Techno 12” Single Reviews for Dancemusic.com – February 2, 2005
Just One More Time EP – Mark Williams – Primate (UK)
Mark Williams, the master of the tribal techno sounds and one of the most consistent producers on the techno scene is back with another exceptional release, this time for the boys at Primate. “Still In The Game” brings the heat, with stripped down, minimal drums, trippy stabs and a ton of dark, groovy energy, while “Groove 5.1” takes us on another signature Williams vocal infused, tribal excursion. The flip features “Just One More” a funked up percussion filled rocker, with lush undertones and a vocal that will have the entire club singing. The EP concludes with “Dark Matter”, a complete dancefloor rocker that is the real stand out here. A rocking, triplet style drum pattern, funky bassline and building, muted keyboard stabs combine to form an amazing tension builder of the first degree.****(4 of 5)
Supersonic Combustion EP – Jorg W Henze – Primate Endangered Species (UK)
Primate Endangered Species follows up their destructive “Pirate Audio EP” with this new four tracker from the manic mind of Jorg W Henze. “Supersonic Combustion” is a hard edged, forward moving techno rocker with dark percussion, lush undertones and a didgeridoo style bassline that simply rocks. But the real stand out here is “Don’t Be Stupid”, a simple, funky mover with gritty percussion, dark bassline and a synth line that is equally parts haunting and soothing. Moody destroyer of the first degree.****(4 of 5)
Volume 1 – Pirate Audio – Pirate Audio Recordings (UK)
New imprint from Wilko of Ignition Technician fame takes things in a decidedly rough and rugged direction. Side A (no track titles were provided) features a straight forward, body rocking techno rocker, complete with blazing beats, dark stabs and drums, drums and more drums. Side B features scorching military drums and several hot-to-death, stress filled breakdowns that come together on together in an incredible, dancefloor-rocking package. The EP concludes with B2, another take no prisoners jam, complete with moving percussion and a hot old school rave style synth line that just rips the track apart. Hard, rocking monsters, one and all.*****(5 of 5)
From the East to the West – Various – Genetic Recordings (BE)
Quite a bit harder than anything previously released on Genetic, this EP features 4 slammin tracks from artists around the globe. While Henry Chow and DP6 bring the pain and provide some rugged moments, it is the A Side that really got my attention. “Fragmental Excursion” by Radical G and Peak starts things off and goes from dormant groover to dancefloor destroyer at the blink of an eye. Blazing percussion and a groaning, tension building synthline combine on this dark, evil excursion. Tim Berner adds “Down In Progress”, a murky, wicked grinder with rough beats and a colossal bassline from hell that will annihilate anything in its path. If this EP had a warning label on the jacket, it would read “not for the faint of heart.” Rocking!***(3 of 5)