Much may have changed over a two-decade period, but Drumcode's commitment to releasing the scene's most cutting-edge and refined techno remains resolute. 2017 has already seen releases from Adam Beyer Vs Pig&Dan, Alan Fitzpatrick, Ilario Alicante, Julian Jeweil, as well as a debut album from Layton Giordani. The label continues push forwards; bringing fail-safe, club-ready music to the techno community.
Perennial pushers of the techno envelope, Dense & Pika are renowned for their standout studio output that seems to constantly conjure up a particularly unique take on their distinct sound, D&P have rather outdone themselves in 2017.
Kicking off the year with a selection of back catalogue remixes from the likes of Danny Daze, Scuba, Slam and Yotam Avni that illustrated the high esteem in which D&P are held by their peers right across the spectrum; From heritage acts to current headliners and cutting edge talent, the duo have gone on to drop bomb after bomb after bomb.
Their universally lauded remix of Tiga's 'Louder Than A Bomb' was the first of a run of chart topping cuts; With a remix of ME & her's 'Wild Rage' on Jamie Jones' Hottrax imprint and their own 'Casino' single both challenging the norm of what techno sounds like in the here and now.
Cooked up with a more melodic vibe and fusing elements of house and techno, Dense & Pika's latest outing on Drumcode offers something different compared to their previous work.
There is still that vintage feel to each of the tracks with analogue sounds and arrangements born and developed from experimental studio jams. Indeed, 'Suki' heavily utilizes the distinct harmonic tones of the Dave Smith Prophet 8 keyboard. While 'Little Sun' - A staple of D&P performances over the last three months - delivers a more classic Drumcode sound. 'Lanky' closes out the release with an infectious slab of wonderfully wonked-out raw funk.
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Eight releases in, Leonidas & Hobbes have honed a mutual love of soundtracks, disco, jazz, house, techno, acid, psychedelic, African and dub sounds.
Web Of Intrigue is one part tribute to lost 70s soundtracks, when music was created on the finest analogue hardware, featuring full bands, session players and lush orchestrations, one part tribute to 70s disco gods Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic) and one part mid-tempo but nonetheless cosmic house. The three parts fuse to form an instrumental track sounding as fresh as a whole meadow of daisies in 2017 and one that's been going down extremely well with international DJs who have road-tested the material.
Heavy Weather flips the script for a deeper workout in a 3/4 time signature - more of a cosmic waltz. Taking its main cue from 70s jazz fusion heroes Weather Report and The Doors' Ray Manzarek, it incorporates rich African percussion, spaced-out flourishes exhibiting the duo's love for the dubs of Lee Perry, King Tubby et al, and a good old fashioned arpeggio of an acid line - definitely a more esoteric number, all told.
The 'Dawn' and 'Acid Rain' mixes push different buttons for the heads, as suits the mood. It all adds up to a very Balearic confection, fitting snugly in with the burgeoning revival for this somewhat ineffable sound - a trend that seems to be getting stronger/bigger every year, popping up every time the sun gets his hat on and we all remember how to party like the lucky residents of that infamous White Isle....
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London/Edinburgh analogue electronic duo Leonidas & Hobbes released debut EP "Machines, Tapes & Electronic Setups" via the Hobbes Music label back in May 2013, picking up plaudits and support from the likes of Resident Advisor, Mixmag, Erol Alkan, Ashley Beedle, Alan Braxe, Shadow Child, Jimpster, Nick Warren, M.A.N.D.Y., Leftside Wobble, Mr G, Auntie Flo, Sasha, John Digweed and many more... The duo were consequently commissioned to remix the Pet Shop Boys.
Second EP "Mo' Machines" came out on the label in April 2014 and received equally high praise, with i-D Magazine inviting the duo to record a DJ mix which has to date chalked up a whole lot of love on Soundcloud.
Leonidas has released two other collaborative EPs with London-based Japanese DJ/producer Kay Suzuki via his Round In Motion imprint, equally winning fans worldwide, with a track now forthcoming on new label YAM Records' You And Music Volume 1 EP plus much more in the pipeline for 2017. Leonidas also has his own lovetoparty label, releasing edits of much-loved disco tunes on limited edition 12" vinyl format and free download. Previously, Leonidas made a name for throwing word-of-mouth parties around east London on his audiophile 'lovetoparty' sound system (providing some of the inspiration for much-admired late-night watering hole Brilliant Corners).
Equally, Hobbes ran the widely acclaimed Trouble nights for ten years in Edinburgh/Scotland, working with the great and the good from across the soul/jazz/dance spectrum since '02, and championed up-and-coming live talent via his Limbo 'gig-in-a-club' nights at The Voodoo Rooms for nine years since '07. Hobbes has toured his DJing style to the various corners of the dancing planet, including gigs in the Far East, much of Europe and across the UK. The Hobbes Music label has otherwise featured artists as diverse as Auntie Flo, JD Twitch (Optimo), Neil Landstrumm, Craig Smith (6th Borough Project), Ali Renault, iO Sounds, Joe Howe, Debukas, Fudge Fingas, Marco Bernardi, Dimitri Veimar, Mick Wills and Nightwave, with further support from Ben UFO, Justin Robertson, Motor City Drum Ensemble, KiNK, The Revenge, T.E.E.D, Kiki, Groove Armada, Maceo Plex, OOFT!, Domenic Capello (Sub Club), XDB, Ben Mono, Masa Sutela, Bawrut/Scuola Furano, Numbers, John Heckle and many more...
HOUSEWAX is happy to welcome back Sakro! This time he teamed up with his friend Miguel Puente.
Nearly one year after his "Lemonade EP" the duo presents 3 outstanding club tracks - right on time for the summer season.
Sakro's releases are played by nearly all good Dj's around the globe. The last important push came early 2017 after his release
on Raum Musik #100 which is already noted as one Resident Advisor's best records of the year!
Drumcode continues its commitment to releasing the scene's most cutting-edge techno. With releases this year already from Adam Beyer, Pig&Dan, Alan Fitzpatrick, Dense & Pika and Julian Jeweil, this July see's the return of Enrico Sangiuliano with 'Astral Projection'.
After his remix of Moby's of 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad' back in November last year, Enrico sought creative inspiration from his travels, transcending that into his productions and long studio sessions during the winter months. The result brings a mind and body melting release from the Italian producer.
The title track 'Astral Projection' is a captivating, big room techno masterpiece. Deep reverberations punch alongside a sinisterly crisp percussive drive. Launching into a groove laden synth modulation of low end textures, it breaks down into an ethereal amalgamation of pads and synths before the vocal launches, taking this track to another level.
'Blooming Era' has destructive dancefloor intent. There is no holding back with the low end synth modulation which Enrico has mastered to perfection. A tightly woven percussive flare moulds flawlessly with the rolling oscillations of the beast of this track.
If you have seen label head honcho Adam Beyer playing anywhere on the globe in the last 5 months, this has been a peak time favourite. Road-tested to the max, and with much success.
Our next release subtil009 is coming from Andrei Catalin Bumbu alias HANSEL
He is also part of the new generation of Dj's and producers from Romania. The 3 Track Combination Sounds good for the Dancefloor with one long a side and 2 tracks back on the
b side!
This record will keep any point of the night!
We are happy to get this Guy to our subtil family and to our roster.
Snuff Trax is thrilled to announce that Andrew Soul is back with his big love for house music on this new record. The - Wide Range Of Experiences EP' features four tracks full of irresistible grooves, driving beats and sweet melodies. You can even catch up with Klaudia bringing fantastic and emotional vocals on the opening track - Strange Feelings'. Enjoy the music!
As much as, in modern days, it has become increasingly difficult to pin things down to a specific genre this release brings very defined genres but also a refreshing feature, a constant change of energy in one single track, and most importantly, it all comes with this modern feel to it which indicates it is the new generation rising making justice to what Ultrastretch stands for, surfacing fresh and new talents. Signed by Austrian duo Foehn & Jerome.
The A side is of the EP consists of the genius idea that it is a relatively simple track, however, with the feel that so much is happening, the type when you listen to a loop but one you can listen to forever and not get tired of it, always the best sign. A rolling and constant bassline makes it into a super fat and rounded dancefloor groover, while on top you have these fragments of chopped up vocal samples in and out creating a sense of confusion, a mind drilling element is then complemented by very loose and fine hihats floating around.
On the B side starts with quirky minimal track with a galloping kick throughout, when the open hihats slam in with a vocal it quickly develops into a very happy and playful housy vibe and just when you are riding, the clap slams in now on a tighter hat sequence followed by the break and rebuilding, when it comes back however it adds another element changing the energy yet again, through introducing a synthline. The quirky frog sounding noises throughout certainly makes it a super witty track overall.
Modularz welcomes back Spanish producer Kessell who has released on Modularz in the past with his joint project Exium. We are huge fans of what he does and support his take on techno. Straight up tracks for mixing with elements of tribal drum rhythms and analog synth based sequences. Don't sleep on this rhythmic gem!
A year after his last outing on the label, Metamethod is back with a second EP for Nightime Drama. The man born Simon Haynes is a veteran of the scene who has worked under many different aliases and is now back at the techno frontline, creating the same sort of powerful grooves that made him so essential back in the 90s.
'Exoshift' opens things up with a lurching, low sung beat that rocks back and forth as frazzled synths and rusty frequencies skate about up top. It's body music that really makes a mark while 'Autofac' then slips into more of a forward moving groove with prickly percussion and woodpecker hits all driving along a bleak techno landscape. Last of all, 'SuperLifter' marries bulky, broken sounding drums with celestial pads that glow white amongst the murk and greyness of the rest for he track. It is atmospheric, grainy techno for serious heads only.
Footwork label boss Jay Lumen is back on board with two massive Techno bangers."Warehouse Trip" is a rolling peak time ride with some nice old school elements.You can hear special dusty stabs in the break to add the right balance for the track."Search" is a chord oriented anthem with great bass synth sprays on a fat kick and bass line.It has a nice contrast and leads you to the dance floor step by step.
D-Floor is ready to come back on vinyl with the new EP by NiCe7.
From the title track 'Running man', with catchy vocal hook, to the
more emotional 'Red on sand', this release marks a new series from the talented italian duo. Analog synths, house grooves and old samples working together in both mixes.
- A1: Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
- A2: Brian Eno - Deep Blue Day
- A3: Primal Scream - Trainspotting
- B1: Sleeper - Atomic
- B2: New Order - Temptation
- B3: Iggy Pop - Nightclubbing
- C1: Blur - Sing
- C2: Lou Reed - Perfect Day
- C3: Pulp - Mile End
- C4: Bedrock - For What You Dream Of (Feat. Kyo) (Full On Renaissance Mix)
- D1: Elastica - 2:1
- D2: Leftfield - A Final Hit
- D3: Underworld - Born Slippy (Nuxx)
- D4: Damon Albarn - Closet Romantic
Based on the Irvine Welsh novel of the same name, the film version of 'Trainspotting' directed by Danny Boyle became a cult sensation. Focused on the heroin subculture of Edinburgh in the 1980s, the film is occupied with surrealism, black comedy and features a great soundtrack. This album includes tracks from Iggy Pop, New Order, Blur, Underworld and many more.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic drama, the original soundtrack is being reissued on CD and vinyl. Having been out of print for a long time, the 180g vinyl features replica original artwork that includes special silver spot finishes throughout - front, back, booklet and picture labels, as well as bright pantones. There will be a limited run on orange vinyl before moving to black once sold out.
Rhythm Section look to Poland once more for two of the most uplifting tracks of the year. Earth Trax (known for his productions as The Phantom & one half of Ptaki) and newcomer Newborn Junior pull two absolute classics out of the bag here that do what they say on the tin. Both Sax Track and Flute Track centre around ecstatic MIDI melodies on (you guessed it) Saxophone and Flute! Falling somewhere between the late night deep house excursions of Ron Trent (circa Morning Factory era) and more recent retro-leaning breakbeat driven output from the Pender Street Steppers et al, the Sax & Flute EP is a masterclass in sustain-release. Euphoria Guaranteed - or your money back!
Australian label Nightime Drama, run by Peter Fincher (aka Vibrio) and Shaun Franklin (aka Trebek) now serves up its second standout release of 2016. This four track affair comes hot on the heels of the last by Yoshihiro Arikawa, and is a second release on the label by Aussie live act, DJ and producer Trinity, with Steven Tang and Italian based Andee on the remix. Trinity has also released on OOC, Coincidence and Android Muziq and regularly performs all round Europe. His sound deep and cosmic, heady and hypnotic, as the fresh tracks here prove. Cascade Drive is seven minutes of direct and elastic house with spacey pads and driving drums carrying you through the cosmos. From the Earthmothern label and one half of RK's, Andee strips it back to a slick rubber kick drum then layers in a forceful acid line and icy hi hats to really get you under its spell. The longform groove is physical and cerebral in equal measure. The next original is Expansion, and again finds Trinity serving up a hi tech and soul infused deep techno sound that is lithe and liquid, smeared with great pads and truly timeless. Emphasis boss Steven Tang is the perfect man to remix given his style, and his version flips the cut into a more heavyweight and banging techno effort, but one that is just as littered with sci fi sounds, spaceship trails and intergalactic energies.
Fuckthegovernment.Ltd, a.k.a. F.T.G (Alfredo Trastulli) and Music Box head honcho, Marco Riff, return to the Skylax fold in 2016 with a cache of house nuggets for our listening pleasure. Their last venture on Skylax saw F.T.G collaborate with a bunch of his friends, resulting in some of the best tracks we'd heard all year, including the unforgettable Fuckthegovernment theme. Their tracks have been celebrated and hailed by some of the best DJs in the game, names such as Derrick May, Ricardo Villalobos, Raresh, and DJ Harvey. The bar set by the first record remains sky high, and somehow, these two manage to raise the bar even higher. It may be the biggest cliche going when talking about an album, but the duo certainly do take us on a journey, through the past and present of house music. It's a record not too dissimilar in tone to Paranoid London's from a few years back, but F.T.G and Marco strip things back even further than those guys did, in our opinion; The sound is more raw with less frills, and no track names to predispose feelings in the listener either. This eight track project is cohesive and elaborate, with movements through sounds both acid and jazzy, minimal and maximal. It explores sounds that came to prominence in famous house locales such as Detroit and Chicago over in the U.S., but the underground European influence is definitely present, from Paris to Berlin, and of course F.T.G and Marco's home of Italy. With this album, these guys add to the underground sound that has cultivated in the city of Perugia for years now, a place that has seen the likes of Simoncino and Nicholas hone their craft.Don't miss out on a piece of Skylax history!
We are proud to present Christian Nielsen's debut release on Noir
Music. Noir and Christian has been friends for many years and
therefore we have been following the Danish talent closely and
waited for the perfect time and the perfect tracks to create his first
release on the label. So....here it is.....
Over and Over' sits right in between tech and techno with those
irresistible vocals that's become Christian's signature. On Speeding'
Mr. Nielsen digs a little deeper and the result is a fantastic techno-
groover which roots back to early Detroit underground. We
recommend you give in and play both.




















