ConsortiumVol2_Artwork

Various  ‘Consortium Vol. 2’

Artist: Various
Title: Consortium Vol. 2
Label: Motech Records
Cat. #: MT140
Format: Digital Download / Streaming
Release Date: 18 December 2020
Tracklist:
01. Elyas – ‘Operator’
02. Rob StrobE – ‘Shifty’
03. Nicolson – ‘House Life’
04. Miles Ellis – ‘Jack The Beat’
05. Mikael Klasson – ‘Lonely Underground’
06. Petit Beurre – ‘Rooftop’
07. Jeran Portis – ‘Por La Noche’
08. George Cross – ‘On One’
09. Atomyard – ‘Antimatter’
10. Veronique Page – ‘The Moon & The Stars’

“Where were you in 2020?”, you sense will be a question that will remain a talking point for many generations to come. One lesson we have all learned is life goes on, exemplified by resilient Motech Records boss Franki Juncaj aka DJ 3000, who once again plays A&R supremo in handpicking the track list for Motech’s end of year compilation, ‘Consortium Vol. 2’ which doubles up as a critics choice of the best unheard Detroit techno of tomorrow.

As we’ve come to expect from the veteran Motech boss, artist and tastemaker, the compilation embraces all facets of Detroit techno expressed through artists both familiar and new to the scene. “The concept was to find new artists, not only because they’re fresh but because they’re making hot, timeless tracks”.

The complication kicks off in frenetic style with the energetic track, ‘Operator’ from French techno artist Elyas. Motech regulars Mikael Klasson and Veronique Page make triumphant re-appearances on the label after extended absences. Veronique Page creates a slick intelligent minimal vibe on the dreamy track ‘The Moon and the Stars’, while Klasson’s track ‘Lonely Underground’ burns bright in the darkness of dystopia. Another familiar Motech artist is Austrian duo Petit Beurre who return to drop their track ‘Rooftop’, doing what they do best by creating wavy, utopian Detroit techno. Meanwhile, Motech veteran Jeran Portis also features with the driving groove of ‘Por La Noche’. Add Germany’s Robert Hauck aka Rob StrobE to deliver a textural techno stomper with the brilliant track ‘Shifty’. The UK is represented in the shape of artist Nicholson, after an impressive Motech debut last year. He returns with this ‘90s house influenced banger, ‘House Life’, alongside another UK artist who makes his debut on the label, George Cross, with the delightfully twisted chords of ‘On One’. Hailing from closer to home is Miami based artist Atomyard, with ‘Antimatter’. Atomyard delivers a lusty techno track with a powerful bassline and a strong energetic pulse. Finally US based artist Miles Ellis debuts with ‘Jack the Beat’, a track that echoes the classic underground rave sounds of the mid ‘90s. Ellis adds, “I want to harness the essence of the rave days without phones, the days with straight raw music with soul and heart, the days with getting down and not giving a f**k with your friends and enjoying the night like it was your last!”

Now isn’t that everything we ever wanted from the Detroit techno Industry? Motech Records provides it here in abundance. All we need now are the dance floors… 2021 we can’t wait.

‘Consortium Vol. 2’ is available on Motech via all digital and streaming platforms from 18 December.

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Various ‘Bar 25 Music: Selektion 2020’

Artist: Various
Title: Bar 25 Music: Selektion 2020
Label: Bar 25 Music
Release date: December 11th 2020
Cat. No: BAR25-135
Format: Digital
Tracklist:
1. Niconé, Enda Gallery – People in the City (Get Your Yoga Together Mix)
2. Clarian – Fools Rush In (Sam Shure Remix)
3. Juanma Sanchez, Ruben Zurita – Selkirk Grace (Original Mix)
4. Martin Waslewski – Dimensionen (Original Mix)
5. Rafael Cerato – Till We Fall (Original Mix)
6 Dachshund – Diatomea (Original Mix)
7. Amadori – Almost There (Original Mix)
8. Pillowtalk, Gustavo Lobo – Gonna Be With You (Kellerkind Remix)
9. Aiwaska – Memorial (Original Mix)
10. Rapossa – Touch the Skin (Original Mix)
11. Niko Schwind, Lazarusman – Believe (Original Mix)
12. Mike Spirit – You Love The Game (Original Mix)
13. Pattern Drama – No Way (Original Mix)
14. German Brigante, Thomas Gandey – You´ll never Regret (Original Mix)
15. Marco Tegui – Puntos Cardinales (Original Mix)
16. Phonique, Fairplay – Moon Moods (Original Mix)
17. Bondi, Roth – To Forget You (T.M.A Remix)
18. Benno Blome, Martin Eyerer, Kollmorgen – So We Can Fly (Dole & Kom Remix)
19. Kiki, Shayde – Iwo (Original Mix)
20. Miyagi, Allies For Everyone – A Peace (Facundo Mohrr, Valdovinos Remix)
21. David Hasert & Niconé Careless Love (Original Mix)
22. Danny Faber – Hampi (Original Mix)
23. Death on the Balcony – Alignment (Original Mix)
24. Lee Jones – Wiedersehen (Original Mix)
25. Den Ishu – Cosmic Love (Original Mix)

Bar 25 Music presents their favourite tracks from the 2020 catalogue with this compilation, showing fresh faces and established artists, who during the years proposed interesting and diverse music styles, that range from deep house to tech house, with a contemporary approach to the sounds and motifs.

More info:
https://soundcloud.com/bar25

PACKSHOT East End Dubs - Bec's Groove - Up The Stuss

East End Dubs ‘Bec’s Groove’

Artist: East End Dubs
Title: Bec’s Groove
Remixer: Chris Stussy
Label: Up The Stuss
Cat. #: UTS02
Format: Vinyl / Digital
Release Date: 11th December 2020
Tracklist
1. Holo
2. Bec’s Groove
3. Jazzed In Time
4. Jazzed In Time (Chris Stussy Remix)

East End Dubs delivers the second release on Chris Stussy’s newly minted Up The Stuss imprint, ‘Becs Groove’, accompanied by the label founder on remix duties.

A leading name within the UK’s house and minimal scene, London’s finest East End Dubs has grown to become one of house music’s most prolific and consistent producers. Heading up his own labels Eastenderz, Social and the self- titled East End Dubs, with all three serving as go-to outlets for essential peak-time cuts, hazy afterhours productions and crisp DJ tools, whilst also releasing material via global powerhouses such as Hot Creations and FUSE, December now sees the bubbling talent head to Chris Stussy’s newly launched Up The Stuss imprint to deliver the label’s sophomore release ‘Bec’s Groove’ – backed by a remix from the label founder himself.

Opening cut ‘Holo’ welcomes the Londoner’s distinct, signature sonics as he goes to work combining chunky, rubbery bass grooves with slinking percussion and wavering synth melodies, whilst title cut ‘Bec’s Groove’ switches up proceedings as rich chords and snappy drums combine effortlessly with infectious vocals to offer up a sun- soaked, shuffling house number. Next up, ‘Jazzed In Time’ utilises playful bass licks and off-kilter electronics warp around a hypnotic core groove and up the energy levels, before welcoming Chris Stussy’s own interpretation of the track as he combines shimmering synths, fuzzy atmospherics, and resonant chords to close proceedings in style.

 

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AVNU (UK) ‘Ultraviolet’

Artist: AVNU (UK)
Title: Ultraviolet
Label: Ellum Audio
Cat. #: ELL064
Release Date: 4th December 2020
Tracklist:
1) Ultraviolet
2) Infrared

Maceo Plex’s Ellum Audio rounds out the year with a fantastic two tracker from Scotland based producer AVNU (UK).

AVNU (UK) is based on the East Coast of Scotland and was born Adrian Hossain. He has been immersed in music for 20 years, equally inspired by rock, soul and blues as he is disco, electro, techno, trance and rave. He had a busy 2020 releasing waves of new music and now lands on Ellum Audio with some brilliantly inventive new sounds and styles.

Opener ‘Ultraviolet’ is an excellently exuberant track with a party atmosphere thanks to the bristling drums and funky bass riffs. Layered over the top are epic melodic chords whilst some subtle vocal adds plenty of soul. Disco, techno and funk all collide in thrilling new ways on this most dynamic and original of tracks.

Then comes the brilliantly atmospheric ‘Infrared’, a darker, more pounding and heads down track. This is rolling techno funk run through with skewed synths that twist and contort endlessly while big hi hats and booming kicks power on into dark corners of the dancefloor. An epic breakdown builds further tension before the whole thing explodes to life once more.

This is a fine end to the year from Ellum Audio and a great statement from AVNU (UK).

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Watergate 27 EP #2

Artist: Various
Title: Watergate 27 EP #2
Label: Watergate
Cat: WGVinyl078
Format: Vinyl, digital
Release Date: November 30th 2020
Tracklist:
01. Super Flu – Effreticon
02. Pablo Fierro – Reincarnation
03. Kerri Chandler – Think of Something (Floyd Lavine Remix)
04. Manoo – De’s Lullaby
05. FNX Omar – Minuit
06. Lemon & Herb – iFuh
07. AMEME – Bangala

Buy link: https://smarturl.it/WGVinyl078

Watergate publishes the second sampler coming from the last episode of the label’s mix series, which has been selected and mixed by Hyenah. This release features another set of outstanding productions with a particular and arousing vibe, ensembling as its best the typical Watergate style.

More info:
https://soundcloud.com/watergaterecords

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Theiz ‘Moving Forward Into The Past EP’

Artist: Theiz
Title: Moving Forward Into The Past EP
Label: EPMmusic
Cat. #: EPM87
Format: Digital Download / Streaming
Release Date: 11 December 2020
Tracklist:
1. Moving Forward Into The Past
2. Motor City Bliss
3. The Beauty Of Machines
4. Motor City Bliss (Carl Finlow Remix)

EPMmusic rounds off 2020 by welcoming Theiz to the label with an EP that draws on elements of techno, electronica and electro before being rounded off by a stunning electro remix from Carl Finlow.

Theiz, real name Mathijs Schippers may be a new name to many but the Dutch born and now Belgium based producer is some 29 years deep in the scene. Having released on labels such as Eevolute (with East Island), Techno-Tourist and Ear-land Recordings in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Mathijs began producing again in 2015 with no pressure to release – simply just for the sake of making new music. His activity as a music journalist brought him back into contact with the music industry and now freshly motivated, he returns after a 15-year break.

Drawing on influences from Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, FSOL, Plastikman, Derrick May and even Phillip Glass, Theiz’s ‘Moving Forward Into The Past’ refers to the period of time the tracks were written in. Moving back to the house his wife grew up in was, for them, a step forward into a new future, whilst simultaneously surrounded by childhood memories.

’Beauty of Machines’ is built around a recording Mathijs made with his phone of an industrial oil pump at work that sounded like a “minimal techno groove”. ‘Motor City Bliss’ expresses his love of the Detroit Sound – warm grooves, subtle melodies and pumping beats whilst the title track, ‘Moving Forward Into The Past’, has a kind of naivety to it, peppered with melancholic melodies and an ungainly beat and thus, capturing the emotions of the title perfectly.

The EP is finally complemented by Carl Finlow’s “Kraftwerk on steroids” electro remix of ‘Motor City Bliss’.

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Keith Carnal ‘SEC004’

Artist: Keith Carnal
Title: SEC004
Label: SEC NDº
Cat. #: SEC004
Format: Vinyl + Digital
Release Date: 27th November 2020
Tracklist
1. Hope
2. Endless
3. Daily Route
4. Sadly Mistaken

Amsterdam’s techno talent Keith Carnal returns to his own Second Degree with a fresh four tracker.

Keith Carnal’s techno has a signature sound that draws on rich melodies and locked-in groove – it is made for dancing but comes with an ominous feeling of melancholy that makes a lasting impact.  He also layers in percussion that immerses his audience ever deep and as well as DJing around the globe has also released on Affin LTD, Arts and his very own Second Degree imprint.

He kicks off his latest powerful missive with the driving, rock solid kicks of ‘Hope’, a dark and alluring track where the heavenly synths bring the only light to the groove. ‘Endless’ is a peak-time cut that will have you riding on the edge of your seat thanks to its high speed arps and icy hi hats, all racing along over more firmly rooted kick drums.

Carnal’s cultured studio craftsmanship is laid bare once more on the pounding, stripped back yet compelling ‘Daily Route’ which is linear techno with a soulful synth sound that takes you well into the future on a mysterious vibe. Closer ‘Sadly Mistaken’ has taught, pining kick drums and spooky howling synth sounds that are brilliantly unsettling as you march onwards.

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Pig&Dan & Victor Ruiz ‘Consciousness EP’

Artist: Pig&Dan & Victor Ruiz
Title: Consciousness EP
Cat #: DC234
Label: Drumcode
Release Date: 23 November, 2020
Tracklist:
1. Consciousness
2. Music Takes You
3. Paradise Lost

Drumcode heavyweights Pig&Dan and Victor Ruiz link for their maiden collaborative EP.

The project begun in the first quarter of the year when the artists were still touring and was later completed during a series of productive sessions after lockdown – Pig&Dan members Dan Duncan and Igor Tchkotoua experiencing a creative synergy with close friend Victor Ruiz that injected some lightness into an otherwise challenging time for the trio of producers.

‘Consciousness’ is driven by a catch low-end riff that’s powerful and funky in equal measures and is a particular favourite of Adam Beyer’s, highlighting the boss’ Drumcode Indoors II and Tomorrowland’s United Through Music stream. ‘Music Takes You’ is a delicious low-end roller driven by a punchy synth workout that drops down into a captivating vocal break made for big moments. ‘Paradise Lost’ is a widescreen melodic gem, comprised of a laser-kissed synth hook, crisp percussion and a clever low-end chord progression, giving it a classy timeless appeal.

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Reset Robot ‘Cosmic String EP’

Artist: Reset Robot
Title: Cosmic String EP
Label: Truesoul
Cat. #: TRUE12133
Release Date: 23 November, 2020
Format: Digital
Tracklist:
1. Opto
2. Cosmic String
3. Romeo

Truesoul’s most capped contributor, Reset Robot, delivers another supreme EP.

Dave Robertson (aka Reset Robot) is a treasured label asset, his association with Adam Beyer stretching back a decade. Over the years he’s gifted the imprint 10 EPs and an album ‘Let Your Soul Outside’ in 2014, his talent and crisp sound signature shining through.

For his twelfth Truesoul offering, ‘Cosmic String’, he lays down a trio of winners. ‘Opto’ is industrial and trippy in equal measures, managing to avoid any possible pigeon-hole, while crying out to be utilised in a variety of musical scenarios. The title track is true to its name; organic bass tones and a soft melodic core spiral into otherworldly realms thanks to a tweaked-out string section that amplifies the track’s impact. ‘Romeo’ is a low-end modular exploration, which still embodies an innate

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Agents Of Time ‘Midnight Drive In Santiago EP’

Artist: Agents Of Time
Title: Midnight Drive In Santiago EP
Label: Afterlife Recordings
Cat. #: AL045
Release Date: 27-11-2020

The duo return with four enchanting cuts.

Agents Of Time are back on Afterlife with the Midnight Drive In Santiago EP, following their debut Forest Of Lies in 2018. Known for their distinct, synth-driven take on electronic music, the duo showcase their production prowess with four tracks that demonstrate their ability to tap into your emotional centre with varying styles. ‘Santiago’ is the melodramatic opener with its mesmerising melodic riff and bright layered synth work. ‘Midnight Drive’ takes us for a meandering moonlit spin in a shiny black Chevrolet Corvette. ‘Chain Reaction’ utilises an insistent rhythm and emotive pads to hypnotise you and draw your emotions to the surface. Finally, ‘Out Of Format’ invites us to explore the dark, mysterious corners of the universe as we embark on a whimsical cosmic journey beyond the stars.

Out on 12″ vinyl and digital on November 27th, 2020.