quête:tribal tech

Detroit's Burden Bros have long been looked upon with immense respect within contemporary dance music. Having been in operation since 1990 with their 430 West imprint they have long encapsulated the forward thinking vibe of Detroit Techno with their output over the last 20+ years, gaining praise from their motor city peers as well as fans worldwide. Having had success in the mainstream and an enduring underground presence they are well versed in the art of music.

This double-pack 'Cymbolic' originally came out in 1995 and found favour with electronic music fans who sought a deeper edge in their music. It's all here, the trademark drum programming, the epic sense that all of the Burden Bros productions have within them. This is dancefloor music, music for DJ's to utilise, tools, but tools with the deepest soul imaginable. Listen to 'Terraforming' or 'The Symbiont' - perfect examples of driving, almost tribal-esque rhythms fused with strings, synth pads and human feeling. 'Cymbolic' is for you if you're a fan of Detroit Techno, but it's also for those who enjoy the deepest electronic sounds. That's not to say it isn't funky though, these tracks will decimate most dance-floors, and therein lies the secret. Essential release here, that classic 430 (mid) West flavour re-mastered, re-pressed and re-released in conjunction with the Burden Brothers / 430 West Records, Detroit USA

"Daito" The Temple
Sub filtered kick delays deliver heart pounding bass, followed by spacious overhead sounds of nature, leaving the tubular synthesis builds up the tension. Featuring a melodic buildup, to get any dance floor calm, quickly to be filled with warm sub bass & soft percussion, ending with a clean mixable outro.

"Balas" Molecules (J. Manuel Destruction Mix)
A mechanically arranged techno slammer, with creatively delayed sci-fi elements, pounding broken beats & subtle, clean percussion, all coming together to dominate any dance-floor!
Starting with a slowly resonating acid line, medieval sounding pads add depth & progression, followed by a sharp snare & tribal tom, all ending in a galactic buildup, with the acid line adding the energy & the pads giving the track an ancient sound.

"Projekt Gestalten" The Fight, The Victory, The Death
Starting with a slowly resonating acid line, medieval sounding pads add depth & progression, followed by a sharp snare & tribal tom, all ending in a galactic buildup, with the acid line adding the energy & the pads giving the track an ancient sound.

"Cristian Marras" Project to Escape
Hypnotic but also energetic, this is peak time techno!
The first hook gets your attention as the overdrive percussion builds you up to the breakdown. As the frequencies slowly change, the buildup arises, building up the energy levels ahead of the discreet drop, filled with high frequencies to put you into a state of trance.

Matuss takes techno and turns it on its head. The cybernetic sound has been filled with human emotion, giving it a more organic feel than much of the music that would fall under the genre.She opens her Absence Seizure 007 EP in trademark style, with a dark jacking cut entitled Pitchureque, in which a pulsating bass line throbs alongside ominous acid swells and disorientating panning effects.Next up, Tektango takes a different route honing in on a set of live tribal tinged percussion, which sway and dissipate with hypnotic effect driven further into the depths with a bubbling synth lead and filtering atmospherics. This live percussion gives the track that organic feel mentioned earlier. Escapade kick starts the B-side with a robust rhythm, built from the ground up with resonant hi hat stabs, echoing claps and sturdy kicks which forms the framework for a deranged lead melody laced with wide open synths and emotive chords to carry the groove. Closing the package is Fonque, where flanger-tinged snare rolls work in unison with driving rhythms, delicate arpeggios and an intricate 303 bass line to create an infectious closing cut.

Jacob Long's newest recordings under the Earthen Sea moniker deepen his compelling synthesis of shadowy rhythms and opaque atmospherics, drawing on the most potent qualities of melancholic ambient and dub techno.

An Act Of Love' follows 2015's Ink,' released via Ital's Lovers Rock imprint,
and was inspired by internal tribulations and the experience of exploring an empty nocturnal metropolis. Careful waves of tones drift and decay, beats materialize and pulse across twilit landscapes, a noir mood reigns.

Given Long's background as bassist for revelatory tribal-punk trio Mi Ami, An Act Of Love' showcases a musician in the midst of transcendent redefinition, crafting an immersive language of texture and motion.

From Jacob Long:
This record was made over the course of the most emotionally difficult and stressful year in my life thus far. As such, it is both a reflection of that experience and also something that gave me space to begin working through issues to see a way forward, to a better place both psychically and physically.

An idea that was also central to my thoughts while creating the album was the concept and reality of being out in the city at night, wandering around a large urban area after dark - the contrast of empty streets but with life still going on all around, and the openness and possibilities that can bring. This music was an attempt to capture that feeling.

With this record, New York Trax furthers its mission of presenting to the world the upcoming talents hailing from the New York scene. New York Trax 03 is the first release of the talented Manhattan-based producer Alex Alben. The A side has 'Irin' and 'Chimera', two very mean prime time techno bombs. 'Kamikiri' rounds up the EP with its relentless tribal beat and arpeggio that will cheer up even the darkest souls. ONLY on vinyl!

Marc Antona has been always in the pursuit of new expressions within music as he has continually demonstrated with his work. Following the jazz-infused adventures of the Rattle Snaps EP, he finally returns to his own turf to lay down another crucial exploration of beat science. "Hanging Gardens" is a masterclass in immersive programming, fusing the natural feel of live drums with crisp electronic tones that hover in a spacious mix. It's the perfect angle at which to appreciate the subtlety of sound design that goes into every inch of Marc Antona's productions, teasing elements in and out of the mix so gracefully, it's hard to tell where the joints are. The haunting touches of chords and lingering pad are deployed with poise, the intricate percussion progressively rising and falling throughout to create a truly immersive sonic journey. Where the A side deals with angular rhythms and a shape-shifting atmosphere, "Unrestricted" takes the sound palette of organic and electronic elements and feeds them into a rolling, techno-minded focus. The tribal thrum of the beat fills out an 'in-the room-ambience' while the psychoactive synth flurries speak out the pulse of the machines. It's a combination that makes "Unrestricted" as intimate as it is exotic. In combining these disparate feelings within his tracks, Antona once again brings a human feel to the technology, pushing the music into exciting new realms in the process.

A veteran of the music industry, Dave Ellesmere is way past his hardcore drumming days. Harboring the accumulated skills with a multitude of instruments, his electronic productions are intricate and meticulous. His passion for Detroit and Chicago soundscapes is evident in his latest vinyl release for MixxRecords.

'Caught In A Moment' starts off the EP with a steady techno grip engulfing a serene melody interspersed with sharp and gritty accents.

The second track opens up with solemn piano progressions combined with high pitched synths, conjuring different spheres of the musical spectrum. Aptly entitled Universal Vibe', the track evokes a very diverse array of sounds layered on top of a dubby bassline.

The sub-bassy 'From Now On Only Good Things Will Happen' kicks off in a very introspective manner, developing into a dreamy yet dark journey filled with anxiety ridden chords and drum pads.

Label chief's Tony Rodriguez aka Brothers' Vibe is on duty for the 'Universal Vibe' remix. Percussion takes the main lead, giving the track a rolling pace. Stripping down a lot of the global elements but keeping some bell chords, Rodriguez's reinterpretation offers a tribal infused piece with a completely different mood that is just as contagious as the original.

Josh Praus has been involved in San Francisco's Bay Area scene for the last two decades. A prolifc collector and player of records, What We Tellin' Them marks his frst public outing as a producer. As debuts go, it's pretty darn impressive.
Praus has been working hard in the studio over the last three years, creating tracks that draw infuence from a wide range of styles and artists. He cites 'downtempo, disco, house, Italo and techno' as major inspirations,
and listeners may hear elements from all of these disparate styles on this assured, confdent EP.
Some may hear echoes of the trippy, tribal-infuenced house sound of Siesta and Tango Recordings in the dense, drum-heavy shuffe of 'What We Tellin' Them', while others may fnd comparisons with African rhythm tracks and hypnotic, late night techno. However you frame it, 'What We Tellin' Them' is
an impressively percussive, mid-tempo workout designed to tease and titillate late night dancefoors. Flipside 'Lucas Valley Dr', featuring the dreamy, freestyle vocals of experienced San Fran singer Nina Lares, couldn't be more different. Sparse, synthesizer-driven and undeniably intoxicating, it seemingly channels the spirit of both dubbed-out West Coast deep house, and the similarly delay-laden New York proto-house of Winston Jones and Paul Simpson. Throw in clear Italo-disco and Chicken Lips infuences, and you've got something that's undeniably magical. Both tracks were produced by Josh Praus at his home studio, with additional production, mixing and mastering by friend Layne Fox, best known as part of regular Leng contributors 40 Thieves.

Vakant comes back with a very special release from an unknown group of creative entities. Three cuts of tribal space techno weaponry aimed at the dancefloor. We have received a message from entities lost in between the stars in the vacuum of interstellar space. The transmission was encrypted in an ancient code we were able to translated into frequencies understandable to earthlings. A psychic telegram has been sent to us, activating the body and the mind, divided into aggregations of codes that form three tracks of straight in your face, high-octane fueled, acidic tribal techno, riding on solid bass lines, trippy synths, shiny percussions and abstract ambiences.

Bass Cadet Records comes back with a solo release by Etienne from Arcarsenal under the Solune moniker. Four crossover pieces of music mixing multiple layers of influences circled between house, ambient, soundscapes, dub techno and tribal rhythms.

* Manchester's Walton returns to Tectonic following last year's explorations in grime flavoured house/techno offshoots on the killer 'Bulldoze EP'. This time Walton leads with a dance floor crushing anthem that cruises a cool line between grime and tribal dubstep. Featuring a looping Riko Dan sample, 'Gunman' sets a stone cold tone from the offset, hi-hats setting up the groove before a grime flavoured melody cuts in preparing you for the drop. When the bass and drums come crashing in they bounce off each other to produce a disorientating tribal rhythm that will set the dance floor alight!

* Flip for a slower, more gentle mood with 'Caught In A Trip'. Rolling at 126bpm, 'Caught In A Trip' builds around a developing melody played on a glockenspiel-esque instrument, backed with tribal percussion and a driving kick pattern. Ethereal in mood throughout, this one provides a lighter moment for the dance floor.

Alleviated Records is proud to present the first edition of ''Underground Files''. We hope to introduce you to new Artists/Producers/Technicians with this series. This first edition includes selections by 2 Memphis-based dj/technicians/producers, Adam Arthur and Michael Kuntzman. Side A features Arkansas native Adam Arthur starting off with ''Rogue Intent''. If you're looking for radical-pumping house, look no further to get your crowd going crazy on the dancefloor. Next, we change the flavor a bit with ''Flamenco'' for when you need some downtempo warm seductiveness. Side B features 2 selections from Memphis dj/producer Michael Kuntzman. First up is ''Shutter'' with a bumping sci-fi-house flavor. Then we have ''Mondane'' with a pumping abstract-tribal-surreal tone. We hope you enjoy these for many years to come! Musically yours!

Najem Sworb brings us the thirty-fifth edition of Wolfskuil Records adding the Strasbourg-based artist to it's roster. Previously releasing on labels such as Clone Basement Series, Technorama, Metis Recordings and the now defunct Ai Records, Najem Sworb has been transforming through various genres of techno since his debut release in 2007.

Rad.Velc EP brings us 4 original tracks playing upon the themes of house and techno. 'K-159' opens the EP with a fierce relentless bass and squeaky pads ending in a harmonic disarray while 'K-166' follows in a smiliar suit rather with a dub inspired rhythms. On the flipside, Najem Sworb switches up the vibe with 'K-abL' which illustrates the artists more house influences with mystical synth lines. However, 'K-177' demonstrates his knack for techno, delivering an explosive device fit for the dance floor. Together in all four tracks Najem Sworb shows his expertise in unique synth work providing a quirky cadence to his beats.

DJ FEEDBACK
early support from
Answer Code Request: Interesting stuff here!
Rødhåd: Downloading for listen.
Anthony Parasole: This is quite good!
Ben Sims: B2 doing it for me.
A.Mochi: A2 is for me!
Angel Molina: K-abL/K-177 as my fav track on here, especially the last one, killer one.
John Osborn: Really strong release - loving A2 & B1.
Isolated Lines: Very cool tracks! I really like A2 and B2. I'll play them.
Jeff Derringer: Sounds very nice! I'll try this in Detroit.
Phone: Love hypnotic tribal sound of K159.
Truncate: Solid tracks all around... but really digging that B1 track.
Orde Meikle: Great release.
Ekserd: Another excellent one on Wolfskuil. Super nice!
Echoplex: Fresh.
AWB: Long time fan of Laurent's work.
Invite: Another great ep on the label! Keep them coming!
Jeroen Search: Yes!
Blawan: Very nice ep! Full support.
Joseph Capriati: Downloading for Joseph Capriati.
Mr. Jones: Always a surprise what new sound Wolfskuil will bring.Like this funky and fresh EP.
Richie Hawtin: Downloaded for Richie Hawtin.
Marcel Heese: Killer!
Randomer: A side bangs.
Robert Lamart: Support.
Svreca: Feeling specially K-177.
Mosca: Love that K-166 synth!
Tensal: B2 is my pic here, nice stuff as usual in Wolfskuill.
Markus Suckut: 166 & 177.
Sinfol: Will try b2.
Ame: Thanks.

The VRV label pushes its sound further with its 6th vinyl release, featuring Rai´z. Opener Coruscate' stuns with brilliant energy designed to meet any set's intensity requirements. The fip side starts with Inner Sense,' a stripped-down, claustrophobic drive somewhere between apprehension and urgency. Primeval' pulls the layers back even further, for an aggressive track that's reminiscent of techno's drum-driven tribal era. All tracks are primed for cutting edge techno DJs. Pushing the exploration of concept and expression with the VRV circle, this release features artwork by Rai´z family member Vanessa Vargas.

The Links EP is Blackhall & Bookless' latest outing for their increasingly renowned Jaunt> Records imprint. A highly personal release, the EP is a homely affair, celebrating the boys' upbringing in Whitley Bay with a gusto that's indicative of the area's unique charm.A A "Links" serves up a dreamy, atmospheric landscape - and one that reflects the location around which the EP is titled. Don Williams' interpretation goes down the rabbit hole further still, teasing the listener thanks to a range of slashing echo chords and clever sub bass techniques. The duo's second original is "Vision", aAdark techno jam that manifests into a stunning tribal hypnodrome.AClosing out the EP is "Cognition", another highly atmospheric track that keeps the listener locked thanks to its many dexterous capabilities. The striking artwork, meanwhile, showcases a black and white image of where the pair would hang out as teenagers. In that essence, the image echoes their production style, with the two sides of the links joining at the bridge and working together in unison.A JR004Ais dedicated in loving memory to Ian Blackhall.A

In 2015 beging Ostgut Ton das zehnjährige Label-Jubiläum, gefeiert wurde mit einer 30 Stücke starken Compilation, Ostgut Ton-Zehn betitelt, verteilt über zehn 12' Vinyl in einem limitierten Boxset. Dieser Sampler war ruckzuck ausverkauft, weshalb diese zehn 12"es nun in 2016 von Ostgut Ton einzeln wiederaufgelegt werden.

Es sei gesagt, dass Ostgut Ton stets mehr als nur ein House- und Techno-Label war - Zehn-Sechs ist eine Reflektion der musikalischen Vielfalt. Der Titel der Barker & Baumecker A-Seite 'Love Is A Battlefield' ist eine schöne Anspielung auf Pat Benatar und Pop einerseits, während musikalisch eher abstrakte UK Breakbeats und arpeggiertes Terrain über die Länge dieses verspielten Zehnminüters abgeschritten werden.

Die B-Seite beginnt mit Uwe Schmidt als Atom™. - Stromlinien' ist natürlich eine tolle Klammer seines reduzierten aber sich clever entfaltenden und pumpenden Analogsynth-Dub Techno-Stücks. Anthony Parasoles - Heartbeat' schert sich herzlich wenig um unsere menschliche, lahme BPM-Herzschlagrate und widmet sich lieber einer schnellen, muskulösen Kick um die 132 BPM, umkreist von tribalistischen und verdrahteten Elementen um den Groove zu komplementieren.

Italian rudeboy Ivan Iacobucci brings his brand of lowdown funk-influenced tech house to Apollonia with this sterling three-tracker. Over two decades of hard work and dedication to his craft has culminated in Ivan's untainted reputation and widespread respect within the underground from true heads like Zip and, of course, the Apollonia boys. His love of jazz in evident throughout this EP which is full of subtlety and depth, pulsating b-lines and smooth chords are interlaced with razor-sharp percussion and delicate keys. The first track 'Old In On' has a laid back, though driving, groove, pushing forward with a hefty bassline that is perfectly counterbalanced by the light twinkling keys and barely-there pads. 'Scris Frumos' encapsulates more of an ominous, tribal feeling with intricate effects trickling through every pore of its deep, dark exterior. Its atmospherics keep you intrigued, voices echo in the background and a few moments of softened chimes really intensify the already mysterious vibe. 'Mini Ass' channels more of that electro-funk that forms the foundation of Ivan's love for music, haywire radio pulses prance around stuttered beats, giving it a slightly cosmic feel, while pipes add a more organic nuance to the track. Absolutely masterful work from Ivan, and another inspired addition to the Apollonia catalogue.

Bodyjack returns to his BodyTrax label with another 3 outstanding BodyTrax. "Is He Always Like This" is an infectious groove-based techno workout which has been tried and tested by a select few DJs over the last few months. Kamala's Revenge is a hypnotic tribal roller with darkside vocals, off-kilter rhythms and & tripped out FX. One for the heads down crew. Last but not least, the uptempo house jacker "Disrespect" combines a killer bassline and Bodyjack's now signature razor sharp beats n' stabs to round off the EP. Oh, and there are 4 locked grooves on the 12" release for the heads. Don't sleep on this one!

Welcome back Mr. Quenum! It's been roughly two years now since the Geneve-based artist, DJ and producer released made his Upon.You debut with his single Rhyme' in summer 2013 and we're extremely thrilled to see his forthcoming three track 12 Trouble' causing serious dancefloor trouble again this fall. Getting started with Colour Pulp' there's no doubt that Quenum is in for some serious action here, fusing an uncomprising, yet minimalistic, hard pumping TechHouse foundation, well-tripping vocal bits and a highly percussive killer build-up sequence this tune is crafted for late nothing but late night abuse. The title track Trouble' also relies on Quenum's rolling trademark minimalism and obscured, morphing ethereal voices but adds a little bit of tribal seasoning here and there that perfectly floats alongside quirky synths and a steamy, fever'ish feel that keeps bodies pumping and palpitating through the night until the morning comes. Functional as functionality can get. Finally Geneve Never Sleeps' speeds up things on a darker, more technoid level where a dark'ish intro built from muffled bassdrums meets scattered, futuristic percussions before shrieking stabs and scarce, ghostly sounds take over and the unstoppable Techno engine starts to run. Proper machine music that is nothing but pure energy!

Finale Sessions is really pleased to launch new series Finale Sessions Limited with Berlin up and coming act Arcarsenal. Duo comprised of Alan Mathias and Etienne Dauta, both founders of Bass Cadet Records and its dedicated vinyl store located in the heart of the german capital, they are also active members of the large Underground Quality family. Arcarsenal have already started to establish themselves as proponent of a crossover sound, mixing many influences from jazz, house, ambient to dub and techno. They are always giving a prominence to jam, improvisation and textures work in their studio routine. This EP called « Dark Skies & Wetlands », even if slightly grittier than usual, is no stranger to the rules of the duo. The opening track « Different Planet » is an epic dark deep house cut which develops itself over a course of 8:40. Starting with a stamping ground bassline and hazy atmosphere, the track opens up with synth attacks, dub echoes and slowly brings in a blissful melody that ends up linking all the elements. « Substance Of Arjuna », the following track on the A-side, is a-contrario a short but intense ambient work. Shot in one take, this subtle cut showcases the kind experimentations that Mathias and Dauta can end up doing late at night in front of their machines. The b-side of the EP leaves all the space to « Racoons », one of the weirdest and yet most powerful work of the duo to date. Tribal techno could be a short try to define what they achieved here, but the track goes far more than this. Built on a gritty mental acidic bass and a huge drum kick, the frenchmen bring over aggressive synth work that could sound like an orchestra on rehearsal, pachydermic screams or an overdriven guitar larsen. Underlined by a complex percussion pattern recorded live in their nest and chopped up to the best effect, the track ends up in a looping transe from which the listener might not leave in a normal state.