Artist: Eric Louis Title: Adventures Part 2 Label: Devilish Affair Cat. #: da002 Format: Digital Release Date: February 10th, 2023 Tracklist: 1. Drama 2. Cafe Dubs Part 1 3. Floating Away 4. School Yard 5. Scatter 6. Victory
Eric Louis jams in ‘Adventures Part 2’ dropping a collection of six heavy influenced dub techno originals. DJ and producer based in New Jersey (US) Eric shows off again his devotion for this neverending and timeless style, going deeper and intense with catchy chord lines and intriguing drum loops. His less is more approach to the sounds and the large usage of parallel effects in the synths make the whole EP distinctive and noteworthy.
Artist: aus Title: Until Then / それまで Label: all my thoughts Cat. #: AMTFLAU01 Format: Digital, vinyl (10″) Release Date: January 2023 Tracklist: until then / それまで until then / それまで (Seb Wildblood Remix)
Yasuhiko Fukuzono a.k.a. ‘aus’ will host on his imprint Flau ‘Until Then / それまで’: that’s a strong emotional sound concept melt into an organic house composition. The variance and eclecticism of this tune makes it very appreciable and suited for these contemporary times. Fortunately this isn’t a single track but it will be pressed on vinyl too, in fact on the flip we can found a remix made by Seb Wildblood who pitches up the tempo and readjust the original vibe into a progressive house and dancefloor inspired theme.
The brand new label project Curated. will deliver in late January its third release signed by Arkady Antsyrev, who recently appeared on Steve Bug’s Sublease Music with the three tracker ‘Know That EP’. His forthcoming ‘Unicorn EP’ features two juicy and dancefloor infected originals and two delicious remixes made by Frink and Calou. The title track and ‘Postman’ keep boosting the intensity in the playback, the round drum loops and the tiny synth chords make a peculiar and sensational vibe. Calou slows down the energy peaks of ‘Unicorn’ adding some deep house sparkling motifs, while Frink interprets ‘Postman’ adding a touch of mentalism which makes the main motif fluffy and delicate.
UMEK closes 2022 with what could be his biggest release of the year, as he returns to his 1605 record label with a new remix of a techno classic by Quadrophonia. The release also features a new Dark Dub version by the original artists.
Quadrophonia is a duo consisting of Olivier Abbeloos and Lucien Foort who started releasing electronic music in the early ’90s and their 1991 self-titled track “Quadrophonia” first got UMEK into techno.
2023 is the 30th anniversary of UMEK’s career in music and to mark the occasion he has remixed Quadrophonia’s Quadrophonia to commemorate where it all began for him.
During his career, UMEK has become one of techno’s most iconic artists and his legacy has inspired future generations of talent. Not only has he dropped tracks on record labels ranging from Reinier Zonneveld’s Filth On Acid to Carl Cox’s Intec, but he has also played headline DJ sets at some of the world’s biggest events.
The original version of Quadrophonia has dramatic synth chords and a heavy breakbeat overlaid with hip hop style lyrics that are one of the track’s defining elements. UMEK’s remix revamps the track for a modern era with a new four-to-the-floor kick pattern being one of the main changes.
Creating a whole new backing track, UMEK’s version has fast-paced percussion and snippets of the original’s vocal as it leads towards the main breakdown section, which introduces the original’s breakbeat and chords.
Lifting the energy when the kick slams back in, the remix continues to tease elements of the original as it unfolds with building momentum and explosive energy.
Second on the release is the Dark Dub remix by Quadrophonia and it’s their first remix in over 25 years. They have used snippets of their vocal and added a frenzied lead synth and a new bassline that’s fused with teased sections of the original. They also switch to a four-to-the-floor kick pattern with this new version that revitalises their original.
Exetra Records is a peak-time techno record label and its new release is a collaboration between its owners, MOTVS and IMPULSE FACTORY.
MOTVS his high-paced style has also been released on other imprints such as Cosmic Boys’ Legend, Spartaque’s Codex and T78’s Autektone. He is an Italian artist based in Rome and this is his third EP working with Impulse Factory.
IMPULSE FACTORY and MOTVS have become regular production partners that have made Exetra Records a regular outlet for their music. Impulse Factory has been making electronic music since the ’90s, and has a hardcore influence behind his pounding techno style.
The solo original on the release is a track titled “Rock” which is built around an acid arpeggio line and thundering kick drum. Its twisted melody line is joined by a trippy vocal sample to deliver a frantic energy that’s perfect for setting the dance floor alight.
Artist: Phara Title: Try Stress Relief Techniques Label: Phaaar Cat. #: PH002 Format: Digital, vinyl Release Date: 2022 Tracklist: 1. Flux 2. The Fleshy Part Of The Thigh 3. In Dubio 4. Float
Phara seems on full strength, doing serious dj sets and achieving some important appearances on labels such as Planet Rhythm, Soma, Sk_Eleven and many more. 2022 is going to finish but this young dj and producer already set for the beginning of 2023 the publication of ‘Try Stress Relief Techniques’, a self released vinyl/digital EP. The four tracks absorbs a dancefloor oriented atmosphere into a fresh and vivacious techno sound. The whole ensemble is convincing and each production reveal uncommon captivating features.
Artist: Various Title: 15 Years – Part One / Part Two Label: Skryptöm Cat. #: skrpt074p1 / skrpt074p2 Format: Digital Release Date: December 2nd 2022 (Part One), December 16th 2022 (Part Two) Tracklist: (Part one) 1 – KUSS & Zadig – Into The Bright Shadow 2 – Wlderz & Umwelt – Crepuscule Of Metropolis 3 – BXTR & Ferdinger – The Mole 4 – Truant.J & Electric Rescue – It Gets Better From Here 5 – Shekon & Fabrizio Rat – Spleen (Part two) 1 – Moteka & Ø [Phase] – Anarchic Calisthenics 2 – Maxime Dangles & Voiski – Composite 3 – Paul Nazca & Dj Hell – Transpose 4 – Dyspal & Brian Sanhaji – Duality 5 – Electric Rescue & Matho – Burned Lands
Skryptöm is the label project born from the idea of Antoine Husson a.k.a. Electric Rescue, who developed it very well year after year, carrying into the label’s catalogue many underground and contemporary influences which affect the large genre of techno music. After 15 years of serious activity in the scene the Skryptöm collective celebrates this particular anniversary with a set of four EPs, to be released in a span of several weeks. The whole sound reflects the Skryptöm’s identity and at the same time it launches it into the future.
Yulia Niko join the forces with Erez for the composition of the single ‘I’m Everything’ to be out tomorrow on the great Get Physical. This is song is worth of attention, especially in this digital era when too many tracks gets constantly released throught the web. Aside the tech and tribal influences the vocals make the main role all over the playback, routing the rhythm and the mood into a dense mentalism.
Artist: Future Legend Title: Under The System Label: Hummingbird by BPZ Cat. #: HUMMD007 Format: Digital Release Date: January 13th 2023 01. Daily 02. Djembe Wave Back 03. Future Fake 04. Midnight Expresso 05. Absolute Geheimnisse 06. I Can Make It Better For You 07. Station H (Feat. Micol) 08. Bell Jar Games
Hummingbird by BPZ is a deep and techy label with an eclectic sound that focuses on forward-thinking music and its latest release is an album from Future Legend aka Andres Bucci.
Appropriately named, Future Legend is an emerging talent whose eclectic style ranges from deep techno to experimental electronica, plus everything in between.
Although it’s a relatively new alias, Future Legend is actually the new moniker of established artist Andres Bucci who has previously released music on the likes of Dinky’s Horizontal, Mike Shannon’s Cynosure Recordings, Pier Bucci’s Maruca, and collaborated on an album with Kate Simko that was released by Traum Music.
Whether it’s trippy synths or chunky breakbeats, Future Legend’s focus is always on the finer details and this album expresses the full range of his sound.
Future Legend’s output has been exclusive to Hummingbird by BPZ and this eight-track release is a storytelling work of art that progresses from the ambient intro toward a dance-floor friendly ending.
“Daily” opens the release with its dreamy melodies and downtempo beats before the oriental melodies of “Djembe Wave Back”. “Future Fake” brings a dystopian vibe with moody synths and ominous atmosphere.
Continuing to gradually lift the energy, “Midnight Expresso” is an acid track with an eerie melody that continues the dystopian vibe from the previous cut.
“Absolute Geheimnisse” gets stripped back and wonky with its eerie pads and wispy percussion which creates a spine-tingling vibe that’s full of suspense. “I Can Make It Better For You” is a sci-fi influenced cut that sounds like it could have been in the soundtrack from Blade Runner with its chunky percussion and sweeping pads.
“Station H” continues the breakbeat vibe with a lo-fi aesthetic underpinned by a heavy bassline and overlaid by emotive, female vocals that add a captivating focal point.
“Bell Jar Games” closes the release with an intricate groove that blends shuffling rhythms with a throbbing bassline, trippy vocals and a medley of melodies add to the building intensity.
Artist: SN-EB Title: Reflection Label: We Are Existence Cat. #: EXE004 Format: Digital Release Date: December 9th 2022 Tracklist: 01. Reflection 02. Acid November
Danny Fontana and Annie Hill’s peak time techno record label We Are Existence is back with a new EP by Italian duo SN-EB.
SN-EB are from Padova where they are well-known as a leading force within the city’s techno scene. Playing regularly at many of the region’s best festivals and events, they have enraptured dance floors with their hard-hitting style.
Also skilled producers, SN-EB have been releasing tracks since the start of 2020 and already built up a back catalogue including releases on the likes of Syncopate, Techno Mood and Botanica.
“Reflection” opens the release with its thundering kick drum and acid stabs, which are layered with thrashing percussion rhythms to create a high-octane groove. Dark and intense, the eerie synths build tension as the namesake vocal adds to the captivating suspense.
“Acid November” has a rumbling bassline with acid tones that combine with dramatic synth stabs that have just a hint of euphoria. Leading to a spine-tingling breakdown, the track’s creepy vocal adds to its frantic energy as it unleashes hell upon the dance floor.
