Kan Shinomura frequently collaborates with Rennie Foster, but this is his first release for a label other than his own Futago Technologies and man, was it worth the wait. "Miu" starts the ball rolling with its simple yet moving percussion rhythms, trippy keys and silky, opulent undertones. "Circle Dance" is next, with booty-shaking, shuffling beats, soulful organ stabs and tribal-flavored vocal chants. The EP concludes with "Left Behind," a subtle, musically dreamy, Detroit-flavored gem. ****(4 of 5)
Absence/ The Way You Walk (Remixes) – Jay West – Spleen Music (CA)
Hot 4-track EP from Montreal-based Spleen Music. Patrick Turner kicks things off with chunky beats, glitchy analog stabs and a big, round fat bottom end – just the way we like it. The flip brings us the immensely talented East Coast to West Coast transplant Morgan Page with his drop dead stunning re-rub of The Way You Walk. With chunky beats, lush analog keys and a bassline thick enough to cut with a knife, this is an amazing track ready to do work in your late night sets.
****(4 of 5)
Asbestos/ Re:Group – Regis/ Left – Infrastructure (US)
Newest release from NYC-based Infrastructure brings together some very eclectic and interesting sides of the techno world. Cut one is a remix from newcomer Sleeparchive of "Asbestos" by Regis. Dark, evil, minimal and menacing, this is one for those late night excursions. The one that moves me here, however, is the glitchy, clicky, grinder from Re:group on the flip. Re:Group is a collaboration between Regis, Function and Windsor, Ontario-based Kero. Their entry here, "Left," is a simple, minimal techno bomb, complete with subtle rhythms, heavy bassline and a ton of underlying tension. Quality release that will please the hard and minimal crowds alike.
***(3 of 5)
Echelon EP – Greg Gow – Beretta Music (US)
Toronto techno veteran Greg Gow teams up with the ever-consistent Beretta Music crew on this outstanding EP. The "original mix" of the title cut is up first, with chunky tech-house beats, verdant pads and a smooth, silky old school flavor, while the "Kage Remix" adds more straight-ahead beats and an amazing, funked-up bassline that simply rocks. The flip features Greg's "original mix" of Flashback, a forward-moving, techno house track with deep keys and a rolling bassline, and concludes with the muted, musically tripped-out "Ryski Rmx." Beretta is six releases in and they have yet to disappoint. Nice one.
****(4 of 5)
Hi-Tech – I Villasante – Manuke (UK)
OK, I don't know who I Villasante is and I don't have any other EPs from him, but you can rest assured that I will be on the lookout for his stuff from here on out. Disregard the A Side and head directly to the flip. "My Translator M.B." is first and is an absolute DESTROYER. Trippy synths, rolling beats and a tension the rises and engulfs anything and everything in its path. "Pressure" is another bomb, with fierce, gritty drums and off-key, hypnotic stabs that will simultaneously, do your head in and rock your body. Filthy jams for sure.
****(4 of 5)
Cosmic Rock EP – Sebastian Kramer – King Of The Snakes (UK)
Hot off his full-length album "Principles & Tactics," Sebastian Kramer is back with two tracks of trippy, soulful Detroit-flavored techno. "Starsearcher" is the one for me, with building synth stabs, intensifying drums and a ton of rising, tension building energy.
***(3 of 5)
Unwanted/ We Need Air (Remixes) – Rue East – Pure Plastic (UK)
Two classic remixes of Rue East tracks from the past are dusted off, remastered and given new life on release number 2 for Pure Plastic UK. Ben Sims' remix of Unwanted is a simple, loopy techno drum track with blazing rhythms and slow-building hypnotic undertones. The flip is James Ruskin's remix of "We Need Air" and is a truly amazing, Detroit-styled jam. A perfect way to start a moody, melancholy set, or finish off the night. Fantastic release and straight to the top of my chart.
*****(5 of 5)
Ladies And Playboys – Phonogenic – Phonogenic Audio (DE)
Brand new imprint Phonogenic Audio drops three exceptional tracks of bass-heavy, ass-shaking techy monsters. "Idiotics" is a mesmerizing techno mover on the Marco Carola tip. Complete with massive bassline, silky smooth keys and a compelling drum track, this does the business and is the best track of the last few months, by a long shot.
****(4 of 5)