Techno News

a01.b/w flower b01.9 degrees & rain recorded @ staalman studio

Throw the gauntlet: Fast Castle is back with Gent1e $oul’s “Shoals”-EP, our furthest excursion into the unexplored depths of mind-bending bassweight! Having perfected his build order on his recent “Block Printing'' and “Silk Armor”-EPs, Gent1e $oul continues to infuse his productions with sonic bass strategies over five versatile tracks.

“Dark Age” provides an aggressive opening, immediately applying pressure with nasty bass wobbles, dembow echoes and a 4x4 switch that might catch distracted players off guard. Tried and tested in many settings, this is an essential option for the incoming dancefloor rush!

With its heavy neo-stepper energy, ”Bad Neighbor” lays siege to dancefloor resistance with a piercing lead, breathing drums and powerful waves of sub wubs. Just like the AoE2’s legendary trebuchet of the same name, “Bad Neighbor” – paired with the right Soundsystem – will make the walls shake.

“Dusty Acer” is a homage to Gent1e $oul’s dear but aging AoE2 gaming machine, capable of producing similar noises to this dark UKG cuts’ central bassline.

Deep dubstep cut “Illumination” takes us to the for a wholesome mana refill: Mystic ambiences make you pull down your cowl, before diving into a fully blown sub massage.

The standout self-titled cut “Shoals” concludes the release: A deep-yet-powerful half-stepping perc grower at 160bpm, operating on subdued rhythmic shifts and layers.

As a special tribute to the AoE2 community, all tunes are flavored with the game's original sound effects. Thanks for keeping us inspired, Nili_Aoe for NAC5 and T90 for HC5!

Jay Lumen is back for our 40th Footwork release. His „Universe" track is a good proof of his cosmic, trippy techno sound with the massive bass and kick elements. While „Grooveride" tune is a great mixture of Jay's raw techno, power house and hardgroove vibes.

B side „Ode To Earth" is a rolling techno sound with real nice melodic elements including some trippy vocals. Good choice for festivals and warehouse raves. B2 „Once Again" is a raw techno fusion of the UK Rave and Hardgroove sounds into a very fresh pumpy track. Enjoy the journey and mind your Footwork!

“A corollary is a statement that follows naturally from another statement”

Presenting Corollary1, the first release in a new remix series flipping cuts from O.M.Theorem’s Lemma projects.

For this one we invited good friends DJ Sotofett and Ossia. Regular conspirators in bacalao and dosa dinners, monthly hangouts at Globus-Tresor and sound system parties in Milano & Bristol. Through appreciation of similar frequencies and shared experiences, friendships grow. It felt natural to invite the two to do remixes for us. One evening we bumped into them on the dancefloor during a live concert by Senegalese percussion outfit Ndagga Rhythm. This was a sign. BAM! The EP came alive.

On the A-side, we hear two fresh takes on Lemma1-B2. DJ Sotofett with his dub heavy output on Honest Jon's and Sex Tags Amfibia invites Ghanese Afro-Dub drummer Ekowmania for vocals and usual collaborator LNS for keyboard work on his sub-deep club-stepping colourful remix. We bet the infectious vocals will linger in your mind for a long time. Play it LOUD for full sub bass effect! The second interpretation of the same track is from O.M.Theorem. A techy dubstep banger, this one!

On the B side, Bristol and Peng! Sound's Ossia picked his favorite Lemma1-B1 and drove the mixing desk in true Dub-style fashion with a classic riddim that meets an avant garde melody going in and out of the mix. This is a remix that deserves attention, with every listen revealing new layers and details. Even the premasters sounded phat as a greasy hamburger on the German capital’s legendary Super Power Soundsystem! The second interpretation is from O.M.Theorem, rebuilding percussion and bass from Lemma1-A1. Liberating himself from all restrictions the result is a footwork-reminiscent 160 cut, ready for the dance floor.

coloured vinyl

The new 12” series on Ballyhoo Records is dedicated to what label owner ‘Thee J Johanz’ describes as ‘Triptech Journeys’. The series takes the listener on a journey traversing old school house to mystical acid and everything in-between.

On volume 1, titled ‘There Is Power In Love’, side a gives us ‘Afrobot and Steven Pieters’ who deliver the perfect message of love. The artist ‘Strange’ then provides us with his stunning Indian style Charanjit Singh rag reworks. We then have raving madness from Goa’s finest ‘Deka’ whose track ‘Dance with me’ was a secret weapon played at a number of major festivals over the summer.

Flip it over to side b, we have ‘Thee J Johanz’ providing us with the perfect intro/outro tool for DJs (lets face it, there is simply not enough good ones on vinyl!) We then have ‘Sintaro Fujita,’ Ballyhoo’s best Japanese friend, delivering sharp and mystical vibes with his track ‘Are We Still Friends.’ Last but by no means least, snake charmer ‘Sid Ua’ slows it all down leaving us in a trance like state with his stunning track ‘Feels Familiar.’ Weird and wonderful music from a fabulous bunch of weird and wonderful talented outsiders, this cannot be missed!

In superlative form off the back of his remix of Sam Paganini's 'Rave' produced with Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani gifts us with a pair of new originals on Drumcode.

'Digital Age' is stadium-sized techno and indicative of the artist's craft at balancing soaring laser-kissed chords with crushing dancefloor dynamics. 'UFOs & LFOs' is a throbbing head melter in the most delicious of ways, as silky synths and rich bass coalesce for a head-spinning finish.

Following on from his atomic single release, Phonk On The Dancefloor, Sofia’s Raredub now presents his highly anticipated full EP via Mutual Pleasure Records. Rare, Raw and Ready is a high-voltage introduction to the Bulgarian bass baron, a title that is fully justified with this latest venture of sound.

Raredub wastes no time in setting the pace for this project, as we’re thrown straight into the searing furnace with opening track BAMBA. Having been road-tested by the likes of KETTAMA, KiNK, Skin On Skin and Raredub himself, BAMBA, with its infectious vocals, gut-hurdling bassline and devious rave-stab melodies, is a carefully constructed weapon of sound, with proven devastating results.

We’re then brought to Juicy Fruit, which sees both Raredub and Mutual Pleasure’s head-honcho Partiboi69 lock palms to create a deeply sensual, highly contagious dance-floor anthem that sees the producer masterfully blend hissing hi-hats and a series of infectious rising chord patterns and melodies which, when combined, are certainly set to cause nothing but dance-floor destruction.

Since being played as the opening track to Partibo69 and DJ Heartstring’s stingzone set, L.L.L is a track which, with its mind-warping bassline,euphoria ladened vocals and pad-work, has enjoyed a growing sense of anticipation from listeners, eager for its arrival.

Snappy Chulo sees Raredub again use a series of piercing rave-stabs to drive his sound, which is partnered with a plethora of electronic experimentation and instrumentation, before the seismic bassline of Break Of Dawn see Raredub bring the walls and ceiling crumbling down; presenting a suitably fitting finale to this atomic attack on the senses.
Rare, Raw and Ready brings Raredub’s prowess for production to the fore, as the Bulgarian producer conducts wild electronic experiments, bending genres and sound into form, to create a versatile, highly contagious and highly atomic serving of sound.

Malmo Traxx is back with a Limited edition solo EP from Malmo legend Somoah. A five-tracker with heavy techno-electro club tools from up North. Wet haunting electro bass lines, atmospheric deep pads and trippy trance textures. 300 copies, no repress. Do not miss!

The situation is overwhelming.
The house is smaller, and there's so much shit to consider and not enough time. The second release on 0 this time from hashman c3d-e and hotspring is dub and house reduced into overdrive with both sides maxed out

The brand new Hyperdrive label kicks off with a mix of the old and the new - some tracks made recently, some that date back to the 90s, all of them top quality. Liquid Earth opens up with the spaced-out synths and electronic house sounds of '1_HP_D' then Art Of The State gets a little more tranced out and cosmic on '2_HP_D'. Dan Piu's '3_HP_D' is a tech house exploration with wispy sci-fi leads and a playful rhythm then Luis Malon & Seb G combine for the turbo-charged tech of '4_HP_D.' The legendary Freddy Fresh closes down with a high-speed sound on '5_HP_D.' Says the label, "Hyperdrive is dedicated to preserving the rich history of electronic music," and on this evidence, it will do so expertly.

Caedite Eos is thrilled to present another intense various artist EP for its forthcoming vinyl release,showcasing a talented lineup of Spanish artists.Kicking offthis EP is Hurtado with his track "No Surrender". With previous releases on Overstep,Body Theory, and Shiv (a label he co-runs with UVB), Hurtado brings his signature style, deliveringa relentless onslaught of heavy offbeat techno.Following suit is Neurite, making his debut on this EP with "Black Eyes".

As co-owner of Madrid'sunderground techno party "Crudo", Neurite brings a fresh perspective with breakbeat techno,weaving tension-filled atmospheres and lively percussions into his captivating track.

Returning to the label is SlugoS with "Self-Inflicted". Fresh from his recent release on SacredCourt, SlugoS, the label owner, presents an elegant hard techno gem designed to ignitedancefloors with its infectious groove.

Rounding up this EP is TKNS with "Cacharreo y Dinamita". A familiar face on Caedite Eos, TKNS, known for his previous work on the label and a recent remix for EKKA, delivers a breakbeattechno journey that steadily builds to a climax after the main break, showcasing his talent andcreativity as a dancefloor killer.

This EP encapsulates the essence of Caedite Eos - a celebration of cutting-edge techno withdiverse influences and uncompromising energy, destined to leave a lasting impression on technomusic enthusiasts worldwide.

Foreign Guest & Wewerka debut on Outcast Oddity with their Human Sequencer EP. Featuring a Nuno Dos Santos Remix on the flip side!

True house veteran Gerd, whether crafting classic bangers under his NY Stomp alias or indebted Chicago tracks as Geeeman, is one of the most well-regarded producers out there. 2022 marks his 30th year at the very top of his game, as always proven by his vast record collection and taste for dance music. Now debuting on Nu Groove with ‘We Bring U Muzik’, including his Warehouse Mix and Dub to magnify the groove, it’s a reminder of his passion, knowledge, and experience as a producer. With a steady flow of releases on labels like his own project Frame Of Mind, or his home away from home Clone Records, his work with majorly influential heavyweights including Larry Heard, Romanthony and MK is a true testament to his house credentials. As Gerd delivers another effortlessly timeless solo works, the Nu Groove catalogue wins yet another evergreen release.

Patterns / Threshold, a collaborative split offering from Mesure Divide and Esse Ran, plunges the listener into a disquieting expanse of undulating rhythms and transmuted textures. Here, melodies and harmonies dissolve, fracturing into a heavy, systolic throb that whispers of superposition and entanglement.

Lush synthesizers shimmer with a noetic luminescence, their tones arching and bowing alongside relentless cyclical beats and sloshing electronics. Refractions of rave culture thrumming in stillness, their ecstatic energy dissipating into a radiant hum - a melancholic undercurrent born from the tension between fleeting exuberance and enduring inanition. This is a realm of heady paradox, where rigid structure and fluid intuition converge.

The artists navigate this liminal space with masterful precision, guiding the listener through a landscape of aural oscillations. Perception teeters on the edge of the concrete and the ephemeral; perception dissolves; reality grows soft at the edges.

Patterns / Threshold will be released on physical vinyl records and bandcamp only. No streaming, no bullshit.

After the EP by Deyayu, Baffling Noise (seekers sublabel) is coming back with another 4 tracks EP this time by the new Australian duo Numbat.

We are thrilled to present our next release from one of the best italian producers of the underground scene. Riccardo delivers Club Vision Records four techno-trance tracks finally ready for some dancefloor action.

Thirteen EPs and several VA's make up the story of Marcel Fengler's IMF label, and the music continues to go from strength to strength. The latest addition to the release catalogue may be one of the strongest to date, featuring a generous number of individual inputs inside a six-track EP. Delivering the goods this time, Stuttgart-based Rove Ranger serves up two sublime stompers, with enigmatic London local The Advent serving up a thumping remix for the first half of this split release. Madrid's Rodiaz supplies another duo of weighty originals on the second side, backed up by legendary Scottish techno titans Slam.
Rove Ranger's 'Workout' opens proceedings energetically, revolving around a rolling acid bassline, swirling tonal percussion, offbeat licks, catchy vocal chops and crisp, driven hat grooves to churn out an impressive opening track before The Advent puts his own deeper, darker spin on it, pulling the original track around through a series of envelopes and creative modulations, giving it an entirely different persona. Rove Ranger closes off his side of the release with the breakbeat-laced sounds of 'Unforgotten', implementing endless audio width alongside pensive chords, thumping industrial grooves and hollowed-out sub-bass.
Rodiaz kicks the second half of the EP off with a bang, coming in brutal and fast on 'Space Methods' through an array of thudding drum grooves and rattling percussive toppers to for man unconventionally gripping beat structure - subtly accented with minimal melodic components to add endless character to this peak-time bomb. Slam follows up with an archetypally hard-hitting rendition, firing off a relentless assault of weighty kicks, rattling hat grooves and coarse industrial fills, leaving very little room for a breather throughout this tirade of hair-raising tenacity before Rodiaz distils the EP into a close with the groove-focused
'Output Methods', playing on detuned tonal elements alongside tribal-infused percussion and eerie pads from start to finish.

Spanning over decades, Metamorphic Recordings has become a staple name amongst the realms of discerning house and low end leaned techno, and the 39th release is a sure sign the label are showing no signs of slowing down the pace. Dublin based ZOiD is the artist of choice here, the electronic and jazz musician showcasing his genre straining sound with two slick and innovative cuts, writing the narrative for the “Dexaphonic EP”. The originals are in fine company as pioneer of the game John Tejada turns out a remix on the A side, with label founder Dan Curtin joining in the festivities on the B side.

Sparkling in the hazy early hours with a pure and emotional charm is “Space Station Dexaphonic”. The transcending and otherworldly synths all converse in harmony around precise and intricately placed drum patterns. Hi-tek jazz for the tastemakers amongst us. Complementing the opening track is John Tejada’s remix, feel good energy once more, with a vintage Tejada twist. Structured around an elasticated rolling bass, and teased by an enticing vocal sample.

Steering in a more raw and industrial direction on the B side is ZOiD’s “9713Poochy”, a five minute trip with rugged foundations at the core. Moving in quirky and mechanical motions from the get go, driven by an enormous kick at the wheel. Dan Curtin breathes an alternative lease of life into the original with his unconventional sound. The crisp broken drums create an irresistible groove, allowing the ethereal textures to work their magic.

Timeless music once more from the Metamorphic imprint, carefully curated by Berlin based Dan Curtin, inviting artists of old and new, allowing them to have total freedom with their sound and run wild.

Mastered by Robert Feuchtel, Fat of Excellence, Cologne.

After a collaboration on a futuristic NFT in 2021, Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem join forces again - this time taking it back to the base with four classic techno tracks on Klockworks 34. All tracks have been made in a go with analogue machines in an oldschool manner with a focus for groove and reduction to the essentials.

2023 RepressVinyl Only

4 tracks, 4 techno tools... simply fire for the dance-floor.
Benales is back on KEY Vinyl !!!

It’s time to embark on the next chapter of extra-terrestrial worldbuilding - the second instalment of Seismic Records is here. Stepping in is sonic explorer Pyramid of Knowledge a.k.a. K.O.P 32. Based in Seoul but born and raised in France, the Beyond The Bridge label head is blending his Tekno roots with an introspective approach to music, carving out a trademark sound led by pensive rhythms and psychedelic atmospheres. With fierce precision and spellbinding force - you’re invited to explore the unknown depths of your psyche as you enter the state of ‘Fusion’. In all its ominous grace, the journey takes off with ‘CFU’. A kaleidoscope-esque acid ritual is guided by subtle yet uptempo kicks, lifting us into the first phase of the cleansing. Followed by ‘Xer’, where an ancient chant introduces the next dimension of consciousness-expansion. The progression of energy tells us that the higher powers have bigger plans for us - a phase that is entered on the B-side. ‘TV’ surges in tempo and raises blood pressure with an annihilating paradox of the calm and the chaotic. For those who managed to withstand all phases of the occult test, reconciliation is near as ‘Yrots’ strikes down with a mind-warping drum workout for the body and soul. Enter the heart of a psychedelic odyssey and swirl into the labyrinthine pathways of your ego as you enter the Fusion by K.O.P. 32.

Lee Renacre’s Phat Girl EP was originally released in 1996, boasting four seriously groovy techno cuts emblematic of those times. It is Lee’s first solo release and it came out on his own Format Records, which was started the same year. While back then you could probably buy it as a white label from the back of his car, you can now finally get it as a reissue.

Physical Education is Baldo’s new label, coming in strong with this as the first release, and one of the many upcoming must have tech house/techno classics.

Reaching our 100th release seems surreal.I started it with 50 bucks and a defiant attitude to release music i felt wasn't repped elsewhere.The label has grown into a renegade family,and worldwide Techno brand.Proud of every single achievement and mistake we have made,we felt it fitting to gather a selection of our favorite artists and showcase our vision on the current state of classic modern Techno.Here´s to another 10000.Octopus for life.

Deeptrax go even deeper with ‘Hi8tus’ – the first album from Detroit pioneer and forerunner Suburban Knight in over 12 years.

One of the earliest protagonists in the epoch-defining, landscape-changing Motor City cultural movement, and a card-carrying Underground Resistance member, James Pennington’s fingerprints are all over Detroit’s nascent phases as he mentored the likes of Mike Banks, collaborated with Kevin Saunderson and appeared on formative Transmat dispatches in the late 80s and early 90s.

Preferring a behind the scenes role for many years, Pennington has operated in the shadows, only ever releasing music when he’s had something to say. There have been long periods of silence in his discography but in recent times he’s returned with a series of singles and outings on Mollison Folson & Derrick Lewis’s Detroit Techno Records.

Now time to level up once again and remind us of his sonic skills and stature, ‘Hi8tus’ thrives off its timeless futurist schematics, each one instantly tapping into the deepest of Detroit sources, but doing so without any repetition or covering old routes.

Largely breakbeat-based, Pennington pays homage to the electro foundations in a wide range of forward-facing ways; the uncompromising icy opener ‘Far Far Away’, the hazy soul and dreamy waves of ‘Spiritual Ride’ and the gnarled, brittle brutalism of ‘Stalker Turned Electro’ (a nod to one of this most enduring bangers back in the day – ‘The Art Of Stalking’) map out the parameters of Knight’s navigations.

In etween we have brooding, pensive moments of tension. The four-to-the-floor prowl of ‘Thy Will Be Done’, the b-boy swagger of ‘Machete’, the glacial dark side voyage of ‘2 Different Worlds’, the list of immersive explorations goes on…

Proof that when it’s in your DNA it doesn’t matter how long you pause between releases; it’s about what you say with your music. Suburban Knight’s hiatus is well and truly over.

The Technarchist returns to the label with a 2 track 7” of chunky dancefloor Weirdo Techno Funk, overflowing with humour and all the zaps, wobbles and basslines that we love !!

These tracks return to the core sound that defined the label in its earlier years. For fans of Dance Mania, Luke’s Anger, Relief, Sativae and of course, Don’t. Some of you will know The Technarchist from his amazing track ‘Danse Macabre’ on the Don’t compilation album a few years back.

Thomas P. Heckmann's 30th Anniversary Special Edition ! LTD Splatter Repress !

On Acid Seduction 4 Thomas delivers no less than 5 tunes from bangin to trippy Acid in his trademark analogue style.
Acidicted is the real Acid-Banger and is already played by some insiders and now finally revealed on a special multi coloured Acid-Vinyl for DJs and collectors alike.
This track already made a lot of Ravers scream and the fat bassdrum is kickin' butt for real !
Followed by the dynamic Thunder Man, A Certain Age (remastered and slowed from the original AGE track Darkhold), the trippy and mental The Deep and rounded up by the TR-808 banger 808 2 !
5 mind blowing Acid tunes for your pleasure :-)

The 3rd EP from Japanese label 'UGFY Records'.'UGFY' by Tokyo based dj 'You Forgot' and producer 'Yuji
Namiki' . Hybrid sound of breaks acid house & ambient sounds. Bomb for dancefloor.

2024 Red Vinyl Repress

Another classic EP of cutting edge new-school Acid Techno from Corrosive featuring the driving beats and relentless acid rhythms of Punky Junx, Chris Liberator & Sam DFL, Austin Corrosive, and TikTok (in his Ektik guise, joined by Aggie Acid Line and Bassline Ben). Super- ferocious and 'avin it!!

Amelie Lens' EXHALE Records is back with a mammoth 15-track compilation featuring 17 producers. Part 1 features AIROD, Joey Risdon, Vizionn, Tigerhead & The Blackmailer.

UK based lovers of all things Electro, Hybrid Collective have assembled their first compilation on Vinyl. Present are heavy hitters such as Arsonist Recorder, Ekata, Kim Cosmik, The Droid, Broken Joe and Science Cult’s Syrte with dance floor ready electro stormers. The release will be coupled with a launch event in London.

Unlimited Happiness Records is presenting their first Various Artist series “Needs Vol.1”. Inspired by the eager to discover, the need for new electronics day after day. A Fast pasted A-side by Lamont Stigler and Anci, steady and smooth on the B-side with Redray and Mills Boogie. The diamond city delivers.

Anders Enge follows up last year’s ”Visceral Hump” EP and previous releases on BÖRFT rec. with ”Phantom Ladies”: A combination of tracks that are loose but lucid, spectral techno with a shadow of phantasm. From acid draped electronica to the b-side’s almost 17 minutes long dreamy and melancholic, yet manic house techno groover. Printed discosleeve, handstamped & numbered.

Fresh gear from this sturdy UK producer who's causing a proper stir in good places. Regis turns out a freefrom version that holds together veteran style under all the weight.. A Very strong EP!

2024 repress!

Blinding double pack of heavily old school influenced bleep, direct from the depths of England by prolific young producer, Tom Carruthers. These are heavily sample based mpc productions that harken to the carefree days when the pills were pure and the music was fresh and never stopped. When house was techno and techno was house, this long player takes the best elements from say Chill Records, early-Warp and the best Nu-Groove creating timeless dance tracks made for the warehouse dj. Essential stuff here. TIP!