Techno News

Fracture’s Slow Astro concept returns for another instalment of slow edits from the Astrophonica back catalogue. Reducing the tempo right down to 97bpm for that extra baggy vibe and recorded live on a Mackie mixing desk with added dub siren and FX - an overnight sleeper train journey to the slower depths of music from Sully, Client_03, Nikki Nair, Damian’s Ghost and more.

Here's what Fracture has to say about the Slow Astro project.

“I have always been intrigued by playing audio back at different speeds. Be it speeding up breakbeats to make Jungle or slowing down pop music to make drawn out nostalgic atmospheres. Some of my first experiments with pitch were with my brother. We’d record ourselves onto cassette and use the hi speed dubbing feature to change the pitch of our voices. If you held the play button down half way it would cause the tape to play back at different speeds - mangling the audio. Over the past year I became fascinated with playing on 7 inch records on 33. New rhythms, grooves and textures appear when you change the pitch of audio. It can totally alter the emotional quality of a piece of music you thought you knew so well - creating new artifacts with a familiar yet dreamlike quality. I started to wonder what the Astrophonica catalogue would sound like slowed down. So I made ‘Slow Astro’. Shout out DJ Screw…"

After his first appearance on Specimen Records as a part of the, SPECTRO-017 with his track “React”, Arsonist Recorder now comes with a first solo-EP on the label, Arsonist Recorder now comes with a first solo-EP on the label, in which the producer reaches back into some deeper, almost trippy states of mind, accompanied by some ultimately addictive electro grooves.

The first track, “Vaxxer”, which also titles the EP, puts up a warehouse-worthy beat, handing out bass-punches as it moves along. A rude hi-hat pattern shuffles the groove, and once the rhythm has you hooked, some lush eerie synth patterns start to emerge transporting the listener to the rooftop of a skyscraper in a dystopian city.

Next up is “Oxidant”, which was written with a close friend in mind who was going through some difficult times. The strong determination of the pulsating bass, overlayed by a very emotional melodic element leads you from the contrast to unity, refecting, pushing forward.

“Multiverse” comes in with a thunderous boom, reminiscent of a huge spaceship landing, which could be a metaphor for events that land on top of our heads, which we have no control over and have to deal with. The track introduces an infectious 808-groove, building up, and some chilling synths warp their way straight into your mind to de-program all the viruses in there and set you free from any mind-control.

Finally, finishing off is “Shiffty”. It lands straight away with a heart-pounding beat, with bass-bots bouncing, adding an ultra-funky bassline that will keep your feet moving. Waves of synthy-bliss wash over as this groove connects all your individual elements together.

The Dutch West Coast, home of the Hague, where Cliff Dalton resides, the home of a new producer for Specimen Records 2021. Probing as an interface between harsh reality and pure fiction. He reveals a surrealistic emphasis on sonic particles into the realms of electro.

By now, Roman Flügel needs no introduction. Neither the man, nor the music. We will try to describe the latter anyway. Precursory to his new LP Eating Darkness, Anima emblazes the manifoldness and elegancy of his sound. Starting off with D.I.S.C.O., Flügel links the unredeemed promise and euphoria of last year’s Garden Party to the present (including a dub version for the right balance of happiness.

As the man himself so eloquently put it: „I’ve tried to create a track that reflects the past from a slightly melancholic but still enthusiastic state of mind. The past 30 years of my life have been highly influenced by DJing, traveling and producing club music of many sorts. That life is at least temporarily on hold and it might not be the same after the pandemic. The music is also trying to reflect the colourfulness, happiness, beauty and drama that is part of nightlife. The track uses tiny bits and riffs from an endless pool of Disco tracks. The production sounds rather clean and synthetic, as if a Robot is the one who remembers everything that was. “
Consequently, working as an epilogue as well as the prologue to the aforementioned album, are Anima and Eating Darkness. Both follow their counterpart’s boldness with enchanting sobriety, rigorous sound design and minimalist beauty - one on and the other off the dance floor.To cut a long story short: listen to a mastermind at work.

Short Info: New EP by Roman Flügel on Running Back. Prolonging 2020s Garden Party euphoria, D.I.S.C.O. is available in full glory and as a dub version, while Anima and Eating Darkness foreshadow his up and coming long player. Following boldness with enchanting sobriety, rigorous sound design and minimalist beauty, one works on and the other off the dance floor. To cut a long story short: listen to a mastermind at work.

crystal transparent vinyl,

Hot on the heels of his releases on Kompakt, Helena Hauff’s Return to Discorder imprint, John Digweed’s Bedrock Records or
Science Cult, French Sailing Captain had to stop on parisian shores of Les Yeux Orange to refuel before extending his electronic
journey. He teams up here with legendary producer The Advent, delivering « Computer Monkey », a concept EP coming with relentless lyrics about egocentrism on social networks. Two awesome remixes by electro cult artists Legowelt and DMX Krew round up
the package made of crystal transparent copies with pixel art full color sleeves.

Following on from Le Motel’s knockout release in February, Brussel-based producer DJ JM lands on Maloca Records with a new EP ‘Squash’. The prolific producer is known for his impressive output of production-only mixes and releases on labels such as Nervous Horizon, Goon Club Allstars, and Even The Strong. The DJ JM project was first established in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2015, becoming quickly known for off-kilter club records. Heavily driven by percussion, DJ JM continues his powerful stride, this time providing six weird and wonky dancefloor anthems. With the Maloca Records ethos built upon global collaborations, on this record DJ JM teams up with Ugandan MC Swordman Kitala on ‘Funicular’. Launching Maloca Records in 2020, Le Motel aims to bring together an international network of makers which was highlighted on the label’s first compilation, Maloca Vol. 1. The release focused on a terrestrial and borderless percussive sound that has been bubbling in clubs and Le Motel’s orbit, featuring tracks from Nick León, OMAAR, DJ JM, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Coen, DJ N.K. and Tsongo. Maloca has also released solo EPs from Howie Lee, Farsight and Griffit Vigo.

picture-disc / numbered / limited edition

One year and a half after the huge Oscar Mulero & Umwelt Picture Disc 14, here is a big big release with two new anthems tracks by Ancient Methods on A side and Umwelt on B Side. Both will penetrate your soul with their unique raving atmospheres.
This one is for collectors again!!!

The concept behind this split 12” is simple. Two artists who are divided by the Atlantic Ocean but unified by a love of classic New Beat sounds. Andi, boss of the New York City-based Synthicide record label/club night and Aufnhame + Wiedergabe recording artist, combined forces with Sheffield’s Industrialist and lover of underground Body Music, Randolph & Mortimer, to present their own interpretation to the unmistakable Belgian genre.

Thus, “Torque Force” was forged. A landscape where seedy neon-soaked city streets merge with the clang of hammers and of industry: Gotham versus The Steel City. Andi brings pure style to Side A with driving beats and rolling, lo-fi percussion overlaid by seriously funky basslines and ominous samples. Side B is jammed with the unmistakable dancibility found in Randolph & Mortimer’s oeuvre that forces the body to move —with intense, in-your-face synth lines and precise beats, there is no choice but to dance.

The four tracks on “Torque Force” are not just uber cool dancefloor killers, but could easily soundtrack a slew of 1980s dystopian cyber-sleaze movies. She must have violated the program…

The small but already well-formed Innate label offer sup a superb split EP for its sixth outing. Gilbert opens up with 'Low Flying Objects', a widescreen and serene bit of synth-laden tendon with more than a hint of Motor City soul over the dusty drums. 'Unknown Entities' is a brain-cleansing and celestial electro-styled cut with dreamy pads and cinematic deepness. Bristol-born, Welsh-rooted Owain K then steps up to the flip with equally painterly sounds. 'Unknown Entities' pairs deep and rubbery bass with crisp electro drum patterns and far-sighted chords. 'New Horizon' then closes out with some delightfully dozy deep house that's laden with wispy chords and undulating bass.

A four track full colour special edition vinyl from Mella Dee.

The lead ‘Riptide’, features original vocals from synth-pop trailblazer and founder of New Order/Joy Division Bernard Sumner. A slice of euphoria streaked with melancholy,

'Big Eff Off Groove' was the first track of the EP to be released as a single, following on it's massive Summer of 2022 where it garnered support across some of the biggest festival stages and clubs internationally. Mella Dee speaking on the record describes it as “Exactly what it says, heavy hitting no frills groove, complete with full on dubbed out effects. Enjoy.”!

Followed up with two cuts of rolling house music on track 'Find Love Yourself', the 'Deeper Love Mix' explores Mella Dee’s affinity for the murkier corners of dance music, whilst the original mix is a deep-in-the-dance groover paired with a haunting Little Dragon vocal sample.

R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings welcomes Australian new comer, Reflex Blue to the label with a solo four tracker of cosmic progressive house.

Of Paradise are known for their eclectic output that is impossible to pigeonhole. This three piece compilation is testament to that idea, featuring quality tracks from across the spectrum of club focussed music.

Deep breaky electro, IDM textures and rolling dance floor tech from Melbourne. Remix duties from Rudolf C.

Here comes something unapologetically goth.

Male Tears is the dark electro group consisting of vocalist, James Edward and synthesist, Frank Shark. Hailing from Los Angeles, what began as a solo project re-established itself as a duo in 2021, simultaneously moving from the breezy sounds of the first self-titled album to darker realms with their sophomore Trauma Club.

Krypt is their third full-length recording and it shows a fully grown ensemble capable of pushing everything over the top; blending elements of darkwave, goth rock, EBM and futurepop into a sound they call Dark Rave.

Naturally drawing inspiration from the Californian goth tradition (45 Grave, Christian Death) and the Canadian post-industrial brood (Skinny Puppy, FLA), as well as the best UK synthpop (Depeche Mode, The Human League), Male Tears emphasizes the most glamourous, and at once, gruesome aspects of the whole gothic subculture, bringing everything to the next level, resulting in a contemporary and cutting edge album.

Eight new cuts that alternate rarefied synthwave (Krypt), dark eurodance (Slay) with goth techno-pop (Sleep 4Ever) and pounding electro-industrial (I Expire) to create something we may call New Romantic Body Music. It’s no wonder we wanted the scene’s top studio, La Distilleria, run by Maurizio Baggio, to master this for the most bombastic outcome.

And yet Krypt is not just about the music, it’s about one up with the times attitude that can review aggressive EBM in the light of an extravagant pop sensibility and a theatrical grandeur worthy of the Blitz Kids from London circa 1979-80.

You may think it takes quite a bit of nonchalance to do so but the L.A. duo easily succeeds at this. Akin to their aesthetics, they may seem spooky from the outside but their approach is nothing stuffy. Quite the contrary, everything regarding Male Tears is a celebration of life’s most bizzare shades, driven by some of the best dark humor you’ll find around.

So Dance with me, my dear, on a dancefloor of bones and skulls / The music is our master The devil controls our souls.

Limited edition of 200 copies (100 black / 100 quicksilver) equipped with a numbered ultra-light paper print insert plus bonus sticker.

Wir sind Maschinen – gebaut um zu dienen. There could be no proper introduction as *FEHLFUNKTIONEN* by ROBOTRON to design the future of termination by SKYNET CYBERSONIX. T.1 (termination one) is the debut concept album by the man behind several underground labels and projects like INTERFUNK and HIEROGLYPHICA – representing pure detroit electro/techno machinery resistance on this limited 12″ 6-track LP.

At times music gets lost for years in virtuality… And like an archeologist of modern times he wandered into his own archives, rifling through old hard drives and files exchanged with fellow musicians throughout the years to uncover music from the likes of Arnaud Rebotini, Acid Washed, Rambal Cochet, Danton Eeprom, Mount Kismet, Commando Variété & Seb El Zin.

What other than « Black Ink », as a name, could portray the impression brought on by this collection of tracks? A compilation that writes an original scenario between space opera and romantic Sci-fi story. As the music unfolds, the listener discovers treasures spanning genres such as Indie Dance, Leftfield, Detroit Techno, Electro, EBM…

The Orbitants chapter 3 has just landed.

A solid wave of visionary fantasists has been assembled.

4 tunes to connect the electro era from the basic challenge between old school and the new school, dark atmospheres and killer beats to feed your brain.

Entering the two-digit era, Clear Memory presents this carefully curated compilation. Oscillating between Dark Acid Rain and L-Town-(Ultra)-Funk. Six surprises, six boxes of pandora, six welcoming arms, six uncanny offers.

More Zeta Reticula on vinyl with five diverse, floor-shaking electro bombs, built by the acclaimed Slovenian producer also known as Umek.

Limited Edition pressed on Ultra Clear vinyl. Do Not Sleep!

Soul Jazz Records new Sounds of the Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 is a new double album CD (and two separate volumes of double-vinyl) featuring a line-up of some of the most forward-thinking and progressive artists and producers working with electronic music around the world today.
This lovingly compiled collection features a stunning array of contemporary artists: Chicago's Afro-futurist genius Hieroglyphic Being, Kassem Mosse (aka Gunnar Wendell/Siege of Troy), one of the most talked-about, respected artists in underground house and techno, out of Detroit's Moodymann stable comes Andres, also featured is Los Angeles-based Ras G, associated with the Brainfeeder label established by fellow producer Flying Lotus, and many more!
This new collection features a first CD of tracks recorded exclusively for Soul Jazz Record's bespoke Sounds of the Universe label. These were originally issued under their Art + Sound series between 2012 and 2015 as unique hand-etched and original commissioned art pieces (reproduced here) collectors' 12' singles - all pressed in micro-editions of 250 copies for each artist's release that were only ever available exclusively from Soul Jazz Records' boutique Sounds of the Universe shop in Soho, London.
The second CD features a fantastic set of all brand new exclusive tracks from the likes of Seven Davis Jr, Drexciya collaborator DJ Stingray, deep house virtuoso Mike Huckaby, Glaswegian noise-punk six-piece Golden Teacher, and lots more - all created and commissioned especially for this release. These songs are not available anywhere else in the world.
Together these 2CDs comprise an amazing selection of new progressive electronic music.
This album is released as double CD pack with slipcase and booklet. It is also available as two separate limited edition double vinyl editions in heavyweight vinyl and gatefold sleeves with full artwork + free download codes, and as a worldwide digital release.