Techno Reviews – December 7, 2005

12” Singles

Birmingham – Rue East – Birmingham (UK)

Classic slice of techno from one of the most consistent producers on the scene, Rue East. Side A features the “Original Mix”, with smooth, compelling beats, chunky bass and lovely, despondent synth pads. The flip brings us the “Extended Raver Mix”, a version more than 3 years in the making, complete with big room trancy builds, driving rhythms and a ton of retro, glow stick inspiring flavor.
****(4 of 5)

Moogie Nights – Kingpin Cartel – Rewired (UK)

Kingpin Cartel is a collaboration between Chris Baker and Mark Broom, and they have been on fire over the past few months. This two track EP is no exception with thick rhythms and a ton of funked up flavor. The title cut takes up Side A and is a simple, 80s retro flavored electro house jam. With lush undertones, smooth percussion, thick bass and a Prince and the Revolution feel, this simply rocks. The flip is part “Set It Off” by Straffe, part Morris Day and the Time, and all funked up party rocker. The 80s are back, and they sound better than ever.
*****(5 of 5)

Old Skool Reunion EP – Stasis/ All-stars – Pure Plastic (UK)

Two classic old school tracks, remastered and repressed for your listening and set rocking pleasure. “20 ft Scarp” by Stasis is first, with funky beats, slow rising keys and a ton of energy. The flip features “Byters”, a 12 year old collaboration between Dave Hill, Mark Broom, Ed Handley, Plaid, Sasis and Baby Ford. Lush and deep, simple and ambient…this is an analog dream and a truly exceptional down tempo cut.
***(3 of 5)

Phantasmagoria EP - Kuniaki Takenaga – Maunke (UK)

Four dark, evil, rocking tracks from newcomer Kuniaki Tekenaga and the Manuke crew. The two standout cuts here are “Phantasmgoria Noel”, a menacing, hard, rocker with ferocious rhythms and ominous synths, and “Meltybladdia” an ass shaking, body rocking techno mover. Strictly for the forward thinking and headstrong amongst you; this is some sinister stuff.
***(3 of 5)

Over ver The Eight (remixes) – Bart Skils – Pure Plastic (UK)

Bart Skils returns to Pure Plastic, but this time it’s the remixers that really do the business. Mark Broom and Chris Baker (aka Kingpin Cartel), turn the original into a phat, think, funky drum track complete with quirky stabs, chunk bassline and a ton of rocking flavor. Mark Broom also delivers a solo mix, which kicks things up a few notches, adds some amazing, lush pads and simply kills from beginning to end. Already playing a major role in my sets, this is as tight a track as I have heard in ages.
*****(5 of 5)

Unreleased Volume 1 – Various – King of the Snakes (UK)

Another quality release from the vaults at King of the Snakes. Featuring Percy X, Locutus and label boss Mark Broom, this EP is techno lovers dream. “Missing Link” is first, with its deep keys, stripped down beats and a ton of subtle, yet driving energy. “Addicted Beats” by Mark Broom and Percy X and is the shortest, simplest and best track on this EP. Head bobbing, hard driving percussion, tight, jackin stabs and a couple of a simply massive tension building break down. The flip brings us Broom’s “Spect to the Man” a shuffling mover and “Broom’s Chime Mix” of Lucid Dreams by Locutus; a simple, melancholy mover with rolling beats and a ton of flavor.
***(3 of 5)

Pleasure Seeker – Elektrochemie – Get Physical (DE)

DJ Thomas Schumacher, Producer Stephan Bodzin and vocalist Caitlin Devlin bring us 3 tracks of hot, minimal electro rhythms. The title cut is first, featuring funky beats, sexy, whispered vocals and a massive bassline that engulfs everything in its path. The flip brings forth “Star Struck” and “Vexed”, the stand out cut here. Minimal percussion, trippy keys and angst filled vocals come together to form a simple killer.
***(3 of 5)

Schieber 01 – Moritz Piske – Schieber (DE)

Uncomplicated, rocking, minimal tech house from this new sub imprint of Deeprhythmmusic. “Rohr” is an absolute killer opening track, complete with simple percussion, rolling bass and a ton of ass shaking flavor. By far, one of my favorite tracks of the last 6 months. The flip features “Bestucker” in both original version and a hot remix. Solid Release.
****(4 of 5)

The 3rd Creation - Part II – Duptribe – Hilltribe (DE)

This EP is the completion of a series of remixes from the latest full length album from Duptribe, “The 2nd Creation.” Side A brings us an eclectic remix from Kid Loco and the truly fantastic “a.m. piper remix” of The Haunted. With funky, shuffling, Bosanova flavored drums, deep sexy xylophone keys and an unreal, jazzy sax riff, this is a late night gem. The flip features two more exceptional remixes from DJ Friction and the Strike Boys. Top quality from top to bottom.
***(3 of 5)

The Snake Re-Poisoned – Jussi Pekka – Frozen North (FI)

Release number 4 for Frozen North finds label boss Jussi Pekka and fellow countryman, Jori Hulkkonen taking a crack at remixing the ever excellent “The Snake.” Side A features Jori’s take on things, complete with lush undertones, driving drums and a massive acid bassline the rises and rises as it bounds toward a powerful finish. The flip features a new remix from Pekka, which starts off simple and minimal, and grows into a manic, dancefloor monster.
****(4 of 5)

Casa Arena – Various – Casa Del Puente Discos (AR)

Brilliant four track EP of various artists from Argentinean imprint, Casa Del Puente. While the contributions from Boeing, Dinky and Flavius Etcheta are all top notch, it is the simple, dreamy, Pierre Buci remix of Emisor that really does the trick. Lovely, laid back keys, simple, percussive elements and a sexy bassline take this track deep and never let up.
****(4 of 5)

Sampler EP – Various – Faucet (US)

From the Loco Dice flavored spoken word vocals of “Inside Out”, to “Reduce, Reuse, Reflux” which is essentially every classic acid house track ever made, rolled into one…this is as varied and eclectic and EP as you are likely to hear.
***(3 of 5)

Sell Out/ Sold Out Remix – Adult Napper vs. Number One Son – Matter Form (US)

Label boss Francis Harris is back under his Adultnapper moniker to drop “Sell Out”, a simple, tension filled Acid House killer that truly does the business. The flip features Harris, along with newcomer Number One Son on the remix tip, dropping an evil tech house monster. With funky beats, quirky keys and a massive, dark, tension filled bassline that will rip your dancefloor apart.
*****(5 of 5)

Amfibius Global Sampler – Various – Amfibius (US)

Four track EP with a couple of real bombs here. “Do Ya Feel It” from Mellowkids, a simple deep tech house rocker with vocal samples, subtle beats and a horn stab that will trip you and your crowd out. The other stand out in my eyes is the contribution from Derrick Boyd, a simple, dark tech house affair with a ton of atmosphere and rocking flavor. Quality release.
****(4 of 5)

Beat the Curve – Codebase – Intrinsic Design (US)

Simply gorgeous three track EP from Codebase and Intrinsic Design. “Beat The Curve” is first, with trippy, dreamy keys and upfront, compelling techno rhythms. Like the best stuff from Joris Voorn and Matthew Johnson, this is soothing and compelling at the same time. Side B brings us “Data Agent”, a lovely, minimal excursion and “Anomalies”, a lush, Noah Pred flavored Tech House mover.
***(3 of 5)

Beretta Grey Volume 1 – Various – Beretta (US)

Grey is a new sub label from San Diego/ Detroit based Beretta Music, focusing on the more laid back, minimal side of the techno and tech house spectrum. Keith Kemp kicks things off with “Bloom”, a truly stunning track. Simple, yet moving percussion, deep pads and a ton of subtle, but compelling tension fill out this late night smoker. “Dwell’ from Luke Hess is next, and drops way down in the subterranean underground. The flip brings us “Illusion” from Ryan Crosson, and the lovely “Satisfy”, by Seth Troxler. If this is what this imprint has in store for us, I suggest you put in your pre-order for the next 5 releases right now.
*****(5 of 5)