Burning EP – Kut Goldcard – KG Beats (US)
Two compelling tracks from Tokyo-based Kut Goldcard and the KG Beats crew. "Private Jet" is first, with gripping rhythms and stirring vocal samples, but "Long Flight" on Side B is the cut I went straight to. Head-bobbing beats, dense bass, and a ton of booty-shaking, flavor. *** (3 of 5)
Invasion EP – Echoplex – Soleil Records (PL)
Unfailing techno master Peter Sliwinski (aka Echoplex) is back with another destroyer on his own Soleil Records. No track title information was provided on this advance, but suffice to say, all three cuts are ass-shaking, foundation-rocking funky techno movers and have gone directly to the top of my chart. Quality as usual. ***** (5 of 5)
Wishbox EP – Damon Wild – Synewave (US)
Label boss and all-around techno genius Damon Wild is back with another tight release. "Dragonfly" kicks things off with driving beats, eerie undertones, and a ton of old school retro flavor. "Kyoto Line" is next, with lovely keys, rising synth stabs and beats that are thick enough to cut with a knife. This is a total dance floor slayer. "Wishbox" wraps things up, with lush, airy, dub-flavored keys and shuffling beats. **** (4 of 5)
Return of Evil EP - Thomas Christopher & Steve Payne – Primevil (UK)
After a two year hiatus, Primevil is back with two slammin' techno monsters. "Someone To Abuse" from Thomas Christopher is first, with straight, driving rhythms, trippy horn stabs, and two immense, tension-building break downs. The flip brings us "The Pressure" from Steve Payne, a rocking jam of the first degree. Nice one from Steve, Thomas, and the Primevil crew. **** (4 of 5)
Porterhouse EP 1 – Steve Porter – FDS Recordings (US)
From his numerous original productions and remixes to party-rocking DJ sets the world over, Steve Porter is one of dance music's hottest comodities. This EP brings us four original cuts from his recently released "Porterhouse" mix CD. The cuts here, like Steve's DJ sets, are wildly diverse, but the common thread lies in their fun factor. House beats, techno basslines, trancy keys and disco-esque samples come together to move you like few others. With his feet on the ground and his sights on the stars, Porter continues to impress. **** (4 of 5)
