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CASSEOPAYA Power Trax [Prolekult25] This is the first Prolekult i have picked up in some time, because the releases all started sounding the same to me. So this, obviously, was a change. To picture what the two versions of the title track sound like, combine the trance/techno sounds of Oliver Lieb with that of Nico (from Missile, not the jungle guy). Power Trax 2.0 is the melodic version. Not epic, but very smooth. Reminds me of the old Detroit Red Planet label. It has that groove, with a stomping trance beat. Power Trax 2.1 is the hard techno-trance version. Both tracks are new twists to old tricks. [bliss]
DDR & THE GEEZER Drugs Work / Spades [C.O.S.H.H., UK] C.O.S.H.H. is yet another label to emerge from Mark Kinetec's growing techno empire. First a modest record shop - now four very successful labels, a beautiful purpose built studio (and almost DDR's bedroom!) and brand new and extremely impressive premises in Little Portland Street, right in the heart of dear old London. As for C.O.S.H.H. 2, Drugs Work is a rolling yet laid back acid techno groover that will keep your mood up and your head down as it slides around you. Which is not what I'd say about Spades. This is one of the first 'guitar' influenced acid tunes that DDR seems to be infiltrating into the system (watch out for Stay Up Forever 36 for another fine example) and the aptly named Spades nicks vocal samples and other Harley Davidson riding bits from Motorheads Ace Of Spades. Believe me, it's f***king brilliant. So polish your chrome fishtail exhaust, water down your bottle of Jack Daniels, rip the arms off of your denim jacket and check it out. Just leave the patchouli oil at home! [MT- (Released: July 1998 BPM: 152)]
DOUBLE SIX Real Good (Zen Terrorists Mix) [Multiply, UK] So I'm slaving away through a big pile of breakbeat promos, filling out the reaction sheets like a good little boy (take note everybody who doesn't bother to send reactions back to me at Truelove) not really expecting too much to pop up for a banging straight beat set that I'm compiling for the weekend, when this tune hit's me. And I mean hit's me. Admittedly, the other tunes on this EP are really good - but give me a hard fast 4/4 with a breakbeat interlude, give me a 60's style synth line laid over the top of it, give me a whirring, intense build up that surges and snakes about and then finish me off with a totally insane pounding four to the floor at the end that is made to mix out of like a dream. Then, and only then, scrape me off of my bedroom floor and tell me I'm dreaming. [MT- (Released: 27 July 1998 BPM: 150)]
FLUKE Absurd EP [Astralwerks, US] This was just sitting around, and i gave it a listen thinking i was just going to hear some big beat crappola and electronica fluff that Fluke is now known for for the past couple years. The two mixes of the title track and "Slid" did not change my mind about that feeling in the slightest. BUT, "Squirt" made me glad i did listen to this; it's a definite sleeper, a diamond in the rough. A track that makes you almost forgive Fluke for putting out all that "electronica" they have been when they used to be a respectable TECHNO outfit. Squirt's melodic epic trance makes you remember trance from 93/94, but with more production going in. That's not always a good thing, as every track nowadays is an obvious attempt to be the next big hit (hint: almost every progressive house track), rather than be a mixing tool. Squirt works fine though. [bliss]
GERMINATING SEEDS OF DODAUpside Din [21: 3] When you next stand at the counter of your local record shop and the words 'fierce breakbeat trance' are ready to trip off of your tongue when asked what you're after, don't utter a word. Just point at anything in a 21:3 bag and shout "Give me all you got, now". Upside Din is surely the way forward for all those DJ's who are tired of pounding out a 4/4. It has the funkiness of big beat, the weirdness of trance and the scratching and sampling of trip hop with bags of credibility left over to keep your head held high. And it rocks. [MT- (Released: July 1998, BPM: 135)]
NOSTRUM Brilliant [Time Unlimited, GER] I usually am not into Nostrum that much, at least enough to spin any of their stuff. I know what you're thinking: "How can you spin trance and not like Nostrum???". I know they are pretty popular on the East Coast, and have played live a number of times here.. But, their stuff is too OVERLY melodic for me.. not progressive, just a little too floaty for me. Brilliant was a nice surprise- it still has the Nostrum melodic ingredient, but has a lot more energy. This hearkens back to the 95 style trance- stomping energy mixed with quirky, though subtle, acid lines... the happy synth stabs, and bell stabs. I'm not complaining that this sounds older; in fact I love hearing older style trance. I don't think I could ever get sick of it. There are two versions- the Long Version and the Hard Trance Version (which obviously picks up the energy a little bit more, but isn't that different). [bliss]
RA The Curse [Lush, UK] Not your typical melodic Lush release, "The Curse" is darker and industrial, almost goa (though repetitive). This isn't a floor-filler. Set-filler track would be more like it. "Tokyo Boy" is more melodic, but in a cheesy- high energy way. It'd be a lot better off without the raved out arpeggiator line that keeps playing the same melody over and over; there is some darker, evil noises going on underneath and when that annoying shit goes away, which i like. But, it's ruined for me. If you like that sorta thing then check it out. I'm waiting for Lush #27, by The Secret (Secret Records, Future AKA, Sperm Records). [bliss]
ROWLAND THE BASTARD Intent To Supply EP [Bionic Orange Bio4] If you've got your head stuck in the encyclopedia of London underground acid techno, then you probably would have already come across Rowland's stuff. If you haven't, then it's banging with a capital B, 'avin it with a capital A and acid with a pH figure well off the scale. Bit like Rowland really. This is the fourth release from his Bionic Orange label which was graced with a Chris Liberator remix on only it's second release and delivered the menacingly brilliant 'Spinebender' on it's third. This time they hits us, not once, but twice with double pack that takes us to all points on the techno trance map. It can be kinda funky, it has attitude, it's got a kick like Bruce Lee and it certainly has enough acid to dispose of your victims with. [MT- (Released: 22 Jun 1998, BPM: 144)]
TARBALL & LUNGBUTTER Sonic Eruptor [Bionic Orange] A few years ago you could barely find any decent new British acid techno that was consistently excellent. Then a glut appeared that was mostly mediocre stuff with a desire to tread the path that Stay Up Forever had paved before them. But out of that whole group of labels has emerged Bionic Orange. This one-man operation continues to set itself apart from the crowd with tunes like this. If you thought that the Intent To Supply EP was class, then check this out. Midsweep Monofest is a very effective, tightly produced acid builder that reaches into your mind, fiddles about 'til it's heart's content and then flicks switches you never knew you had. But it is the giant-sized Sonic Eruptor that is doing the damage every time I hear Bionic Orange's Rowland The Bastard play it out. More noises appear every time I hear it's exquisite acid techno soundscape build up around me. By all means listen to it in your headphones to hear how much work has gone into it, but if your life depends on it, make sure you hear it on a big rig in the middle of a heaving nightclub and watch the walls come down. [MT- (Released: July 1998, BPM: 150)]
WEATHERMEN Don't Stop [Boscaland, UK] Pumping techno-trance with a sample i heard on the Bad Boy Bill "Bangin' the Box 2" tape. I tried looking on the jcard to see what song that was, but given how fast BBB's mixes are and how long the playlist is, it's near impossible. You know which one i mean though- "One two ya'all.. yes yes... Ya Don't Stop". Imagine that sample with music similar to Stay Up Forever (minus the acid.. yes, i know it's hard to imagine SUF without acid). It rocks for the first half, then gets kinda old. But hey, that's why Djs are supposed to know how to mix. "909 Back Up" pumps without changing very much; slowly building with a weird bagpipe sample all tweaked out ushering the track in, then an elastic bassline takes over. This one loses my interest 1/2 in as well. But both are winners; just don't play them out to the end. The Weathermen is Julian Liberator and Henry Cullen. [bliss]
DJ BAGGADONUTS Just Married EP [Donut Records, US] The sophmore release by DC native Baggadonuts is a lot different than the debut. This one is more straightforward techno, almost minimal, but enough changes going on to keep it moving. The energy is definitely there- both of the two tracks on this 10" would work well in slow or fast, and hard or soft sets- great versatility. Lots of 606 trickery; funky with an edge. A new direction already for the new label- but it works. What's the next one going to be like? Looking forward to finding out. Congratulations to Baggadonuts and his new bride. [bliss]
BRIXTON (Norbert Wieschollek) Fluxinchen EP [Flux/Paradiso] "SM20" is pretty darn odd, definitely a builder - a tweaky builder, but a builder. "Sexrex" is also pretty bizarre, very VERY odd sounds in this one. A lot of the cool stuff is going on underneath. "2B" is also more of a builder than something that totally does it on its own. Grating, grueling synth action abounds. "Peace" is the real winner here, bleepy and tweaky in all of the right ways, a lot of other odd shit going on just to increase the freakout factor. Quite unique, if it's your kind of thing it will definitely justify the purchase of this record. All in all, if you're into the tweaker techno vibe you will love this record... if not, your money is probably better spent elsewhere. [pezboy]
CLAUDE YOUNG Inskripshun Malfunkshun Pattern Buffer02 [DJAX] WOW..this 4 track EP pounds. It's complete with that classic Claude Young style- dark insect rhythms, slamming beats, some tribal emotion complete with textured synth lines. On a whole this EP has a very dark moodiness to it, similar to the Twine stuff on Surface. Each track progresses very well and is definitely for flippin' heads. The First Pattern Buffer was called "Darker Places"; I think this one should have been titled that since it's definitely more indicative of what that title implies. [Dan Physics]
JAY DENHAM 1964 EP [Cosmic Records] Jay Denham is back with a brand new invention, another solid 4 track EP from the Kalamazoo camp. For me this record sounds completely fresh and different than what Jay has done before; it's a very deep and dark release of emotional music. Each track has its own message. Very textured organic sounds and heavy back end (but not overpowering), this record is all about balance in the mix. This one is gonna be in my crate for a while cause all 4 songs are beautiful additions to any set. [Dan Physics]
LESTER FITZPATRICK Headlights [State of Mind] "Headlights" is boom-tsk acid house with some really tweaky melodies throughout. Quite aggressive, a bit unpolished (whether that's good or bad is up to you). "Into the Dark" is the total keeper on here... Quite a bit more produced, quite evil, quite tweaky. I dig it, definitely has the funk going on. "Pandemonium" is hard and pounding acid tech-house, a cross between Drop Bass and DJAX. Pretty weird. [pezboy]
MARIO J Home EP [Method 11:11] This 4 track EP has a very interesting quality to it, it's definitely one of the better releases of late. If you like the Advent you'll love this record; it's along the same lines of the Advent style, only it has its own personality. This EP is full of snappy crisp percussion, the type that pounds through you on a big system. These trax are the type you can play to build a crowd or to bring 'em down a bit, furthur evidence to support the fact that effects play just as much of a role in music as do the synthesizers pushed through them. [Dan Physics]
OLIVER KAPP Mandancer EP [Indulge Recordings] When I bought this I was in chill mode, looking for something to cool me off in the hot summer heat. Well I think I found it. This EP is 5 tracks of total Detroit, very lush synths and textured beats with that signature Detroit full percussion. Track 1 almost makes me feel as if I am walking in the old auto factories in Detroit at night and I can feel the vastness of those places and the lush but creepy chill of what lurks in the darkness around me. Track 2 is a very organic minimal track- stark but thick synth line and simple percussion. Track 3 almost reminds me of driving on I-94 into the city at night, the way the sky illuminates off the city skyline as it crests off in the distance. The same goes for track 4, it's a very road inspired cut. The 5th track is short and seems very introspective: very bright beats and dark rhythmic synth pads. All in all this EP is slower than some of Oliver's other stuff I've heard, but it's nice, sort of a futuristic house sound. [Dan Physics]
RANK (Lasse Steen) Eat It While It's Cold [Minimalistix/Paradiso] "It's Called Weird" is a great track to use for building - the energy progresses very slowly, very constantly. And still, the track is quite tweaked-out... a lot of the cool shit is going on in the background, quite subtly. "Paperjam" is pretty dark, a little scary, also a good track for building up the energy of another. "Klaphat" rocks, very awesome grating synth line, tons of energy, will definitely take people somewhere else if you drop it on them at the right time. "Wap-And" has a nice galloping beat, and a nice minimal yet groovin' synth line. The energy builds up slowly, and then another really tweaked synth line comes in at the end. Another builder. All in all, this record is quite awesome, produced extremely well, and just off the deep end enough to freak people out. [pezboy]
RICHARD HINGE Ette-Sill [Hidden Agenda004 promo] This is the 4th installment of the Hidden Agenda label (I would have reviewed number 3, but since I have a track on there I'd rather not be so vain... I'll let someone else review it). I really like this record, even though for the most part it's very chill, it's full of depth. Track 1 feels as if it has so many layers; if you listened to this on a loud system in a huge warehouse you could almost close your eyes and imagine things coming at you from different areas of the building. It builds nicely. Track 2 is pretty heavy, the beat bangs through like bass armageddon, the percussion is masked behind what sounds like a bit of distortion and alot of reverb. It has a droney synth line in the background that really makes this a spooky track- you could scare some heads with this (YES!!). The synth continues to build in intensity until it becomes the scariest thing you have heard. Flip it over and the first track on side 2 is a nice groovin track, it has some nice rhythmic hooks in just the synths alone. The track tweaks and morphs and builds and gets better every beat..I bet if you played it right you could flip heads with this one. Track 4 is very chill, really pretty and thick. This is one of my favorites on the record, it almost sounds as if Richard was influenced by Detroit (circa 1994) on this track. [Dan Physics]
SIDNEY HIH (produced by Mark Verbos) East of the River [Minimalistix/Paradiso] If you don't buy this record, you are a moron. "Foot Work" is the absolute friggin' shit, totally pounding, a nice, hard groove. And then the super-groovey funkalicious synth line comes in, and everything blows up! This track makes me drool! In fact, I'm drooling now writing this. "Milwaukee's Best" is more solid techno madness, a bit more aggressive, the synth lines kind of grating and warped. Nice driving bass line. "Unicorn in the Basement" (I don't even want to know) is bleep-bloop fun, an acidy bass line underneath. Tweaked as fuck, yet solid. "We Have Rats" (at least they don't have crabs) is more bleepiness, but this one goes even MORE crazy... out of control, I really dig it. This record is quite, quite awesome. It might bug some people on the dancefloor out, but hey, that's the point, right? [pezboy]
SIGMA (Dimitri Dewever) Second Encounter [Focus/Paradiso] Okay, I'm going to go right out and admit that this record makes me gook. "Red and Blue" is completely and totally righteous, very soulful and deep techno grooves, sure to drive people into an absolute frenzy. This is one of those tracks that I play for every DJ buddy of mine who comes over. A real dark, melancholy high synth line comes in toward the end, totally blowing shit out of the water. Amazing. "Early Morning" is bleepy weirdness, then going into a funky jam which carries along for the rest of the track. I'm not exactly sure how to describe this one... Quite "Detroity," if you know what I mean (the melody is very Detroity, in that full of soul kind of way). If used at the right time this one is totally cool. "Moving Shades" is brilliant in the same way "Red and Blue" is... very deep, very emotional techno, still very driving at the same time. "Undercover" is fucking dark and evil and I LOVE IT. Totally awesome, i can't even describe this one. BUY THIS RECORD! The production is beyond awesome n all of these tracks, Dimitri Dewever is quickly being elevated to the status of "techno god" in the mind of pezboy... fucking incredible. [pezboy]
SUBHEAD VS. SUBVOICE [Subvoice 15] 4 trax on this EP, all pretty solid. Trax 1 and 2 are pretty straightforward percussive workouts. Track 1 is my least favorite of all four, but that's not to say it's not a good track- it has a nice bangin' beat and a few of the classic Subhead style hooks. Track 2 gets the award for the head flipper- it has an off-kilter crazy rhythm indicative of Subhead. Track 3 is the cut; a dark brooding synth layered over a really nice body of rythmn that morphs and changes throughout- it's dark and it slams! #4 is for the chill techheads, full of weird analog sounds that almost sound like sticking your head in a huge metal pipe and having someone blow over the end of it (like a coke bottle). [Dan Physics]
SUCHASER Discoded EP [Minimalistix/Paradiso] This is a very tweaky techno record. In the good way, of course. "Industrious" is a nice bleep-fest with some jiggy highs that are sure to get the groove on. "Ultra-Curve" is a bit more energetic, a lot of the power again coming from the crazy jams on the highs. The main synth line is actually kinda laid back, but it gets carried along by all of the other insanity. It only pops up for a moment anyways. "Saucer Watch" has a great burbling bass line that carries the track, and contrasts nicely with, you guessed it, more insane highs. Nice break where a low bleep line comes in, drives the tweaky highs under for a while... an epic battle between the highs and the lows! "Keep Track Off" is yet more bleep/bloop mayhem, tweaked to the max. This whole record is quite solid, especially if you go for the real insane/mental shit. [pezboy]
UNIT PARK Don't Park EP [Plastic City] Probably the most dancefloor oriented release by Unit Park so far, I also like it the best. The title track is totally awesome, the main line consisting of a pretty tweaked bell jam arpeggio. Some really odd shit going on, a lot of it is quite subtle. Very intelligent, extremely well produced. I'm glad that UP is going in this direction, I think they've finally found the formula they were looking for... progressive and totally weird, but highly danceable/playable. "Coolducter" is a bit more on the housey side, also pretty tweaked (although kinda laid back as well). "Metallika" is also a house numbah, but a lot more solid than "Coolducter" in my opinion. Definitely on the deep side, but also quite pumpin'. I like! "Mr. Wasp" is tweaky in that Jay Denham/Black Nation kind of way, definitely would go well with that brand of Detroity techno. Really gets moving over the second half, very unique. All in all an extremely solid release from Dietrich and Taylor... Keep doing this kind of thing guys! Definitely your best work yet! [pezboy]
Z-7 Uni [Nu Futura, US] Florida apparently has some pockets of isolated techno militia, with djs like Shapeshifter and producers such as Duran and Penton and now Z-7. I listened to and played this bunches of times before looking at the little press release that came with it, and couldn't believe my eyes when i saw the "Sunshine State" was the origin of this. I would have guessed Brooklyn, Germany, or Belgium... The A side is the gold medal winner on this- bangin' warehouse analog techno, chock full 'o energy. Stobing machines saying "wow", tweaked out analog lines, a pounding (undistorted) 909, some chick that sounds like she keeps saying "Activated" (hey, you know that gets bonus points), and lots and lots of energy. B2 has interesting sounds- a humming robotic bee going about his business, with various sub-level activities noticeable in the background, and a cool filtered noise that sounds like wet cardboard being ripped. B1 is not as energetic as the other two... lots of play with industrial-tribal trash can beating along with the steady 4/4.[bliss]
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FREAKY CHAKRA Year 2000 [Astralwerks, US] Freaky's first solo release in over two years is, well, rather freaky. A prelude to his soon to be released LP, Black Light Fantasy. Four demented, deep house injected tech-house tunes. Interestingly moody, groovy and tweaky. [bliss]
GEARWHORE Passion EP [Astralwerks, US] I usually don't like West Coast techno or Astralwerks releases but when a friend of mine played this one for me I had to run down to my record shop and special order it. A very dj friendly, pumpy, high energy release. Forget the Harley Mix and head straight to the Bassland mix on the a side. Big and bassy and a good dose of 303 madness for all you acid freaks. Both the songs on the b side are keepers too. The via ouija mix has an eerie trance feel to it, with some tribal vocals thrown in. Usually vocals like this come off well, a little high on the cheese factor, but they're a nice touch here and don't distract from the rest of the song. The Dub mix is basically a live jam, and promoters listen up: it's some of the best live techhouse i've ever heard. I had the pleasure of seeing a gearwhore live PA, and it was live, a couple years back and it was one of the best I've ever heard (right up there with Barada). Please book this guy more often. [Marc Lee]
SOUNDSCAPE Dubplate Culture [Satellite Test Pressing] Ah, Speed garage, it's the new sound craze on the dance floors don't cha know? Unfortunately, this has caused a flood of some very very bad releases recently. Looking for speed garage records is like trying to find a needle in a big pile of crap. The speed garage mix on this (the 49 degrees South mix) is somewhere close to the top of the pile, but it's not a gem. It's got the prerequisite bass, and follows the speed garage formula (beat only intro, beat only outro, w/ 2 breaks, 2 builds in the song). This formula is a little tired, and add to that the fact that the drumline is virtually identical to the last release on satellite. But in its favor, it is kinda bouncy and does kinda make ya wanna shake yo booty. The original is much better tho. A pretty original jungle break and good vocal sample lead up to the first break, where a bad ass evil 303 line kicks in. After the second break some trancey, uplifting piano sounds come in. These too can be cheesy if not used right but they seem appropriate here. The builds and then deconstructs itself pretty nicely. [Marc Lee]
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