Aerotecnica Promo 002 – Aerotecnica (Aerotecnica-US)
Second release from US based Aerotecnica, features several slices of funky techno to please your pallet. The “Stryke Blacklight Mix” starts off with tribal influenced drums and a bassline from hell and slow grows and grinds forward as it incessantly works your dancefloor over. It is, however, on the “Original Mix” where this track really shines. 142 beats per minute of driving percussion, funky drums and an old school synth breakdown make this a fantastic way to insert a break in a harder techno set.
***(3 of 5)
Neurobotic EP – Hidden Variable (Kompute-US)
Conceived in Chicago in 1999 by Matt Nee, Brad Sarpalious & Stephen Hitchell, and featuring a line up of artists including Woody McBride, Billy Dalessandro and Soultek (to name a few), Kompute is constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds. On this EP, they work the Electro angel and come up with a rather interesting set of remixes. Kicking things off is label boss, Matt Nee with his signature dark electro clash flavor. While Kill Memory Crash place their harder, rock-influenced stamp on things and Fuk Nostalgia work the old school, electro pop angel. Well done. ***(3 of 5)
Directions EP – Infitek (Berettamusic-US)
Hot to death slice of techno from Detroit based, Beretta Music. Side A kicks off with a blazing remix from man of the moment, Adam Jay. Working things from a slow burn to an absolute frenzy, this is a fantastic transition track from smoother beats to dancefloor devastation. The “original mix” is up next with a haunting synth loop and funky breakdown the burns towards a smoking finish. The flip yields Northbound, served up in two diametrically opposed versions. The “Original mix” works its way through jackin’ rhythms and moving percussion, while the “Ryski mix” finishes up by taking us on a smooth trip through silky Detroit influenced tech house. Outstanding stuff from front to back.
****(4 of 5)
Transcendental Dialectic EP – MDA_Analog (Robb Audio-US)
Brand new New York City based imprint, Robb Audio drops their debut release with this EP. Handing the controls to Canadian producer, Colin McGraw (aka MDA_Analog), this outstanding three track EP features smooth beats, compelling synth riffs and a ton of booty-rocking flavor. “5 HT” kicks off the EP with a smooth, jackin’ effort that would be at home in a Joey Beltram or Umek set; repetitive stabs and building energy that gradually grabs you up and commands you to hit the dancefloor. “Ghetto By Night” is a slow building, Techno House track with a ton of atmospheric stabs and smooth, rising beats, while “Cubit Stream” completes things with trippy, off key sounds and a long, Middle Eastern influenced breakdown. Unique in all the right ways, this is a highly satisfying debut offering.
***(3 of 5)
Mutuality – Noah Pred (Azure Records-US)
Another extraordinary release from ever dependable, Azure Records. Montreal based man of the moment, Noah Pred drops 2 outstanding slices of his signature, smooth, soulful techno flavor including the title cut and “Holding Pace” a rich, lush jaunt that grows and grows as it slowly rips it up. Label boss Adam Jay adds his take on the title cut, taking things to deeper, more tripped out space and infusing a ton of late night, subtlety. The true stand out here however, comes from Indianapolis based Virulent, who contributes an absolutely gorgeous slice of old school style techno. Hotness.
****(4 of 5)
Damaged Goods EP – Futago Technologies (Futago Traxx-US)
Terrific EP from Japan based, Futago Technologies. Opening with “Flightpath” a slow building, old school flavored monster of a track, Futago shows why their list of fans reads like a who’s who of the techno world. Side A continues with “Damaged”, a funky, smile educing, tech house romp with electro vocals and spaced out stabs throughout. The flip takes things in deeper, more experimental directions with break beat influenced “Dogfight” and the darker, melodic “Totsugeki.”
***(3 of 5)
1984 – Dustin Zahn (Enemy Records-US)
Midwest wonder kid, Dustin Zahn is back to add another credit to his growing discography, this time for his own Enemy Records. Kicking things off, “Protection” is a dark, slice of warehouse influenced techno madness. From its tension-building introduction, through its pounding percussion and trial undertones, this track is ready to do damage from the outset. “Much Harder” is an absolute monster of a track, working funky drums, tripped out keys and tribal flavored percussion into a frenzy of a jam. Total destroyer that is doing major damage in my sets. The EP concludes with the title track, a murky, beatless slab of almost industrial darkness, for all your malicious, ambient excursions. Another top release from one of the rising stars of US techno.
***(3 of 5)
