig deep into your headspace. Taking from his experiences in the underground and its outer edges lends to create an audible sequence that manifested as the CURRENT AGE ep.
“Crops” is the intro track and invites you into a dark ethereal landscape. With a dreamy, haunting vocal, somber keys and ravenous bassline that grabs you and leads you in.
“Rivers” is the second offering and a tribute to the A.M. dance floor. Hypnotic synths, warehouse sounds and core shattering bass.
“Point of Entry”smashes in as the final track and most dance floor heavy tune on the ep. Nothing short of beating sounds all through your gutty wuts.
Artwork by Chicago's Stephen Cadiz
Mastered by the talents of New York's D.Schoenemann.

DMT 013 is Philippe Petit's first and only techno attack for 2017.

The record starts with 'Lose Yourself (Part I)', an atmospheric track with a groovy rhythmic pattern that builds into a menacing acid trip. It continues with 'One Life', using some very clear dubby pads, snare and toms, its underlying baseline bringing a happy feeling to the E.P. 'Lose Yourself (Part II)' is aggressive and hypnotic at the same time, its intricate structure leading the listener to a state of trance. The record ends with 'Distant Memories', a prime time techno cut with several layers of synths to cover all sound frequencies to devastating effect.

ES-Q already successfully emerged on the scene with the massive club banger 'friend zone' on PXU. With his new EP called enter the system he strikes hard, again 4 straight up dance floor fillers for all the ravers dedicated to bleep!!!

Nous'klaer welcomes back Simi aka SBC aka S. Hoffmann from the LACKRec. crew. Two driving jams for the bigger rooms, probably the most techno techno on Nous'klaer yet. Illustration by Emma Ruth Levie.

Illusions is the new work by DOTHEDU made of 5 sexy bumping tracks EP which explore over the fields of house music and detroit techno vibes with gentle acid splashes and charming ladies voices.

As per ritual all covers have been individually treated, crafted, handprinted and assembled by DOTHEDU.

Please note: “comes in different individually treated covers, we cannot guarantee which one you will receive”

Somewhere between germany and italy the signals were found. and what we heard from DISTANT ECHOES is dystopic techno in his own definition.
Echoes, Echoes everywhere...

Find the debut EP here, 4 tracks for the floor, the home, the road...

Essential reissue to launch new the Craigie Knowes sublabel 'Wormhole Wisdom'. Jamie Odell's 'The Loxodrome E.P.' has been sought after for years by collectors. The Discogs sharks have made a pretty penny, but their hour is up! All 4 tracks have also been remastered with care by Alden Tyrell; keeping their original charm while equipping them for the new millennium. Enter the Wormhole and take a step back to 1994!

Orbis X is a sublabel of Orbis Records and will be mainly focusing on softer yet often usable as DJ material for the broader mass interested in Electronic music. This sublabel is an extension of Orbis Records softer, more melodical and experimental side.

Music will be ranging from house, dub, chicago over melodic acid and even breaks. Not any track makes it to this sublabel if it can't stand on its own and stand the test of time! We warmly welcome the Dutch duo Dennis Pors & Stephan de Bruijn to OrbisX. New fresh talent, ready to conquer the world. We feel obliged to support these
fine gentlemen to get their music spread across the globe. Dennis & Stephan know each other through their musical perspectives.
They share a similar taste for music, Detroit techno. Before they worked together, Dennis experimented with deep house through digital synths and learned the ins and outs of programming music in Logic.
Stephan was well known with the detroit techno scene. His passion goes out to well balanced electronic music with hypnotizing emotional feeling to it. Add a layer of atmospheric grooves on top of that and you have the perfect blend to potential timeless music.
Soon enough they made the switch to analog gear to be able to create a cleaner and better sound. After three years of hard work, they have reached the sound they were looking for. And this is it!
Their debut on vinyl. D&S servers a full EP called Thoughts EP. A great cocktail of dreamy and diverse electronic tunes. This EP fits well in the back of any DJ bag to warm up the place or fix the atmosphere on roof-top bar in NYC. Smooth cruising, roof down car music or background music on a spring night with a summery breeze This EP is amazing and works best on a big sounds systems and major festivals! Childs play , what s in a name. Nothing like that melody. Creating a generously opening atmosphere, but actually brilliantly mixed creating the perception of simplicity. Groovy, acid touches and funky. Can t keep still when being played. A-track for sure! Thoughts might have a dark feel to it but evolves in a very uplifting track in just a few moments, making
it very bright and fun to play. Shed light to the place, should have been a great title as well, but thoughts is the best name for this track. The story in this track is definitely there to be told and listened to. Edge Of Insanity kicks of the B-side. Goosebumps, as from the start. Building up slowly to a very melodic and yet simply track, it s the perfect translation for a sunrise at the beach. Potential
Ibiza hit if you ask us. Submission is a track straight out of a movie. Clever, nice build up, dreamy, spacey and above all so amazingly subtle. This is what falling in love should sound like. We re humble. We re amazed. We re honoured to host D&S. We hope this duo gets the attention

Of indisputable +313 vintage, Scan 7 with deep roots in the rich musical heritage of Detroit techno, announce their new triple vinyl album since 20 years on Deeptrax Records.

Scan 7 which is very close related to Underground Resistance, forms a mysterious Detroit underground collective and with this triple album, Scan 7 is back at the front with a varied style from Metroplex reminisced electro to stringing, banging techno and from deeper Detroit house to epic rooted galaxian jazzy vibes, bringing back the heydays of techno's most influential period ever. Starting with the energetic 'Stringing me along' with thick Deja-Vu UR/ DJ Rolando flashes, towards the political tinged nu-classic electro 'It's time' and from Berghain/ Tresor bangers like 'I'm covered' with the frightening words 'no weapons formed against me shall prosper' until deep vibin' floating house sounds from the Motor city, this album is full of energetic tracks with undeniable deeply rooted futuristic funk and experimental Motown vibrations.

SCAN 7`s name (originating from the word DETROIT, which consists of 7 letters, and its area code, 313 (which, added up, equals 7)) will forever remain definitively techno and wholeheartedly Detroit and is here with this 3xLP to infiltrate and knock out!

High-Tech-Soul bliss and Ambient Techno magic by one of Scotlands finest! Vital Sales Points: - Transmat, Djax Up Beats, Subject Detroit legend Stephen Brown returns to a.r.t.less - Extensive Global Play by Derrick May

Swiss producer Deetron returns to Music Man Records with Heartwalking EP due out on the 23rd of November.

Fresh from releasing his DJ-Kicks mix in March of this year and the Storytellers 2x12 with DJ Bone, Heartwalking is a two track EP playing with fast moving and melodic techno. The title track is a high energy cut which tumbles over precise drums patterns and thumping bass. Heartwalking AM version adds a euphoric melody, guaranteed to keep people on the dance floor until the early hours. A perfectly composed set which continue his legacy of making thoughtful and skilful dance music.

Charles Trees. Myth, tall tale, legend of a human being, one of those people who one minute you'll be scouring reddit for obscure content and the next, stepping on stage to casually DJ to thousands of people like “no big whoop” at a French music festival. Charles is unassuming, the kind of person who effortlessly mixes ghettotech into soul for lulz, who samples a speech (/rant) by Funkmaster Flex in an acid track, or rides BMG & Derek Plaslaiko’s “True Story of a Detroit Groove” with Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray” for 8 minutes straight.

Charles' relationship with electronic music started early. In high school, Dave Shayman (Disco D) introduced Charles to DJing and he was a regular at Dubplate Pressure*– Todd Osborn's now-legendary record store in Ann Arbor. By 1998, he was already playing on raves in Detroit. A year later, he was the first person to show Zach Saginaw (Shigeto) to Ghostly International, arguably altering the course of our lives forever. In the late 2000s, they became label mates on Moodgadget, the record label of Jakub Alexander (Heathered Pearls).

Through out the years, Charles has been a musical mentor (whether DJing, producing or throwing shows) to many, danced at every weekly at every venue in Ann Arbor & Detroit, produced Hip Hop, and fronted a psych rock band. He has released music on Moodgadget (US), Musique Large (FR), Lovemonk (ES), Vanity Press (US) and JFX Lab (FR). Today, between DJing, hosting radio shows and producing new music, Charles regularly throws shows/parties/raves, and hosts a monthly at Deluxx Fluxx.

We love Charles Trees and we're proud to present "2019," the eighth record on Portage Garage Sounds.

*Additional reading: Dubplate Pressure: was the precursor to Technical Equipment Supply; how Todd Osborn was discovered by Richard D. James and signed to Rephlex Records; where Sam Valenti IV, the founder of Ghostly International, met Tadd Mullinix (Dabrye, JTC, Charles Manier, X-Altera); one of the reasons why we're all here

"Got No"
Hit the ground running.
Chopped up vocal stabs and a playful syncopated melody accompany this percussion heavy two-step shuffle as it speeds down the Lodge on a Friday night in Detroit.

"Think First"
Undeniable rhythm section pocket.
Acoustic bass and dirty ride symbols swing alongside lush keyboards and sprinkles of light melodicism in this psych house banger.
Think St. Germain with CAN playing a warped version of "Rose Rouge."

"In Arms"
Crave the rave. Whips crack and sizzle in this dubbed out techno slapper. A modern take on a classic sound. Trees conjures an era close to his heart: when the warehouse was church and service didn't stop until the sun came up.


"Acja feat. Marcus Elliot ("12 club mix)
Beautifully understated and triumphant.
This closer marks the return of Detroit Saxophonist Marcus Elliot (Detroit pt II - PGS 001). His notes dance and soar over a creeping acid line, while driving drums and warm pads effortlessly take you home in this powerful house anthem.

Repress

Berlin's Mechatronica follows up on the last Dez Williams EP, with a new VA compilation featuring The Exaltics, Drvg Cvltvre, Le Chocolat Noir and Kluentah.

The Exaltics and Drvg Cvltvre pack the A-side with gritty, hypnotizing acid burners, relentlessly paced and bound to induce frenzy. On the flip, Le Chocolat Noir and Kluentah (50% of Hamburg duo Fallbeil) dive deep into analogue driven electro trips, culminating with Kluentah's 9-minute journey 'Nightliner'.

After a triplet of solo 12"s, all courtesy of label main man Rupert Marnie, Hamburg-based imprint The Press Group are set to break 2018 in with the multi-flavoured TPG004 - a versatile debut VA that offers a fine close up on the label's whole cast of operating forces with some choice contributions from TPG's core tetrad including Youthman(29), Ten Letu, DJ Dodo and Marnie himself. Mind your backs!

Shape-shifting yet coherent as a whole, this collective effort puts together a swinging confluence of sounds and aesthetics - clearly aimed at the dancefloor but equally poised for laid-back chill sessions. First release on the label to reunite the entire crew, TPG004 mashes up a wide-spanning array of grooves and tempi in exploded view, giving full vent to each artist's idiosyncratic universe whilst establishing a hyper-modern sound ID, both infectiously funky and undeniably potent.

Casting its net far and wide: from the pared-down astronautical breakbeat of Youthman's 'Aemilia' to DJ Dodo's breezy jacking jazz-footwork hybrid 'The Machine' via Rupert Marnie's lithe ganjah-smelling shuffler 'Health' and Ten Letu's muscle-flexing acid roller 'Ah, You Shot Me!', it's a feast of feelgood beats that you're invited to, neatly connecting the dots between the guys' shared love for video game soundtracks, liquid dubstep, heavy jungle breaks, minimal house and further daydreaming, hazy harmonics to drape yourself into.

New and improved Bunker / Panzerkreuz Records! A4 inlay with artwork by Perseus Traxx himself + red Bunker stamp! More drug-induced deep house for more deep penetration of that feeble mind, and as usual mr. Rogers delivers with the most authentic chicagoan 'eighties' jackin' sound the year of the Lord 2013 may witness...

Lhasa is the brainchild of Alain Raes from Siegen, Germany. As a teenager he was inspired by Tubeway Army's 'Are Friends Electric' and Art Of Noise's 'Beatbox'. In 1985 he began collecting analog equipment (Prophet-5; Oberheim OB-X; Linn LM-1) as digital synthesizers had started to become more popular. In 1986, New Beat was born in Belgium. Dancers tapped into the darker side of synth pop, and DJs would play 45 rpm records at 33 with the pitch control set to +8. Alain was playing in New Wave bands and had started production work and synth programming for other acts.

In 1988 he self-released the debut Lhasa single 'Acetabularia' / 'Acetatechno', with help from Kris Tremmery on vocals and concept. The record combined the icy melodies of Gary Numan and John Foxx with with the mechanical rhythms of Detroit techno and EBM. Thematically, both tracks revolve around the end of life on Earth, and include samples from 'Dr. Strangelove'. For this first time reissue, we've added 4 bonus tracks rescued from a 1990 recording session DAT tape. These demos show further development of the Lhasa sound with updated instruments (Roland D-20, Yamaha TX16W, Korg 707), faster tempos, and menacing proto-rave energy. All songs have been mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Each copy includes an 11x11 poster with photos and liner notes by Alain.

David Vunk is on the roll as a dj but also he lives the true spirt studio life in his atomic bunker downtown Rotterdam city. His newest work is a 12 inch on his own imprint sublabel Moustache techno series called "Omega Strap EP". The A1 track "Shadow police" is a pumping TR-808 distorted beat with oldskool 90-ies acid and with a dark obscure men voice in it, underground feel. A2 "Pillensmoel" is a pumping electro techno track with acidfunk, crashing snare drums and a dutch porn female voice live recording. B1 track is titled "Come to the house" a funky acid track with paranoid girl shout, some classic house samples and flanged hi hats. The last track is called "No winners no losers" techno with a rolling bassline, a machine kickdrum topped with deep synths. Picture sleeve design by meinhard, mastered by Rude 66, cutted by uncle Lex. Don't play this if you are under 18.

Following Hiver's excellent EP, LET Recordings again welcomes American DJ and producer Jon Hester to their imprint. Currently based in Berlin but with previous spells in Chicago and Minneapolis, he returns to the label for a second EP following 2017's Communication EP, and other outings on the likes of Rekids and Dystopian. His adventurous drum programming and high speed techno style kicks things off with Radiance, a manically melodic track that takes you on an energetic trip. Impermanence is a deeper, more cinematic piece that features rueful pads but still a driving drum line, then Stratospheric has huge, hammering kick drums and squelchy synth sounds as well as dancing keys that bring warmth, groove, and soul. Last of all, this high class excursion is completed with Horizon, delivering barreling drum patterns and edgy pads that trap you in suspense as it races on. All four tracks deliver a high impact techno sound that very much looks to the future.

Record number 2 for Verdicchio Music Publishing is out this March: four cuts of honest emotion

Superb, diverse, driving DJ tool Techno set

Repress of the highly sought after Transmat Classic by K. Alexi Shelby*