Techno Reviews – April 16, 2005
Do Not Sleep Volume 1 – Exos – Do Not Sleep (IS)
Debut release from this new imprint from Icelandic techno producer, Exos.
Side A brings us the “DJ Rush Remix”, complete with bangin’
beats, sparse percussion and trippy vocal stabs. The flip features a ferocious,
jaw dropping mix from Kasheii and the dark and gritty original, “After
Midnight.” Ruthless and rockin’, this is an outstanding debut
from the Do Not Sleep camp.
****(4 of 5)
Raw & Rare Vol. 2 – Various – Utils (DE)
Four wildly diverse techno bangers, from four exceptional talented producers.
“Out of Order” by Brian Sanhaji is up first, with its relentless
rhythms, hypnotic synth stabs and a tenacious, grinding energy that will
engulf anything in its path. “Ferien Auf n Hoggerhof” by DJ
Mahatma is next and takes things in a decidedly different direction, with
smooth tech house percussion and a foundation rocking bassline. The flip
kicks things up several notches with the blazing “Modulok”
from Marky (aka label boss Mark Pecnik) and “The Third Tempest”,
a scorching techno rocker from the manic mind of Asem Shama. Quality tools
for you next techno expedition.
***(3 of 5)
Harmony EP – Jussi Pekka – Frozen North Recordings (FI)
First release from Frozen North Recordings, features label boss and Finish
house master, Jussi Pekka at the controls. Three tracks of smooth, funky,
minimal tech house to rock any dancefloor. The standout cut, “Harmony”
slowly grows and rises with bubbling beats, electro flavored synths, rocking
bass and sinister vocal stabs. Looking forward to release number two and
more quality house from Jussi and his new imprint.
***(3 of 5)
The Pop/ Armed To Disarm – Number on Son – Matter Form Record (US)
Brooklyn based Matter Form Records drops release number 9, featuring
up and coming talent Erich Lee, aka Number One Son. “The Pop”
starts the ball rolling, with simple, effective tech house rhythms, a
chunky, electro flavored bassline and simple, trippy keys. The true standout
here however is on the flip side, “Armed to Disarm.” Simple,
tech house beats; vocal stabs and a fierce bassline dominate this body
rocking jam. Add an up for it crowd and a capable sound system to see
the true destructive power of this jam. Tight EP.
****(4 of 5)
Premonition – Kenneth Graham – Magnified Recordings (US)
Amherst, MA based Magnified Recordings is back with their fourth release,
this time featuring the deep tech house stylings of Kenneth Graham. “Prior
Engagement” is up first, with slow developing patterns of subtle
keys and haunting rhythms. The flip brings us “Premonition”,
a silky smooth, deep tech house mover with an absolutely gorgeous feel
and “Black Magic”, a mellow, down tempo affair. Seek out this
EP and add it to your collection as soon as possible.
****(4 of 5)
Riding Through – HD Substance + Noah Pred – Metapath (CA)
For the second installment in the collaboration themed Metapath series,
label boss Noah Pred teams up with Spanish Techno master, HD Substance.
The original mix of “Decision Time” is up first, with Noah
Pred showing why he is one of the most in demand young producers on the
scene. Layering funky beats, lush keys and a massive, driving bassline,
Pred rocks it from the word go. HD Substance takes his crack at the same
track next, bringing us a subtle, lush, Detroit styled groove. “Estado
Nervioso” is the flip side track, and the original rears its head
in classic Atlas Records style, with HD layering funky percussion and
rich synth stabs with mind-blowing results. The EP concludes with Noah
Pred on the remix duties, adding a more funked up, hard tech house version.
Four brilliant tracks from 2 of my favorite people in the techno world.
Great work boys.
****(4 of 5)
Ciucci Kola (Remixes) – Alexander Robotnick – Scatalogics (US)
Original produced in 1983, Alexander Robotnick’s “Glory Days”
has never been available on vinyl. NY based Scatalogics takes on the project
and doles out remix responsibilities to John Selway, Todd Sines and Ulysses.
Said to be getting major support from many big players, this is a worthwhile
addition to the collection of electro DJs, near and far.
**(2 of 5)
Mutha’ Funka – Uniting Souls – Uniting Souls Music (US)
Seattle based Uniting Souls Music drops their second release with Mutha’
Funka. The Original is an organic, funk influenced, jazzy house romp with
horns, wah wah effected bassline and a ton of soulful flavor. The flip
features the “Masterwille Remix”, enlisting the talents of
Willie Diggs (aka Johnny Fiasco and Jon Lemmon) for a funky, bouncing
tech house affair. Exceptional remix and the stand out version, without
question.
***(3 of 5)
Time Remaining EP – Various – Mafia Records (US)
Release number nine for Portland based Mafia Records. Bringing together
the production talents of new comer Jason Swales, Mafia staple Staffan
Ehrlin and the always rocking Dean Rodell, this is another extraordinary
EP for Joe McCann and the boys. “4 Sides” starts it off and
is a hard rocking, techno drum track of the first degree. The flip features
“Part of a Complication”, a straight for the jugular brutal
smash and “Jah Ride”, a compelling trip to the tough, hypnotic
side of techno and the stand out track on this EP. Quality, as usual.
****(4 of 5)
Evilution – Derek Martin – Rhythmic (US)
Up and coming NY based producer is handed the controls of this ship on
this sixth release for Rhythmic. The title track is a deep, slow building
tech house mover with subtle stabs and a cavernous bassline. The flip
features the undeniable “Too Many in my Head”, a trippy, deep
tech house mover with vocal stabs, funky beats and a ton of late night
flavor. The standout track here is “Playstate”, which was
recorded on a Sony Playstation, showing you don’t need the latest
gear to produce amazing music, this is a straight ahead killer that will
have you and your dancefloor moving.
****(4 of 5)
Sub Bass EP (part 1) – One Fingered Pocket – Amfibius Recordings (US)
Another superb release from San Francisco based Amfibius Recordings,
finds DJ Sulli and Ryan Jamez (aka One Fingered Pocket) at the controls.
“The Resistance” opens up the set with deep grooves, spoken
word samples and a ton of soulful flavor. “Free Your Mind”
is next, with silky keys, old school vocal samples and a slow, groovy
rhythm. The EP concludes with a more minimal dub that will work over the
most critical dancefloor.
***(3 of 5)
No Way Out – D Martin & Hiro – Faucet Music (US)
Derek Martin drops the debut release for his newly formed Faucet Music
imprint, with the help of underground house icon, Hiro of Con-Fu-Sion
fame. “No Way Out” is first, with forward moving tech house
percussion, trippy stabs and hot computerized vocals. The flip features
“Substitue Teacher”, a futuristic, electro infused tech house
mover with smooth percussion and hypnotic, left of center keys. “Come
In London” wraps up the set, with an incredible, infectious vibe
that is hard to resist. Said to already be winning favor with the Fabric
UK crew, this is deep, sexy and compelling in all the right ways.
****(4 of 5)
Spellbinder – Jeff Bennett – KG Beats (US)
Sweden’s Jeff Bennett is one of the busiest producers on the tech
house scene, yet he continues to churn out quality tunes, time after time.
The EP brings his talent to bear on two outstanding jams. “Spellbinder”
starts things off, with slow building percussion, drop bass and an amazingly
simple, yet effective “Casio” style keyboard riff. The flip,
“Partials” is a tribal influenced mover with rich keys, upfront
drums and a gradual, groovy texture.
****(4 of 5)
Wrist Block (Orig and Joey Beltram Remix) – Side Four – Hidden Agenda (US)
Tony Rohr and Dietrich Schoenemann are back under their Side Four guise
on this rocking 2 track EP. Side A features the original version, with
minimal but rocking percussion and trippy, acid tinged keys. The real
killer in this package however is the Joey Beltram remix turned in on
the flip. Hypnotic keys, banging beats and one tension building breakdown
after another. This is a hot reworking and a top quality addition to any
techno DJs set list.
****(4 of 5)
Electric Phaze – Gabriel Palomo & Deecoy – Zuvuva Recordings
(US)
Chicago based Gabe Palomo has been on the scene for more than two decades
and continues to push boundaries and establish himself as a respected
name on the worldwide techno and electro scene. His two entries here “Phase
1” and “Fx” are rocking, electro styled hard techno
movers that will absolutely slay in a blazing set. The flip features Deecoy,
a rising start on the electro scene after his debut album (as The Dirty
Criminals) on Deejay Gigolo Records. His two tracks here meld electro
sensibilities, synth pop elements and compelling beats.
***(3 of 5)
Infectious – Gene LeFosse – Convolute (US)
Another in a long line of superior releases from Convolute and Mr. Gene
LeFosse. Side A features the title cut, a funky, progressive infused tech
house mover with tribal undertones, affecting beats, vocal stabs and a
gigantic bassline that will rock the house. Exceptional.
****(4 of 5)
Beautiful – Big Head – Sinister Recordings (AR)
Sinister label boss, Big Head (aka Fernando Alvaro) is back with another
brilliant tech house mover. The “Original Mix” takes up residence
on Side A and features a sexy tech house groove built around the haunting
vocals of fellow Argentinean, Sumala. The flip is a remix from Texas producer
JV that brings a funky, techy vibe to the track. Deep keys, lush pads
and gorgeous vocals are combined with booty shaking beats, to amazing
effect. Hot jam with a ton of support for some big players on the scene.
*****(5 of 5)
Heavy Rescue – Ian Lahman – Abiotic Recordings (US)
Minneapolis based Abiotc Recordings is owned by two of the hottest young
talents on the US techno scene, Dustin Zahn and Ian Lehman. Here, Ian
is at the controls, dropping more of his signature techno madness. Side
A features the original version of “Heavy Rescue”, a hard
nosed, dancefloor rocker with relentless rhythms, rocking bassline and
a ton of evil undertones. Sweden’s even consistent Patrik Skoog
takes on the remixing duties on Side B. Forward moving rhythms and a more
stripped down take on the percussion, take this version through the roof.
The EP wraps up with another Lehman original, with more of his signature
atmospheric keys and straight, bangin’ percussion. Excellent record
from top to bottom.
***(3 of 5)