Four tracks of quality, wildly diverse offerings from the Affected Music camp. While I am equally into the 3 breaks-influenced tracks on this release, it is the truly massive acid house-flavored title cut that really does it for me. With simple, retro drums, upfront keys, vocal samples, and subtle, slow building 303 bassline – this is an old school congregation of the best kind. *** (3 of 5)
A Sleepless Malice – Dustin Zahn – Audio Assault (NL)
Straight ahead 3-tracker from Minneapolis-based rising techno star Dustin Zahn. The title cuts takes up residence on Side A, and does the business from the drop of the needle. With dark stabs, rocking drums, and evil, eerie undertones, this is ready for your next late night techno set. The flip brings us "We Want Heat," a slow-moving techno builder with funky bassline and compelling stutter edits and pads, and concludes with "American X" a grinding, shuffling, James Ruskin-flavored affair. Another feather in the cap for Dustin and the everconsistent Audio Assault crew. Wicked. **** (4 of 5)
Inner Mexican – Daddy J feat. Just Jason – Public Access (US)
Four tracks of funky, Latin-flavored house from the Public Access imprint. The vocals in the "Original Mix" walk a fine line between over-the-top and cheesy, but the excellent "Spettro Remix" remedies this. Removing all but the best elements, this is the version I will be reaching for again and again. The "Innergan Mix" is the work of the Greenskeepers, who take the track in an even chunkier, more compelling direction. *** (3 of 5)
Registry Check – Texture – Klickhaus (US)
Three tracks of simple, twisted madness from the aptly-named new imprint Klickhaus. The original mix is a subtle, slow-building minimal burner with thick synth line, head-bobbing beats and a ton of laid-back flavor. The flip brings us the "Tim Xavier Remix," a minimal, chugging number that is 180 degrees from most of his productions. The EP concludes with the "Camea Remix," an even more stripped-down, Morris Audio-flavored mover. Hot debut. ***** (5 of 5)
Homing Devices EP – Soultek + Noah Pred – Metapath Recordings (CA)
Hot new release on Noah Pred's collaboration-themed Metapath Recordings. Teaming up with Chicago-based Soultek, this EP brings forth some of the best melodic techno I have heard in ages. The "Original Mix" of Mobile Homeland is up first, with compelling beats, smooth keys, and a phat bassline that induces you to move. The "Soultek Remix" takes things in a more subtle, minimal direction, adding deep, lush, sexy pads that lifts this track up to the stratosphere. The flip is equally worthy of your attention, but Side A more the fulfilling enough to warrant your attention and purchase. ***** (5 of 5)
The Flammable EP – No Boyfriend Material – Uniting Souls Music (US)
Three solid tracks here, but the one for me is "Flammable." A thick, butt-shaking house mover with impenetrable bass and funky, tongue-in-cheek vocals that recall a long running Seattle weekly of the same name. Solid stuff. *** (3 of 5)
The Wipe Remixes – Teste – Polarized Records (US)
Originally released on Richie Hawtin's Plus 8 imprint, this old school classic from 1992 is given updated reworking from Teate, Dustin Zahn, and Polarized label boss Locutus. The "Teste Remix" retains many of the original elements, adding added percussion, and effects to producer a mind-altering, tension-filled bomb. Minneapolis-based Zahn takes things in a gritty, hard-rocking direction with stripped down rhythms and a ton of filthy energy. Locutus wraps things up with fierce, bouncy affair that is sure to destroy any and all dance floors in its path. **** (4 of 5)
Calypso for the Masses – Boo Williams – Capture Records (US)
Smooth, deep, soulful house with funky Caribbean-flavored rhythms. The Demarkus Lewis' "UGT Rubdown Mix" is the one for me, with more pumped-up beats, jazzy keys, and hot flute freestyling abound. *** (3 of 5)
