Techno 12” Single Reviews for Dancemusic.com – October 20, 2004
Collabs 300 – Chris Liebing vs. Speedy J – Novamute (DE)
After several highly successful and critically acclaimed performance during 2004 (including a smoking affair at Movement in Detroit), Chris Liebing and Speedy J finally get around to pressing some of that pain they are famous for, onto vinyl. “Trikco” is first and like a car that starts in 4th gear, it gets down to the meat of the matter and never lets up. Driving percussion, industrial tinged stabs and blazing tension that just engulfs everything in its path. The flip features “Treflon”, a simple, repetitive hard tech house mover with dark vocals, eerie bassline and a ton of evil tension. Both tracks are worthy of your attention.*****(5 of 5)
Devious Turnip EP – Dubloner – Headinghome Recordings (US)
Dubloaner (aka Ken Gibson) returns with another three track EP on California based, Headinghome Recordings. “Blurry Udder” leads off with a deep, dubby rhythm track full of subtle percussion, lush pads and an odd, almost swing beat feel. It gradually grows and progresses along the way and finishes as a funky, forward moving tech house affair. “Wrapper Turnip” is up next with a glitchy, sexy flavor that is perfect for moving the early part of a set. Deep bassline, trippy keys and a ton of atmosphere make this a minimal mover of the first degree. The EP wraps up with “Confusion Test”, a slightly more driving track, living comfortably on the edge of hard tech house and techno. With its moving drums and hypnotic synth loops, it is a great way to transition from a deeper part of your set, towards full on dancefloor destruction.
****(4 of 5)
Futuristic Throwback EP – The Underground Track Master – Mix Media (US)
Blake Baxter and Abe Duque team up on this eclectic 4 track EP. “313 Let’s Go” is a outstanding funky, drum and bass styled jam, with hot bassline and Blake’s signature vocal stylings, while “Futuristic Throwback” is an electro influenced, affair with video game bassline and a ton of flavor. The B Side gets back to the 4 on the floor style that Abe is known for and shows his true production wizardry. “Battle Cry” features a hot, sexy tech house groove with Blake showing his stuff, speaking about many of the veterans of the hip house/hip hop scene and simultaneously working the dancefloor into a frenzy. “Kitty Kat” rounds things out with a suggestive rant about ‘hitting that kitty kat”, on top of a hot, Nina Sky influenced rhythm track.
****(4 of 5)
Infernal Machine (Chris Liebing Remix) – Realistic – Vandit (DE)
Further proof that the worlds of techno and trance are coming closer together, this release finds a Chris Liebing remix on Vandit, a German trance label owned by Paul Van Dyk. Originally released in 2000, this epic trance mover is given a full on, rough and rugged reworking by Mr. Liebing. While this is not a collaboration that I would have imagined working, the resulting monster is just what the doctor ordered and a tune that will find a home in the sets of trance and techno DJs alike. ****(4 of 5)
Metamorphosis of Narcotics (2004 Remixes) – Twister – RAD 23 (UK)
In 1995, Twister (aka DJ Paul Edge and Mike Odd) released the original of this track, which was licensed to Belgian label Nitric and went on to become one of the biggest selling records of the year. On this re-release, John Selway is enlisted to add his take on things, as well as the original and two new interpretations from Twister themselves and Paul Edge on his own. While there is no denying the inspirational and uplifting elements present in each remix, it is the Original mix, with its tech trance sensibilities, that truly shines brightest. Not quite as exciting as it was 10 years ago, this is still a very solid release***(3 of 5)
