Techno News

A balancing act between diverse genres, bound together by a distinctive, emotive and rough edged sound. That is what Danny Jeroense a.k.a. CANVAX creates in his small homestudio in Deventer (NL). The Koortsdroom EP is exactly that. You probably know what it's like. Waking up in the middle of the night screaming, with your heart beating in your throat. But are you really awake... or stuck in limbo. You just can't tell.

With "A LUV SO AL" we celebrate the universal connection between beings. Tune into the cosmic energy that surrounds us all and explore new territories of creativity, love and unity.

Consisting of a track by Rambadu called "Luv", a seducing vibration that merges hearts together, giving an overwhelming feeling of intoxication. "Soalte" a collaboration with his dear friend Vince Tehua, going on a shamanistic journey to the depths of our souls and a vision by Luigi Tozzi, mesmerising you into the tunnel of light.

All sleeves are hand-made with love!

Heralding the arrival of spring and the especially pertinent theme of rejuvenation, Spazio Disponibile announces their first physical compilation release, Primavera. Tilted towards the more introspective dimensions of the Spazio sound, label founders Donato Dozzy and Neel began piecing together this record with their own meditative reflections on the idea of rebirth before inviting two close friends and like-minded souls to contribute tracks of their own. AtomTM, aka Uwe Schmidt, creates a dense, detailed eerie rhythm flow, while Grand River slowly guides an emotionally-charged arpeggio to a crescendo. Matched with Neel and Dozzy's own patient rhythms and spacious arrangements, it's a fitting collection to calmly embrace a new day after an extended period of hibernation.

Anfisa Letyago hits the ground running with the ambient-infused, chest beating rhythm - 'Nisida'. Shackling percussion communicates fluently with rattling hi-hat patterns to create decadent layers of techno elegance. A carefully modulated synthesiser melody appears to chase the drum sequence throughout the arrangement's main body, circling gleefully around the stereo field like a shamanic ritual. Anfisa's own ethereal vocal shots glide through the mix to establish key moments of anticipation.

'Insidia' sensually evolves into a dazzling menagerie of rising pads and fizzing synth-lines. A rounded four-to-the-floor kick drum drives the track with subtle yet consistent affirmation, the minimalistic approach to the groove's main elements only serves to bolster the arrangement as one can truly appreciate every layer. Anfisa boldly follows with 'Not There', a significantly gritty low-end carries a glimmering arpeggiator ensemble through the entirety of the EP's closing moments. The undeniable glow of the composition's melodic elements pairs perfectly with the staggering undertow of kicks and low-slung toms.

Anfisa comes armed and ready for the return of the dance, and after successful releases on Hotflush and Rekids, she has a lot of exciting new releases to deliver this year.

This time it's another content. I went to the curve on my bike. However, I can't take a decent shot because I found a long bee in the area making a nest in the nearby fence. ''What is it?'' I thought it was going to deadhead on the line in broad daylight but when I saw the car passing by the side, there was a customer riding, so I found out it was a Rapid Airport. However, I wonder why I have changed the direction to deadhead despite the passing of the passing station. Well, the conductor has a lot of business before the arrival. I like to observe actions that look irrational at first glance from the reason for business. There might also be a longing for the conductor. Next time you go here, what's going on with the hive?

UFC Records back with their second release with a four tracks Ep produced by label´s co-ower R.I.P. Bestia. The four tracks are original tracks produced between 2020 and 2021 years. Side A of this EP contains two tracks more oriented for the dance floor, like "Chordal Constellations" where the psychedelic electronic of the 90's is fused with the minimal sound of the first 2000's and "VCO Ray”, where vocoder vocals are mixed with deep techno lines.

On the other side the Ep opens with "Khae!”, psychedelic breakbeat-techno accompanied by ethereal vocals, to finish with "VCO HardCore Foundation", a piece of breakbeat influenced by the Nu Skool Breaks that ends in an acid and breaks explosion.

Following up to his debut mini-album “Antennen” issued last year on Noorden, fellow Cologne-based producer Panta Rex returns to the label with “Lefty”, his sophomore three-track delivery which finds him scoping out the confines between photophobic modular techno, subsheavy traction and AI-operated melodicism.

True to the intricate engineering of his first compositions, Panta Rex expands his sonic logos to even broader horizons of -altered- functionality. Most definitely a piece of club-oriented abstr-activism though offering vaster sequences and audio expanses to perambulate your mind within, “Lefty” is a mille-feuille of textural ambiguities, secret rooms and corridors – piecing together galloping dynamics with bleepy opaqueness as it leaves your mind out of focus all the way through to a steely, slo-burning yet highly choreographic finale.

Veering off to a more aqueous, dubby state of mind, B1 “Swerve” draws the loud, muffled kicks and FX-drenched synth stabs for a much immersive ride in the deep, shrouded in organic envelopes and overlapping layers of intriguing sonic minutiae. Closing cut “Dizz” wraps it up on a more breaksy note with its contrasted ballet of wistful strings, sliced-and-diced drumwork and dissonant chimes opening us to a heightened, 90s-informed apex of sorts, where Panta Rex’s subtle touch and widescreen vision bloom all the more unreservedly.

“Blank Mind founder Sam Purcell returns to Blank Mind following a production mix for Blowing Up the Workshop and SMX collaborations.

'Studio Pads' thumps through at a bossy 117bpm, a sound system march that takes cues from early Chicago house as much as contemporary UK bass. Built on a gnarly two-note main riff, peppered with horn blares, it's minimal and primed for strutting and skanking.

On the B-side, 'Murmur' provides a sweet, pastoral contrast, the warmth of sun on skin. Dropping the tempo, birdsong recordings play back sidechained to a sub bass groove, Detroit chords refract through tight delays, and everything is kept in the pocket by syncopated hi-hats.”

Edit Select Records returns to vinyl after a long hiatus with the excellent new record from rising Spanish star Oxygeno.

The EP includes two remixes from Edit Select & Lewis Fautzi and will please fans of melodic and harder edged techno, from the beautiful melodies of "When Everything Ends" to the cinematic perfection that is "Silence (Edit Select Remix)" everything on this EP is perfectly balanced for any of your set needs.

A must have for all serious collectors!

Extrawelt are back with a raw unpolished techno jewel called "Heracid". A track that slowly drills deep into your techno soul. Be sure this track will not let you down. It has that unique Extrawelt quality of being friends with you before it even gains traction. Maybe it is the trust you put in Extrawelt after having released so many great tracks that you feel in good hands and in good company with this new Extrawelt track!

"Heracid" is no classic acid track though it throws in a reference to the acid days. But overall it carries more of an undercurrent urgency and simmering that builds the tension of the track. This may as well put it next to the excellent techno tracks you have heard recently. It is a powerful and muscular track to sink into and enjoy.

"Madjafala" has a different logic than the a-side track "Heracid" it gives only vague „answers“ to the arising expectations when listening to the track. It could be called a track perfectly in tune with our unstable times. There is certainly a lot of neurotic energy and tricky twists in directions you would not have expected. There is enough tension for a whole year in this unusual track.

The vinyl comes with a very nice and minimalistic cover art from Maria Louceiro featuring a pattern made of frozen waves, beautiful and interrupted.

key selling points: Extrawelt are back with a raw unpolished techno jewel called "Heracid". A track that slowly drills deep into your techno soul. Be sure this track will not let you down. A powerful and muscular track to sink into and enjoy.

Let's welcome the next 8bit debutant and rising New York house dj Yulia Niko on Gorge & Nick Curly's imprint.

With her releases on Crosstown Rebels, Get Physical and Watergate Records Yulia proved how she effortlessly blends sultry house vibes with the underground. Applause please.

"A deep oceanic trip from BLNDR supported by an hypnotic killer remix from Voiski.
All of it in a full colour sleeve with a clear dolphin vinyl.
(might work as an underwater ID when you are diving as well)
What else could you want ?
Close your eyes & enjoy the ride..."

BAR07, a double A side featuring an 11-minute mind bending rollercoaster by JEANS and the debut of Blond, a new moniker by Oceanic, delivering the perfect spring / summer track.

*Repress*

Jon Dixon from Timeline / UR going deep on his 4EVR 4WRD label

Repress

After launching their own De Stijl label last year, Artefakt are back on Delsin with Icarus, a sparkling new four track outing. Known for their intricate sound design and deep yet hard hitting grooves. Always serving up atmospheric music that is artful and filled with rich detail, they continued on their own path once again here. Starting with the smooth and hypnotic, stripped back grooves from Icarus. Followed by the cavernous and immersive ambient trip Ganzfeld Effect. The darker Vapour is still heady and meticulously crafted with deft little details, a rich sound field and supple techno drums getting you in the zone. Delphic then offers crisp breakbeats, dubby drums and electrically charged synths that are physical but emotional. It's another perfect fusion of light and dark, thoughtful and physical techno from this ever impressive pair.

Up next from the Rhythm Buro label is an EP from Cyspe, who might be better known as Robin Koek or for being one half of the almighty Dutch techno duo Artefakt. RB003 marks a special occasion for the label in releasing a full EP from a single artist. After This World seems to proceed forward fittingly on the same path once paved by Cyspe's debut record 'Amnesia', released on Koek's own label, Insula, in 2014.

From the label's inception, Koek has been a supporter and close friend of the Rhythm Buro team. Playing live at Rhythm Buro parties as Cyspe as well as live with Artefakt, the two have worked and partied close together. A release from Cyspe became a very welcome natural step for all.

A1 bursts open with 'Nexus,' a cerebral-atmospheric-blanket of a dance track, arguably the strongest offering on 'After This World'. Apparently, quite the story can be told in just seven and a half minutes for those attuned to listening. 'Mindscape' comes next, providing a notably nice ambient contrast to its dance floor-feeding predecessor. A2 maintains a similar vein and flavor of the sublime, if not a further development toward the heavenly and spiritual. The B-side proves to be a prime example of what 'deeper techno' is capable of: grooves that drive the dancer from this realm to the next. Both 'Earwitness' and the title track are sure to be rich vehicles for those sacred 'closed-eyes' moments on the dance floor.

WHS 01 It all starts with Jalada, an ocean of possibilities. It commences with whisper, root-energy of the label, carefully and wisely performed by each of the four tracks part of this record. Danieli starts in medias res, with muffled sounds that seem to embrace everything, like mist surrounding a pond whose colors are reverberating all around. Jalada paints with sound the shades of spring, engaging in a beautiful dance with Mother Nature, exploring with attentive eyes, and ends with a delicate coda that leaves the listener hungry for more. Jalada’s first treatment is by Wa Wu We. We move to the outer world, still being anchored to a natural environment: meditative, collective dance. Dense soundscapes, immersive pads, frequencies in constant motion, techno filled with lifeblood. Happily walking in nature, the listener is invited to look around. The wind blows constantly, shaping melodies, expanding textures, bringing darkness at times, light altering the surroundings at others. However, nothing can change the direction and determination of this joyful stroll. Feral steps in for the second rework, where his signature touch sets the scene at night. Little bells like stars lighting up create a multidimensional, shamanic atmosphere. Fascinating as the night itself, this version is both primed for the dancefloor and reminiscent of a ritual in nature, where space and time have no meaning. Haunting yet earthbound: the song of Syrens for nocturnal beings. The last treatment brings magic in: slower whispering, a diaphanous atmosphere, watery sounds forging an enchanted universe. Illuvia is the rain bringing the listener back to that misty pond, dripping sweat framing a candid smile after a night of dancing.

a a1 Daniel

Fresh from the silky deepness of “Back to Mine”, his standout contribution to the compilation Dixon Presents Transmoderna, Echonomist now steps to the fore with his debut EP, Virtuality.

The sound of MARTIN MERZ is a scenario of gloomy soundscapes and analogue bass figures, paired with elements from Industrial and EBM which takes the listener into the abyss of an urban future.
For his electronic compositions MARTIN MERZ isn’t only fishing in technowaters as he also lets his listeners glide through ambient landscapes which transform into pumping organic shapes of groove and synth melodies.
It’s those bubbly basslines making love to space-filling spheric sounds and tribal drums that turn everything into a timeless and dancy work of art.

"A shield against death,
Blood, fire and power.
The purity of feelings,
For an eternal youth."

After more than 5 years in the techno scene as an organizer, label, and agency, RAW is launching their first vinyl compilation including 16 original tracks from a well-curated list of top producers. The release features several early label contributors as I Hate Models, Under Black Helmet or Hadone with respected and inspirational artists as Perc, Somniac One, Thomas P. Heckmann, or Clouds to name a few.

Entitled Gemstones, this V/A is divided into 4 colored vinyls representing precious stones, promoting a hard and harsh sound from industrial to emotional techno stompers.

With releases on the likes of Organic Music, Housewax and (djebali), plus a string of stand-out EP’s via their own labels Sintope and Sintope Digital, Timisoara’s NTFO have established themselves as key names within the realm of minimal and deep house since making their production debut back in early 2008. Having released their ‘Esperantza’ EP on the label last year, here we see the pairing return to Bondage Music in fine form to open their account in 2019 with the impressive ‘Dobr’.
Title cut ‘Dobr’ opens the EP as the duo quickly go to work, introducing a slick blend of sharp drum shots amongst snaking bassline patterns, whilst ‘Blissed Out’ combines organic percussion licks, punch low end tones and warping synth leads to great effect. Next, the first vinyl only track on the package ‘Riddin’ welcomes dubby pads and crisp hats before flowing steadily into the slinking, metallic tones and 303-tinged bass stabs found throughout ‘Standers’.

A mysterious journey through the shadows in the darkness is emerged by our new installment. The charismatic duo Bichord debuts on Eclectic Limited with a fantastic EP titled "Continuum" featuring 3 powerful tracks identified by their trademark sound. Edit Select interprets with a high-flown remix wrapped up in charming thundering shades.

The clergy is pleased to introduce you to a new initiate: Birds ov Paradise. This highly anticipated Hypnus debut comes split into three separate EP's which will be released one each full moon starting October.

Some of you may be acquainted with the music of Birds ov Paradise already as he's put out two stellar records on Jens and Aniara Recordings in 2016-2017, as well as making a contribution to our podcast series The Memoir where his sound was put on a grand display. Those of you who are new to the fantastic dream world of this very talented artist will quickly get lost in the flowing rhythms that drives his magical deep techno sound.

Early support from Etapp Kyle, Ness, Slam, Iori, Refracted, Svreca, Cio D'Or and Dorisburg to name a few.

Conforce signs "Wavetable" to Sungate - an energetic and diverse four-track EP produced using mostly wavetable synthesizers. These chord-driven tracks showcase a sophisticated danceable approach with proper groove. Rotterdam techno in its purest form.

Purple Vinyl in Label Cover pressed on 180g, incl. remixes by Roger Gerressen and Mihai Popoviciu

LIMITED TO 150 COPIES

Paula left crossing each river twice, knowing there would be nothing to come back to and on the way each of her steps continuously sonicated and extruded to finally collapse into the emptiness she once came from.

Markus Suckut is a well known producer in the techno world, whose releases have found a home on such respected labels as Rekids, Odd Even, Hypercolour or Edit Select to name just a few. Suckut is also the founder of the SCKT imprint. The Düsseldorf producer has been a part of the 'made of CONCRETE' family for some time now and the pair up between the two on 'Voices In My Head' feels like an ideal match.

The title track 'Voices In My Head' may give off a tranquil feel but pay close attention and you’ll hear the psychosis bubbling below the surface. The synth scribbles that underpin the track would get the best of a sane mind in the right setting. '8' follows. It’s a smart, profound cut designed to raise the pressure on the dancefloor. On the flip, 'Drift' comes to life with fantastic mind-bending sweeps. Label bosses Rebar close the EP off on a quasi devotional touch with their rework of 'Voices In My Head'. The pair stays in the deep end with sublime synths and a stripped back rhythmic architecture. It’s a perfect counterpoint to Suckut’s original.

Sublunar Records, the label run by Sciahri and Dagdrom, starts 2019 with his tenth re- lease.

'Corpora' is a new trilogy project whose elements will see the light throughout the year.

Part I involves Nuel, known for his collaboration with Donato Dozzy on the Aquaplano project and author of for two genre defining album on Further Records.
His contribution 'Intarsia' is a polyrhythmic mixture of ascending synth spirals where every element is tuned for maximum clarity and impact.
Then Sam KDC, an integral part of ASC's cutting edge Auxiliary label and regular on Geoff Presha's Samurai and Samurai Horo, comes in with 'Skirmish', a ritualistic experience where a memorable melodic figure is surrounded by delicate drum patterns. On the B side co-founder Sciahri releases all the tension with 'Linfa', pushing his signature sound into heavy atmospheric disturbances where distorted grooves bounce among skittering bits of percussion.

Isolated percussion and gravely atmospherics blended in this new deep hypnotic sampler of Koslif. Where its minimal elegance, rich textures and dystopian soundscapes are taking you to the next level.

Repressed!

This record took a while to be finished but we're glad to finally release this beautiful EP from Matthew. The title track ‚Heimreise‘ has already been around a few years ago but never got to be released officially due to the vocal sample. After speaking to Matthew he sent us the track and we used it in our Cercle set last year which gave the track a second life and lots of people were asking for an official release. After lengthy negotiations the sample could be cleared and licensed and we finally finished the EP. We worked on a remix for ‚Heimreise' what turned out to be quite a challenge but after all we could wrap it up right before deadline and the whole record was ultimately done and set to release.

These two originals need no big introduction or explanation. ‚Heimreise' and 'Random Dub Fix' are wonderful displays of Matthews Dekay’s ability to create such hypnotic grooves that almost put you in a state of meditation. We still have so much fun playing these out that we really think this is a timeless piece of music. Thank you all for the patience, we’re happy that ‚Heimreise' found its forever home with Siamese.

Adrian & Adrian

Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value or between two or more different states. Aleksi Perala uses the 128 resonant colundi frequencies to create an oscillation perfected to 33.3 rpm for an infinite effect. Part 2 of a 2 part series divided over Clone Basement and Dub.

Conforce signs "Wavetable" to Sungate - an energetic and diverse four-track EP produced using mostly wavetable synthesizers. These chord-driven tracks showcase a sophisticated danceable approach with proper groove. Rotterdam techno in its purest form.

At the latest since groundbreaking releases on labels like Music Man and R&S Belgian techno stands for intense and atmospheric tunes which have that certain something that touches the listeners and dancers.

And without any doubt Michael Forzza and Dimitri Andreas have helped to shape this style and vibe, amongst others with releasing „Kahana“ in 2005.

Marc Romboy has always been a big fan of this tune so that it was a matter of time to plan a re-release including the original mix in a remastered way and three new versions which are more than audiolicious!

Barcelona´s specialists for ethereal techno, Fur Coat, come around with an extremely respect version which brings that certain early 90s dream techno vibe a la „The Age Of Love“ together with their typical contemporary and atmospheric sound.

Music Man´s finest Petar Dundov adds his best known sound signature to the tune while Forzza and Andrweas themselves master the impossible, as they transform the tune into a modern frame although keeping the original vibe.

New listeners and gourmets reminiscing about the good old times, noone will be disappointed at all!

180g Vinyl // Vinyl Only // Blue Vinyl

German label Bondage Music delivers the six instalment of its ‘Bondage Games’ series. Another vinyl only release, this time with four fresh tracks from Markus Homm, Andre Kronert, Pornbugs and Dust Yard.

The Echonomy Split Series puts out recordings which have already been released in small numbers; it brings together two artists who are kin to each other, be it in terms of genre, approach, aesthetics, or other similar relations. In recontextualising these works, new dynamics and associations evolve.

Felix-Florian Tödtloff and Schweben/Philipp Hager are acquainted since years, but never recorded together. Long ago, Felix played in the Berlin-based screamo band Petethepiratesquid, Philipp put up DIY shows somewhere in the swamps of southern germany. Then Philipp started playing in the motorik krautrock duo Zement, and as Felix had been building a reputation of his own as an audio engineer with Aetherweight, he mastered some of their releases. Then came 2020 and all its hegemonial narratives. In May of that year, Philipp played a livestream solo/soli show for a club he was involved in back in the days. 10 tapes were made. Felix used a number of recordings done all over the globe and built the song „Volta“, released in June on a split tape of 50 copies with the great Jeans Beast on Mönchengladbach‘s Econore label.

Upon hearing both recordings around the same time, the similarities were so obvious they sounded almost like two solo recordings of a duo. In a nutshell: these two vibed smooth as fuck.

Built on a groundwork of time-stretching synth drones, both rise slowly into an anti-climactic ride through repetitive patterns. As Schweben takes the driveway to a dance show of mumbling sequence lines, Tödtloff puts on the grand gesture and throws himself into a deep-level minimalist piano etude. Both sides carry the character of exercises of the mind and the body, controlled loopholes and examinations of two things which feel lightyears away now and are so crucial to freedom and an open society: club culture (Schweben) and travelling (FFT). A third element is remembered and exercised in the tape itself: mutual dialogue and communication.

Crazy right Mike Parker on Float Records. With two originals he steals the show. Known for his iconic sound which is much imitated, never bettered. Just listen and enjoy both pieces of craftsmanship. On the flip side we have our well known Cirkle. With two successful releases on Float so far he now gets the chance to present himself on the magic black wax next to his personal hero Mike Parker.

For the 3rd instalment of Die Orangen’s Saft series on MT, we have invited dear friends Full Circle once again, this time remix- ing the track Krautback off DO’s album Zwei Orangen. Joakim & Alexis took a different turn from their proto-no-goa sound, with more than a nod to the late (and sadly missed) mr. Weatherall, and the result is a DUB. Another duo we are huge fans of, Smagghe & Cross, took the song Zwei and reshaped it into a minimalistic psychedelic tonal symphony, echoing the original song's voices and fx. On the B-side, after 3 years of working on it, we have finally brought together again the mighty duo Mungolian Jetset to re- work bits and pieces from the whole LP. Its a midtempo cosmic disco/house banger that keeps on giving. a pure outdoor festival gem... Last but not least, we are releasing as B2, for the first time on Vinyl, Die Orangen's collaboration with artist Eva Geist ( self-re- leased digitally earlier this year by the ginger boys themselves) ..... A perfect collaboration, bringing out the more sunny side of the D.O. duo......

3 tracks by 5 artists with a passion for stripped down dubbed out house and techno have joined forces for this very user-friendly piece of slab. The first track: Dub 2.3 by Fede Zerdan is a no-compromise ode to the sound of echoes in empty spaces. The second track Marz by Karina is a far more feline affair, purring it's way around a funkified acidic bassline with a groove that's guaranteed to make you move.

The label side is reserved for Minimal Surface... a collaboration between the Russian master of dub techno Heavenchord & the Italian dual delay and blood brothers, Sibling. This one is an insisting 4 to the floor peek time banger that is guaranteed to ripp dancefloors apart wherever it may land.