Stamina EP -Bas Moody & Jeroen Liebregts (Audio Assault-NL)
From Holland’s techno underground, comes the most excellent, Audio Assault label. Produced by label owners Bas Moody and Jeroen Liebregts, the Stamina EP brings us four tracks of pure, unreserved madness. In the original form, “Bitter” is an evil grower of a track with blazing drums, rugged stabs and to ton of dark flavor; while “End” is an absolutely unyielding collection of rough beats and pulsing, relentless energy. The B-side features two outstanding remixes. “Bitter” is taken on by the one and only Glenn Wilson and given his signature thrashing. With eerie, dark stabs, kick ass drums and enough energy to light a small town, this is a pure dancefloor destroyer. Vincent De Wit gets the call on the “End”, and his remix manages to retain the hard edge, while adding a dose of funky flavor. If you are in the market for an EP to wake the dead and rock your dancefloor at the same time…look no further.
****(4 of 5)
Get Points – Elton D (Statik Entertainment-Germany)
Outstanding release from Sao Paulo based Elton D and Germany’s, Statik Entertainment. Side A features two lovely, deep tech house tracks on the sleek, lush side of the genre. With sexy basslines, rich keys and smooth drums, these tracks will fit perfectly in the early part of your set. Side B takes thing up a notch or two, while retaining the expressive vibe. Combining one part Alexander Kowalski and one part, Funk D’Void, Elton lays it down with two outstanding musical techno jams. Definitely a talent to watch in the future; this is a truly amazing release.
*****(5 of 5)
Spin EP – Brian Sanhaji (Definition-Germany)
Hot off his impressive release on Enable, Brian Sanhaji is back with another set of techno destroyers. The title cut brings the ruckus with blazing percussion, repetitive, electro flavored keys and a ton of forward moving energy. “Can’t Slow Down” is next up, with a rough, rugged feel and synth stabs that insistently twist your mind to the breaking point. “Interstellar Journey” is a brutal rocker, while “Fast Impact” (the real gem here) brings it hard and funky, with tension building percussion and a dark, grinding bassline. Only for the headstrong.
***(3 of 5)
Homeless, Hungry and Violent – Tomash Gee (Fak Records-Germany)
Some records are good ways to introduce people that don’t know any better, to a particular sound or style. They are usually not too extreme and they allow the newly initiated listener to get their “feet wet” and slowly get used to what that particular style is all about. In keeping with this advice, if you know someone who knows nothing about techno, my advice is: DON’T play this record for him or her, as they may have a nervous breakdown. Brining the pain like only Tomash Gee can, this record is funky, rough and absolutely relentless. Suitable for ripping apart dance floors at techno festivals or peeling the paint off the walls in your studio; buy this and find out what punishment sounds like.
****(4 of 5)
Nave Sculola EP – Ian Lehman (Mafia-US)
Taking your mind and body on a trip through several disparate styles of modern techno, Ian Lehman drops science on his second release for Portland, Oregon based Mafia Records. “Morte Anima” grinds and groans along with dark kicks, eerie synth stabs and an energy that slowly burns over time. “Placare” is a short, ambient entry useful as an attention grabbing, set starter. “Veemente Efecto” is the first B-side offering, bringing forward shuffling kicks, subtle keys and a ton of atmosphere; while “Agonia” finishes things up, combining funky percussion, eerie stabs and a groovy bassline that drives the entire track forward. This is the stand out cut and the one to drop for maximum dance floor destruction. Another great release from my boys at Mafia.
***(3 of 5)
The 6th Strike – Various Artists (Giant and Dwarf-Gemany)
Continuing with their tried and true formula of releasing tracks from 3 inexperienced producers (the dwarfs) and 1 from an established producer (the giant), Giant and Dwarf drop another excellent record on the techno world. Michael Burkat is at the helm on “Slobber”, as he brings us another winner in his increasing catalogue of tribal techno offerings. But as has often been the case with this label, it is the unknown producers that shine brightest here. “Clappin Thunder” is an old studio project by label bosses Michael Paul and Crazy X-Ray, and is dusted off and remixes for this EP. With a distinctly retro, acid flavor, this track builds and builds to a killer jackin’, Latin infused techno drum track. The flip features “Tribal Adventure” by Terry Barcley, a rippin’, tribal techno romp with forceful percussion and a ton of muscle and the stand out, “Hypnosetot” by Michael Lambert. Gritty, filthy drums, deep bassline and a funky tension-building breakdown, this track is a straight dance floor destroyer.
****(4 of 5)
