Artists: Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell Title: Geometriska Strukturer EP Label: Blueprint Cat. #: BP067 Format: Vinyl / Digital Release Date: 27 January 2023 Tracklist: A1. Cylindrar A2. Liksidig B1. Klot B2. Koner
Swedish duo Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell have built an impressive reputation since their production debut in 2000. From there Fridell and Johansson released music on a succession of classic and legendary labels including Audio Assault, ARMS and XXX Records. When Johansson decided to take a six-year break from electronic music, Mattias Fridell kept going. After reuniting, they released new material on the likes of Cari Lekebusch’s H. Productions and Ben Sims’ Symbolism. In 2022 they launched their Lømsk label which has seen them go from strength to strength.
Now they make their Blueprint debut with four new tracks of the tough and pulsating Techno they’ve become known for. Their ‘Geometriska Strukturer EP’ opens Blueprint’s 2023 schedule on 27 January.
Artist: Laurent Garnier Title: 33T.E.P.S.V. EP05 Label: Cod3 QR Cat. #: Cod3QR.Uncoded005 Format: Digital download – exclusive to Bleep Release Date: 16 December 2022 Tracklist: 1. Au Clair de ta Lune 2. Le Swing du Pouletto
The final EP in Laurent Garnier’s 5 x EP series is released 16 December and this one is exclusive to Bleep – https://bleep.com
In keeping with the label’s concept of codes, there is… *!!!!^^^^ SYSTEM FAILED!
Artist: Ben Sims & Mark Broom Title: Circular Motions EP Label: Hardgroove Cat. #: HARDGROOVEDIGI018 Format: Digital Release Date: 16th December 2022 Tracklist: 01 Mark Broom – Nothing To Do 02 Ben Sims – Unity 03 Mark Broom – W.W.W.W.W.W.W.WORK 04 Ben Sims – Snapshot ‘99 05 Ben Sims – Snapshot ‘99 (Dub)
The UK Heavyweights’ ‘Circular Motions’ EP features two new tracks from Broom and three from Sims’ vaults.
A master of the drummy groove, Broom opens the EP with ‘Nothing to Do’, a propulsive track that counterpoints its powerful drum track with blissed-out vocals and a solitary horn stab. Sims opens his account on ‘Circular Motion’ with an updated, pacy version of his 2013 limited-release vinyl-only track ‘Unity’, a churning and percussive slam shot through with snaking melodies.
Broom’s second cut, ‘W.W.W.W.W.W.W.Work’ throws delinquent rave stabs, and the titular stuttered vocal at yet another of his cascading, tribal rhythm tracks, providing yet another peak time winner. Closing out the ‘Circular Motions’ EP are two versions of ‘Snapshot 99’, a track originally started in the late 90s before languishing on a DAT and being revived and reworked by Sims this year. Centred around a light, looping riff that screams late-night ear-worm while trademark Sims’ filtered loops do the groove work alongside a ‘proper’ bassline, ‘Snapshot 99’ is a burst of energetic, heads down but distinctly fresh air.
Artist: Noha Title: Blue Desert EP Label: Panick Panick Cat. #: PP013 Format: Vinyl / Digital Release Date: 2nd December Tracklist: A – Blue Desert B – Sick (About it)
Noha drops the house two-tracker ‘Blue Desert’ on Panick Panick this December.
Born and raised in Rome and now based in Berlin, Noha is a painter and musician crafting delicate and expressive electronic music, founding the Panick Panick label in 2016. Returning to his imprint with the latest offering ‘Blue Desert EP’, the Berlin-based artist drops a densely packed 12” brimming with leftfield ideas whilst remaining dancefloor focussed.
Leading the A-side, the title track ‘Blue Desert’ combines lush pads and floaty keys with chunky drums and rolling low end for a sparkling cut that clocks in at just over 8 minutes. On the flip, ‘Sick (About it)’ sees Noha drawing for cut-up breaks, vocal slices, and gliding synths throughout.
Artist: ITZONE Title: The Great Way EP Label: dream dream Cat. #: dream0001 Release Date: Jan 14, 2023
Time is circular and now a new label under Drama Universal is born; dream dream comes with heart. We are ecstatic with the first EP from co-founder DJ ITZONE aka Datura Dilema, his The Great Way EP is inspired by the expansion of the cosmos. ITZONE brings you mature sound design, dropping heavy Techno and House sounds in a minimalistic light journey. Listen carefully and you’ll see that the colors are brighter in this one, delicious in Kick, and Bass ready to move you inside out.
Tessellate co-founders The Trip return for a four-track cosmic journey in the form of their ‘Pacific Vision’ EP
At the helm of London’s renowned label and party series Tessellate since its creation in 2013, co-founders Max van Dijk and Oli Hiam have been shaping their sound as DJs and selectors, curating and soundtracking stellar lineups alongside the likes of Ryan Elliott, Octo Octa, Evan Baggs, Chaos In The CBD, Shanti Celeste, Youandewan, The Ghost, Christian AB, Tama Sumo and Gene On Earth to name just a few. Following various studio explorations, the pair launched their collaborative guise, The Trip, in 2020 with their ‘Wet Your Whistle’ EP, with follow-up EPs via Nuances de Nuit and Fraise Records gaining the attention of Peach, Paramida, Avalon Emerson, Nicola Cruz, and Enzo Siragusa. Returning to home turf to close out the imprint’s 2022 schedule, December welcomes an exploration into cosmic spheres as the label bosses unveil their latest material. Inspired by their time over lockdown digging through their own record collections and Discogs online, taking cues from records of the past, the four-track ‘Pacific Vision’ EP draws from 90s progressive spheres and the golden era of tech house to showcase a modern take with carefully re-worked samples – delivering a selection of productions destined for big dancefloor moments.
Opener ‘Don’t Panic’ sets the pace as swirling leads guide a tunnelling acid-flecked bassline, crisp percussion, and rapturous stabs for a lively and dynamic workout, while ‘Free Your Mind’ ups the energy even further as the duo lay down resonant organ melodies, spacey textures and menacing low-ends for an immersive yet punchy late hours trip. On the flip, ‘Everyone Needs A Break’ is a masterclass in drum work as trippy atmospherics and hypnotic off-kilter electronics combine above rolling organic percussion grooves, before closing via the echoed vocals, sugary synths, and killer acid line found across ‘Stop & Go Station’.
Artist: Truncate Title: WRKTRX007 Remixer: Ben Sims, Manao & Elektor Label: WRKTRX Cat. #: WRKTRX007 Format: Digital Release Date: 9th December 2022 Tracklist: 01 Work Ya Ass 02 Work Ya Ass (Ben Sims Edit) 03 Work Ya Ass (Manao & Elektor Remix)
Truncate enlists Ben Sims and rising stars Manao & Elektor to remix his ‘Work Ya Ass’ track on his jackin’ WRKTRX imprint.
‘Got to work ya ass off to show you got flavour’ – these words ring true for the hard-working crew behind the seventh instalment on WKRTRX. In addition to the original by Truncate, ‘Work Ya Ass’ also hosts a powerful edit from legendary techno lynchpin Ben Sims, as well as an electro remix from two exciting new names in the scene, Manao and Elektor.
Truncate’s ‘Work Ya Ass’ establishes itself with robust drums and an earworm vocal sample, while swinging rhythmical synths shoot through the track throughout. Sims, no stranger to finding the funk in machines, breaks out the filters, stomping kick/clap combos and piercing stabs to create a raucous version while Venezuelan artists Manao and Elektor flip the track into a bass-driven electro weapon.
Launched to showcase funk-laced, jacking techno cuts, Truncate’s WRKTRX has released tracks by Lauren Flax, Gene Richards, Annika Wolfe and Avision since its inauguration in 2020.
Artist: Angioma Title: Unusual Suspect Label: Mind Medizin Cat. #: MDZN009 Format: Digital Release Date: 9th December 2022 Tracklist: 01 Unusual Suspect 02 Unusual Suspect (Kaiser Remix)
Free-roaming French techno talent Angioma lands on Lady Tazz’s Mind Medizin with a new single that comes remixed by the legendary Kaiser.
Angioma does it all from peak time and hypnotic techno to jacking house, all with his own signature exotic twist. He is currently Berlin-based and has released on Made of Concrete, but also co-runs with BLANKA the Room Trax label and Room Lab, contemporary local art and networking space. With increasingly high-profile sets in clubs like Egg London and Anomalie Berlin, Angioma is an ever more crucial part of the modern techno landscape.
The brilliant ‘Unusual Suspect’ is darkly seductive with its high-pressure techno rhythms and silky synth lines. Pulsing keys bring late-night hypnosis and the icy hi-hats draw you in further to this shadowy and tunneling groove. It’s a warm, Mills-inspired sound that is stylish and dynamic.
Based near Bari in the south of Italy, Gianluca Caiati aka Kaiser has been tearing up the techno scene for 15 years. His tunes on the likes of Planet Rhythm and sets around Europe have established him as a man with a powerful sound. His superb remix pairs things back but the pummeling, rubbery drums remain the focal point as whip-snapping snares lash about up top, incendiary hi-hat pressure grows and the sleek synths intensify the trip.
These are two enticing and contemporary techno classics from Angioma and Kaiser.
Watergate is still celebrating its 20 years anniversary with a dedicated release but seems to don’t waste its precious time, the release schedule is already filled with another EP signed by JAMIIE. Her ‘Unfold Voices EP’ is catching and spreading, featuring two great originals and three interesting remixes. The opener ‘Voices’ features that typical underground and cozy Watergate vibe, enhanced with a meody that recalls to a popular Levon Vincent anthem. Follows ‘Unfold Me’ that keeps the same line as the previous track but adds some intensity in the middle drop, where a consecutive sequence of piano, electric horn and string cherish the entire mood. DJEFF and Malandra Jr remix ‘Voices’, glueing the various original parts into two versions linear but introspective, finally Annett Gapstream offers a rebranded mix of ‘Unfold Voices’, extracting from the main theme a personal and idiosyncratic sound vision.
Artist: Christopher Ledger Title: Anticipation EP Label: Adam’s Bite Cat. #: ADAM007 Format: Vinyl & Digital Release Date: 2nd December 2022 Tracklist A1 Interchange A2 Swap Function B1 Anticipation B2 Without Warnin DX Interchange (Stripped Version) [Digital Exclusive]
Adam’s Bite taps up Italian DJ and producer Christopher Ledger for their seventh release as he delivers his ‘Anticipation’ EP.
With an encyclopaedic music knowledge of dance music’s hidden corners, Italian-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Christopher Ledger has steadily risen over the past five years. From his slick, reduced style favoured by intimate dancefloors across Europe to some of his more muscular and impactful material of late, Ledger’s material can be found on labels such as Sushitech, Meander, Amphia, Dial and Broquade, to name just a few. Drawing on that wealth of knowledge and studio talent, he now heads to Adam’s Bite for the very first time to uncover a selection of expertly crafted productions across his ‘Anticipation’ EP.
Carrying his Italian heritage on his sleeve, the EP showcase touches from Italy’s rich music scene and beyond, with opening track ‘Interchange’ fusing punchy drum work with trance-tinged synths drawing on influences from the glory days of the mid-nineties house scene. ‘Swap Function’ showcases Ledger’s modern approach to sound design and floor awareness as he builds a warping and cosmic journey balancing suspense and release, while title track ‘Anticipation’ delves into moody and murky territories as snaking grooves guide floating synths and glitchy vocal snippets. To close, B2 ‘Without Warning’ contrasts serene dubby textures with twisting bass patterns and tough kicks to head deep into the after-hours.
The digital package comes with a bonus offering as lead track ‘Interchange’ is stripped back to reveal a heady and impactful take guided by a killer bassline for those looking for a raw and driving take on proceedings.
Christopher Ledger ‘Anticipation’ EP drops via Adam’s Bite on 2nd December 2022.
