Techno News

Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann

Inspired by his first bought techno vinyls back in the late 90s, TWR72 crafted his new project for OOM Records. Titled "iOi", it symbolizes a drum, with the 'i's as arms/hands or sticks and the 'O' as the drum itself.
Each of the ten tracks boasts its own title, yet when the initial letters are combined, they spell out 'percussion.' Drums and percussion have long been pivotal to the essence of music, evolving from primitive beginnings to intricate forms. Their significance spans cultures worldwide, each with its own rich narrative.
In techno, percussion is key, capable of moving listeners without other instruments. The late 90s and early 20s witnessed a surge of percussion-driven techno, enduring as timeless and functional pieces still embraced today. Yet, this enchantment has only been fleetingly replicated in the past two decades. "iOi" serves as an homage to that distinctive era.

Uncanny Valley is back with a tape that dives deeply into the musical underground of Lusatia, an area not far away from the label's home base Dresden. Expect analogue extravaganza with a punk attitude by two mysterious artists from the region of the Slavic sorbs. During the slow building odyssey that is LIVE IN NOCHTEN, it creaks and groans like the wind that shakes the giant F60 overburden conveyor bridge in the Lusatian coalfields. For this jam, the elusive figure that goes by the name of Luzyca Bambaataa and usually hides in the back room of a hair salon, has wired together countless worn-out synthesizers and recorded a soundtrack to the surroundings. But others claim, that Luzyca Bambaataa is the street name of a complex character who fully immersed into some gear that a youth center in Hoyerswerda acquired with left-over EU fundings. After the cassette has been turned, things get even more serious with Graef's first outing of his electronic alter ego. The four killer tracks range from the dance floor anthem GAIVAL via the almost cosmic ghost song HAUNTING VOYAGE and the brutal drum heavy monster R0GU3 D3L4M41N to the fascinating IDM study SOLIFUGE. Born Benjamin Butter to his parents in Hoywoy, he nowadays is a full-blown artist who adds a colorful DIY edge to all the different art forms he puts his hands on. The artwork was created by graffiti artist Techr.

Cerrot is a Puerto Rican artist that currently resides in Barcelona. "Iteritax" is his solo debut trip after appearances on Nina Kraviz's stream-turned-compilation Hot Steel series. He recorded the 11-track EP in 2020 after falling into a flow that saw him create several tracks a day. The Plasma distortion unit pedal is at the core of the EP's raw, harsh and undone style. "Iteritax" is defined by strong percussion and a variety of modular synth recordings. "What started out as daily jam sessions effortlessly transformed into tracks and ultimately this EP. This approach has allowed me to tap into an infinite source of inspiration. Once I started jamming I had so many routes to take and it all just flowed for me. This same sense of freedom is what I aim to bring out in people with these tracks." - Cerrot

It’s always exciting to hear collaborations from two familiar faces — especially when the results are completely unexpected. “Sinking” and “Cue The Rhythm” from VNSSA & Lenny Kiser are two of those collabs. The two artists got together to exchange some ideas, and we’re thrilled with the outcome.

Both moody and comforting, VNSSA’s vocals on the title track adds a deep undertone to keep it floating, while the other’s breakbeat sensibility gives off an air of old-school rave vibes.

TM returns with a powerful release featuring Hardgroove legend David Moleon, accompanied by remixes from the masterminds Chontane, Invexis, and TM founders Jayat & Lamin.
On the A-side, "Sigue Tu Sueno" delivers a pulsating peak-time track with a distinct self-building progression, while Chontanes interpretation takes listeners on a journey through his adept sound design.
On the flip, "Agarrate a Los Pelos Del Pecho" presents a melodious track perfect for any occasion, as David effortlessly transports listeners back to the golden era of Techno with "Arriba," an absolute dance floor weapon.
In addition, we have added two digi bonus tracks for further enjoyment: "Todo al Rojo" as a vibrant Techno anthem as well as an alternate remix by Invexis, offering a more stripped-down yet impactful interpretation.

Aptly named, Tranquilizer is a potent, six track EP from Brazilian producer Felix. As part of Piratao Records; a label that merges everything from baile funk, to electro and techno, Mutual Pleasure is a fitting home for the electric nature of Felix’s sound; something that is fully exercised in this EP.

Tranquilizer is a mind-expanding selection of dynamic tracks. Unrelenting, with a deeply contagious energy that acts as the engine to this project. It is entirely soaked with acid, and layered with a plethora of squelching basslines, manipulated Brazilian Vocals and trance-infused synths and melodies.

Felix coordinates a masterful blend of dark, gruelling tones, with funk-fuelled flavours of his native Brazil: an electrifying and devastating marriage that sets this Ep in motion. While tracks like Alpha Helix bring forward a more trance-ladened side to his sound, the devious breakbeat and infectious vocals of Ta Pegando Fogo bring a cutting edge to his undefinable sound.

Within this searing melting pot of genres and influences, Felix traverses from dark dubstep, to four-to-the-floor techno, and everywhere in between. It is a suitably devilish project, and a statement of his ever-evolving musical personality.

Repress

Brand new EP from the boss showcasing his new perspective and vision about techno along five cuts. Oscar Mulero's sound it's always changing and evolving, it can be physical and muscular or deep and sci-fi or both at the same time as this record shows.

On this occasion Spanish titles explain the feeling of each track perfectly, Flujo Fatal is the first slice, Fatal Flow in English, a mental and deep voyage into intelligent techno: full of detail but with an energetic pulse below that activates the dance while the mind is traveling in unveiled territories.

Nueva y Oscura Era is the second cut, fast and obsessive, with detailed percussive elements crossing the stereo field while continuous synth lines run over the precise beat. An ideal mix tool for the peak time hours in the dancefloor.

Noches de Menta reminds us of the good old Birmingham days, intense, rugged and fast. Minimal in the components and pristine in the sound processing. Music for those who dance with closed eyes in the shadows and strobe lights.

Dos Esqueletos is the last cut on vinyl, an elastic and liquid piece made of shuffled rhythms almost 90% percussive. Perfect mixing tool for those who know.

On the digital release appears an extra track called Aire Silencioso, sibilant and resonant textures fly on the high part of the sound spectrum while a compact groove keeps the pace for a full physical experience. The extreme frequency treatment will cause waves in people's minds while dancing... immersive and expansive at the same time.

Reciting from Dante's eponymous poem, Sanna Mun experiments with her vocals in the dub-influenced single "Inferno". The record features a driving remix from French favorite Benales and an enigmatic reinterpretation, plus a digital bonus, by rising Japanese artist Toru Katsuta.

Deluka is back on his own No Signal Records. On this Ep will collaborate Jeroen Search, Amotik and Staffan Linzatti with dope remixes.

LIVE & DIRECT from Miami Beach, FL… EZ Dee weaves together a fine-tuned contemporary fusion of classic dance music influences ranging from bassline-driven proto-house, deep slick electro, downtempo club music & plenty of acid…

You may recognise his signature touch from our Club Tools Vol.2 12” where he was featured as Bong Soup… an alter-ego lurking deep within the depths of Villa D’Otto

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more from this cat… he’s only just getting started..

Rising German techno producer Marc Faenger (MindTrip, Recorded Things, Illegal Alien) joins forces with Nachtstrom Schallplatten on this brilliant release containing 4 bass-heavy, raw and trippy techno tools.
The vinyl is strictly limited to 100 copies and will not be repressed!

Argentinian producers Oscean return to Tresor with Chronium Radiance, their longest release so far, in which the duo continue the evolution of their sound, coalescing the elemental ideas explored in their first two releases and yielding sublime results.

This landmark release will no doubt be seen as the point at which Oscean crystalised a trademark sound, balancing complex percussive rhythms with pulsing and cadenced music in which a universe of often oxymoronic ideas can be found, melded together with a deft touch to create a blissful sonic whole.

There is a sense of space and airiness to side A of the record as synth parts drift across the more solid-feeling landscape of the basslines and percussion: Opening track ChronoRebel is a propulsive trance induction that brings forth cinematic images of billowing clouds. This nebulous quality is continued on Neon Harmonies where the highly syncopated drum track weaves through a haze of colourful synths that while lower tempo than the previous track somehow has an energy of a faster piece.

The flip side has a denser, darker quality to it beginning with Blaster Imploder, a deep and funky track that continues the convention-defying theme by being powerful and frenetic whilst also having a soft and exultant sheen. This is followed by Echoes of Chaos which closes out the 12” with a dynamic beat and spacious, sweeping synths that feel as though we are passing through the atmosphere heading towards some distant nebula.

Alongside the tracks on the vinyl release, three digital tracks expand on the universe Oscean have built with a truly ecstatic love theme, a retelling of Neon Harmonies that unveils a river of dub, and a low tempo, drifting yet no-less affecting piece acting as the closing titles to our voyage to this Osceanic world.

incl. dl. code

Belgian techno powerhouse Charlotte de Witte has unveiled brand-new EP ‘Apollo’, out 14th October on her own KNTXT label.

An uncompromising collection of club tracks, ‘Apollo’ opens with ‘Missing Channel’, a turbo-charged acid techno cut pairing pumping kick drums with squelching 303s. Next up, the title track shifts things into warehouse techno territories, juxtaposing bludgeoning kicks with haunting, ethereal vocals, while ‘Mercury’ cultivates a striking interstellar energy. Closing things out, ‘PPC’ is by far the record’s most experimental track, a shimmering, beatless creation laced with samples of space transmissions.

"The vastness and solitude of space always interested me. A compelling contrast between monumental power and the vacuum in between.” Charlotte explains. “This diversion can also be found in techno music, a pure simplicity divergent in power."

Charlotte de Witte has become known for her dark, stripped-back brand of techno, acid and anything high energy. She’s often crossing borders but maintains a deep form of respect for the underground. Highlight performances across the continents - including being the first techno (and female) DJ to headline the mainstage at Tomorrowland - Mixmag and DJ Mag covers, high-ranking positions in the charts and lists confirm her status as nouveaux techno royalty.

Heavy, breakneck club fodder, ‘Apollo EP’ is Charlotte de Witte at her bold and brilliant best.

Axces Recordings presents the debut EP by CX, the producer alias of label affiliate Søren Kinch. The tracks on this release evoke a sense of melancholy and ethereal beauty, with a refined approach that complements the sound of modern club music.


The three tracks—Formula, Cobra, and Plethora—share a common structure of fast-paced grooves with a patient progression throughout. However, while Formula and Plethora both create an airy and hypnotic atmosphere, Cobra stands out by combining soft vocals with a harsher sound reminiscent of Robert Leiner. 

As a teenager, Søren met Torsten aka Helmuth Kool (1976-2015), a beloved figure and promoter from Aarhus who profoundly influenced his approach to music and raves. They often traveled to Berghain in Helmuth's old Saab 900 with only 4 gears. On this EP, Søren has dedicated the final track to Helmuth, who sadly passed away way too young—A playful and soaring track that Helmuth would dance to at his afterparty in heaven. 



Søren has been a part of the former Vektor crew and co-founded the renowned, though now defunct, club 'Et Andet Sted' in Copenhagen before joining Axces Recordings—a label that focuses on releasing club music and hosting intimate dance parties. It’s run by Alfredo92, A. Waze, Kasper Marott, Martin Gilleshøj, Matilde Gomes, and Popmix."


2024 Repress

LIMITED REPRESS!

This is the first release from our owner ildec, with a very top remix of Innershades.

Sentaku’s eighth instalment introduces listeners to the mythical Japanese deities who played a pivotal role in the creation of the land in a world of nothingness, Izanagi & Izanami. Through their divine union, usebirthed the islands of Japan and laid the foundation for life to flourish. Their story embodies the creative forces of nature and the duality inherent in all existence.



Louison starts with ‘Izanagi & Izanami’, a sonic journey weaving with earth-like sounds and celestial melodies, followed by "I Can Fly" taking a more progressive turn, with pulsating basslines and soaring synths. On the flipside comes ‘Reflections’, delving into darker and spookier realms while maintaining an undeniable energy, perfect for the dancefloor. Finally, he closes with ‘Tension & Passion’ slowing the tempo down to a hypnotic groove, with trance-like sounds immersing listeners in the ethereal atmosphere.

Circle 3 is the 9th vinyl release on Blank Code Records and is the 3rd release in the Circle series produced by Detroit native Mutate (Len Bartush), with remixes by Luis Flores, Mike Parker, and Project 313.

Circle 3 exemplifies the spirit of Detroit Techno. A deep, rich kick with a nice snappiness keeps the beat driving as heavily filtered synths reverberate through time, reminiscent of Detroit's classic M­Series records. Tight, delicate percussion plays with some aggressive claps creating the dynamic of a true modern classic.

Luis Flores delivers a solid remix that completely deconstructs the original track while keeping it's most bold elements. The kick is booming, the bass is tight, and there's a mean hook that loops it's way around the percussion, really drawing you inside the track's world.

Mike Parker dispatches an up­front rework, shrinking the original elements of the track into a veracious hook, supported by clock­like kicks and hats..

Project 313 deliver a stand­out remix that really highlights the atmosphere of the original track. The echo of the crunchy stabs dissolve into an endless feedback loop, as clicky hats and a solid downbeat pull everything together.

Exclusive to the digital version is another Mutate original, Recursive. This down­tempo track dives deep into dub, with sparse chord stabs that let their echoes form the dominant rhythm. A wicked groove is formed by the broken kick and finely chopped percussion that glitches on beat.

Dark Distorted Signals proudly presents their 50st release: "Ordin Air - Ordinize" with a sampler vinyl, including 3 tracks, and a full album, 10 tracks as a cd and via downloadcode, all in one sealed package.
The digital release is also available on all mayor platforms. The vinyl comes as a black and white splatter. That same graphical theme extends to the layout of the cd. This special release is of the hand of Ordin Air, who again delivers his craftsmanschip in melodic techno. Hint: for those who bought the fysical package, look for the hidden gemns!
This full album is not a retrospective of himself, nor of the label. But all tracks combined are like a milestone, a beacon for those who need a textbook example of true dark melodic techno. Each track is unique and independently playable and essential for any DJ who wants to play relevant music. These are power tools! Play it loud!

GALACTICA MUSIC Launches for all Ravers, invaders and techno music Lovers.

After a big success, GALACTICA FESTIVAL decides to create a Record Label where can express his vision of music.

This discographic adventure starts with a V.A. Series called ''ICARIUS'' where great artists with techno cuts on many shades are brought together.

The label presents a 12-track VA (double vinyl) where you can find all the best of the techno scene, ranging from electronic to industrial, acid break and hard techno.
Not a Monothematic V.A., but a right compilation that encloses the essence of techno with all its shadows and variations.

Adding his first EP to the label’s catalogue, Figure warmly welcomes Vinicius Honorio onto the roster.
Having first made his mark in the DnB-world as BTK, the vetted Brazilian producer now has been conquering the global techno scene for some years as well. His darkly foreboding sound is on full display across this 12“, featuring three clean-cut, impactful original productions and a remix by Len Faki’s Hardspace moniker.

Endless Love comes punching strong, carried by colleague Theo Nasa’s ominous spoken words and evolving stab synths textures. The remix strips back the vocals in favor of reduced frequencies, keeping the heat condensed and always ready to boil over.
On the flip, Honorio introduces his rolling high-energy machine funk, stacking elements around a hypnotic vocal loop and expertly playing the game of build and release. Closer B2 showcases a different style, using subdued dubby chords to craft a dreamy ride that is at once powerful and deep.

Annechoic, the force of consciousness behind the acclaimed cult label Audiofugitives, steps out of the shadows once again to present her latest sonic endeavour, 'Eclectic Sugar'. Ana De Giles, whose career has been shrouded in secrecy since the early 2000s, continues to captivate audiences with her eclectic mix of electro, techno and the ethereal sounds of ambient, leaving a trail of enchanted listeners in her wake.

"Eclectic Sugar" represents an exciting new chapter in Annechoic's musical adventure, demonstrating her unparalleled ability to traverse sonic environments with sophistication and refinement, the EP's emotional depth and strength resonates profoundly.

Annechoic's musical journey has been marked by a dedication to sonic exploration and a keen ear for genre-bending compositions. She has carefully curated her craft, spending much of her career balancing roles in film post-production and co- running the label Audiofugitives. Nowadays, her DJ sets have earned her residencies and performances alongside esteemed artists.
With Eclectic Sugar, Annechoic invites listeners into her world - a world where boundaries blur, emotions soar and sonic landscapes unfold in fascinating ways. As you delve into her latest offering, prepare to embark on a border-crossing journey unlike any other, guided by the masterful hand of Annechoic herself.

Hypnotone's iconic self titled mini album reissued!

Originally released by Creation Records in 1991, long out of print and now reissued, meticulously remastered and pressed onto pristine white vinyl.

Exclusive liner notes by band member Tony Martin "The Hypnotone Story: From Manchester to Creation" and including after hours favorite "Sub" and Balearic hit "Dream Beam" featuring vocals by Denise Johnson.

Formed in the vibrant milieu of Manchester's legendary Hacienda nightclub, Hypnotone emerged from the creative partnership of Tony Martin and Martin Mittler. Tony, initially involved as the in-house lighting designer, and Mittler, a bar staff member, fused their interests and talents amid the fervor of the late '80s Acid House movement that pulsated through the club. Their musical venture began earnestly after an introduction to Alan McGee, head of Creation Records. This connection would soon lead to a record deal, propelling Hypnotone into the heart of the emerging electronic dance music scene, releasing 2 albums, multiple singles and standout remixes for artists such as Primal Scream, Sheer Taft, and The Lilac Time.

With Creation Records' support, Hypnotone crafted their unique sound combining state-of-the-art digital samplers like the Akai S1000 with a collection of classic analog synths. Their debut self titled mini album includes after hours favorite "Sub" and Balearic hit "Dream Beam" featuring vocals by Denise Johnson. Hypnotone not only shaped their distinct sonic footprint but also influenced the broader trajectory of electronic music. Their journey, marked by innovation anda deep affinity for Manchester's music scene, exemplifies the transformative power of the era's cultural and technological shifts in music.

This is another must have for collectors and fans of early British (pop) house music, and very happy memories.

Lost in Translation is a record label based in Brussels founded by two friends in the Spring of 2022. Anchored in the heart of Europe, the project aims to deliver a unique artist driven vision centered on a collaborative approach to musical storytelling.

Releases are built track by track, providing a space for the featured artists to bounce off of each other’s sonic influences, and weave together a cohesive musical story told from studios around the world.

Accompanied by audiovisual works and short-stories crafted around the music, each release is an exercise in multi-disciplinary world-building, setting out a narrative soundscape that invites listeners to get lost in its evolving atmospheres and rhythms.

More VA action as the series continues with another instalment. As is tradition at OEW, four heavy hitters grace the newest plate. Enlisting rising talents and familiar faces alike, the Witness surveys all, cherry-picking another clutch of intrepid dancefloor navigators for the label.

Asphalt DJ tees off with a shadowy, driving tripper. Flush with insistent throb and a spectrum of proggy flourishes, it’s properly hypnotic fare. De Lichting member RDS, on the other hand, opts in favour of deep space projection. ‘TH Only’ is a pristine transmission; deep groove and widescreen scope primed to soundtrack imagined interplanetary expeditions.

Making nocturnal manoeuvres with a touch of grit, Hypercolour and Glass Table co- founder Ste Roberts goes off on another tangent entirely. ‘Tune Pitch Decay’ is as dusky as it is propulsive; tough and cavernous for the duration. Made of uneasy soundscapes and half-time, rolling drums, Amsterdam local Tammo Hesselink finally rounds things off on an abstract, downtempo tip.

We are extremely happy and proud to present you Volume number 7 of our 16-year anniversary project which will be released in a limited 12' Vinyl edition and Digital format and will be split into 8 Volumes which includes a total of 44 exclusive tracks and 46 great artists, from the early days of Techno till now. We immensely thank to all the artists involved in this project, for believe in Illegal Alien Records, for joining us in this celebration and contributing with their music to make this release even more special, it's a true honor to count with all of you, thank you for being part of our history.
Our 7th volume belongs to greats Border One, Arthur Robert, smplrmn, Dustin Zahn, Fixeer and Shinedoe.

Rhythm Cult is back again as last summer hit ‘PPPPP’ from youANDme gets a second special package of reworkings from a band of meticulously selected remixers from around the globe. This time we welcome the likes of Shed (50 Weapons, Ostgut Ton) and Johannes Albert (Live At Robert Johnson, Renate Schallplatten) to the Cult to provide exciting new iterations breathing their unique spirit into an already memorable track.



First up to the platter is raw techno purveyor Shed in his Head High guise, who serves up a faithful but turbo-charged rework. The original’s ludicrously addictive vocal refrain returns, orbiting endlessly across the soundscape while the drums get serious steroid enhancement creating a weighty groove that hits hard. One of Rhythm Cults' favourite house producers Ian Pooley comes next, returning to deliver a sublime raw house re-take as only he knows how. Filtering and manipulating the vocal cuts and old-school stabs, he creates a bumping excursion into the cavernous depths, complete with lush echoing dub chords and jackin’ percussion. One for the house heads and as always, dancefloor dynamite. The Drunken Diva ‘Scream Mix’ shifts down through the gears to create an almost lilting, off-kilter dub-influenced iteration. Perfect for those hot late-night summer dancefloor moments, this cut takes it deep and dark. Finally, Berliner Johannes Albert swoops in to direct the track into a crunchy minimal 808 territory. His rework is complemented by some slick vocal chopping and frequency-shifted segments elevating the track to a new plateau.



Another fine series of remixes ensures ‘PPPPP’ will be lighting up dancefloors this

summer season and beyond. Rhythm Cult continues its mission to showcase some

of the most talented and forward-thinking producers out there.

White Blue Splatter Vinyl

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of BK’s ‘Revolution’, the hard house classic that etched itself in the history of electronic music 20 years ago, Alan Fitzpatrick's ‘We Are The Brave’ are pleased to offer an epic
2021 rework of the original alongside four stellar remixes from Techno’s finest producers.
On the A-side, Ben Keen a.k.a ’BK’ offers up a fresh rework, turning the original into a raw techno beast. Armed with an array of kicks, claps and crisp 909 hi’s; this powerful rave inspired number has featured heavily in DJ sets from Alan Fitzpatrick, Amelie Lens, Carl Cox, Klangkuenstler and Charlotte De Witte at some of the world’s biggest electronic music events.
Flipping to the B-side, Dutch producer 'Reinier Zonneveld' drops a techno missile laced with masterful use of the 303 acid sample and the vocal. Following on we have the reworking's of Manchester native Rudosa. A full frontal hard techno cut, laden with powerful bass and a fast, spicy kick.

Datashader emerges from the shadows with a striking breaks- and bass-heavy debut release that challenges the fabric of our digital existence. Replete with a Dopplereffekt remix, it nods to the legacy of revered anonymous acts such as Scopex, Drexciya and Underground Resistance, pushing the boundaries of both electronic music exploration and its conceptual underpinnings. As a critique of the erosion of genuine human connection in the digital age, Datashader delivers a barrage of billowing subs, infectious electro, recontextualized jungle, and techno, serving as a poignant counterbalance to current dance floor-centric norms. It’s a contemporary anti-soundtrack that offers a haunting mirror to the societal costs of technological convenience.
In a world engulfed by the digital realm, where social media platforms thrive and dominate every aspect of our lives, the enigmatic project known as Datashader was founded to reflect on the pervasive erosion of authentic human connection through various virtual realities. Artistically, Datashader seeks to critique the impact of technology on human identity and relationships, breaking with an archetype of digital conformity and expressing a profound disillusionment with the superficiality of online interactions through music. Genuine human connection and art cannot be quantified by likes, comments, or followers but rather thrives in the visceral realm of shared sonic experience and human emotion. This idea is at the core idea of Datashader, whose artistic expression ranges from avant-garde composition and electronic experimentations to art, installation, film and more.
Expressed within the varied contexts of diverse artistic mediums, Datashader explores the concept of “technological gentrification”, which describes the gradual displacement of human interaction by technology. Just as gentrification alters the urban landscape, driving out communities and cultures, digital gentrification transforms the social landscape, replacing genuine connection with curated online personas.
Musically, Datashader’s practice confronts this dystopian reality, highlighting the alarming consequence of people becoming mere nodes in a network, reduced to a collection of data points. This is manifested sonically by a blistering assault of breaks, recontextualized IDM, abstract electronics and otherworldly synthscapes, conceived as the aesthetic counterbalance to much of contemporary electronic music’s dancefloor focus.
Datashader dives deep into genres and influences which stand for a form of sonic resistance: A contemporary anti- soundtrack – a sonic mirror of the price we pay for convenience and instant gratification. A self-image in constant flux. No false technological idols.

Into the void hits from second one. Strong beats lead the way into this dreamlike soundscape, where metallic drum elements and effortless reverb tails take us on a journey. We get lost in a slow build and an unassuming bass-line drives us home, until the track collapses just to hit twice as hard coming back in. Dreamy vocals float over dirty synth lines, melodies that feel familiar guide the way to continuous build ups, where we can’t help but move our bodies to the gritty, thumping bass-line pushing us forward relentlessly.

Tempest is all about the beat. Simple, yet endearing, it reels us in and guides us on an endless rise where fragile synth swells and powerful percussion elements tease our ears. High-pitched glimmers dance across the soundscape with ease. A track that rises again and again, yet never quite implodes in-between. Instead it builds, in the most natural way, skilfully and exquisitely, whilst sirens add a well-rounded urgency, that’s hard to resist.

In the annals of German techno history of the early 90s, Mannheim's Milk Club was always something like the dirty little brother between Berlin's Tresor and Frankfurt's Omen - not as cocky as the two big siblings, but secretly all the more clever. Less pretentious than the Äppelwoi metropolis, less dirty than the capital and, despite squaring the circle, less straightforward than both together. Instead, they delight with breakdancers of almost Wigan Casino-like elegance. Very British, even in the musical mix of house, techno and breakbeats, breakbeats, breakbeats. A club like a kind of mother raising the nightclubbers with her milk.

Devi g. pay tribute to this club with their MILK EP. on Pudel Produkte.
Devi g. are Dirk Mantei aka Dman (DJ and former manager of the Milk Club) and Oliver Bradford (one half of Thee Church Ov Acid House and resident DJ at the equally legendary Brückenkopf parties in Mainz). Pudel Produkte because, well, Golden Pudel Club - Legend binding.

A four-part promenade mix is on offer that has it all. It contains house, techno and, yes, breakbeats, breakbeats, breakbeats.

Dubby, detroit inspirated floating techno EP

Mastering & lacquer cut by Kassian Troyer at Dubplates & Mastering Berlin

The phrase “concept album” brings to mind long and complicated works by 60s rock bands or rap magna opera destined to be pored over by Dissect podcast. But what if the concept is based on a simple conceit? With Refreshing Part 1, their third EP and first vinyl release on Tresor, Fireground soundtrack an imaginary night spent at the Kraftwerk building on Köpenicker Straße, moving between the smoke-filled basement of Tresor and the bass-heavy loft of Globus.
Opening piece, Never Sleep, has long been a feature of the Fireground live set and evolved over many months before reaching its final form in something of a “eureka” moment during a performance in Tresor. The track kicks o the EP with a hint to techno classic Knights of the Jaguar before quickly carving its own path through the foliage. The tribal leitmotif continues on second track, Gaze, which again has subtle nods to classics whilst showcasing the duo’s ability to bring new life to 90s house and techno tropes.
Obsession dispenses with any pretence and gets right down to business from the opening second: Inspired by the Tresor dancefloor “when it reaches its peak; the strobe lights together with the smoke become so intense that for a few moments you can't see anything and completely abandon yourself to your sense of hearing.”
A counterpoint to the finessed Never Sleep, Obsession was recorded live with minimal post-production this track finds Fireground at their rawest and most uncompromising.
As if needing a spot of fresh air after the ferocity of Obsession, the second half of the EP leaves the dense and smoky atmosphere behind and ascends towards the sky beginning with Driving Stars; lighter though this may be there’s no loss of drive. Penultimate track Into a Diamond finds Fireground floating ever-upwards propelled by elements of jazz including a gorgeous electric piano solo that recall the airy mid-90s UK house of labels like Nuphonic, Heavenly, Faze Action, and Soma.
Digital-only track, Wedding, closes the EP with the perfect end-of-night feeling, leaving us joyful, as if we are stepping out into the morning sun surrounded by close friends, the sounds of the evening orbiting our minds.

“Pour les gens supercool.” This slick tagline caused a commotion among Belgian electronic music fans in 1985 as a jingle in Liaisons Dangereuses, the infamous radio show on local station S.I.S. Antwerpen. Hosted by Paul Ward and DJ Sven Van Hees and playing an exhilarating mix of EBM, house, new beat, acid house, Detroit techno, synthpop and more, the transmit was without a doubt trendsetting, presenting music on the radio that before was only to be witnessed in dark clubs or underground record stores. Listeners needed to make an effort though, since the S.I.S. waves only reached about 10km out of the city center. But a network of copied tape recordings and a fast growing bunch of fans - some of which even driving their cars to parking lots inside the broadcast area to hear the show - created a buzz that would easily exceed the limits of the transmission signal.

In 1989 Ward and Van Hees formed their own band named after the radio show, but to avoid confusion with the eponymous German new wave band, they signed their records with Liaison D or Liaisons D. Assisted by Jan Van Den Bergh (Mappa Mundi, Kumulus, Buzz), Marcos Salon (Outlander), Frank De Wulf (B-Sides, World Party II) and J.P. Ruelle, Liaisons D released a solid string of EP’s and the album “Submerged In Sound” on USA Import Records between 1989 and 1992. We are extremely proud to present four tracks from the album here as a brand new EP, a must-have for fans of their unapologetically rough and ravy sound, testimony of a unique era in Belgium’s electronic music history.