With tight remixes from Stave Nails and Mark Broom; this new release from the manic mind of Locutus, on his Polarized imprint, is sure to do damage. While the remixes are compelling, its the "original" that really does the business for me. Simple, straight-ahead drums with subtle tribal undertones and gritty, grinding percussive stabs make this a forceful rocker. Not a tune that will stop people in their tracks, but as a techno tool, this does the trick.****(4 of 5)
Seniorita Nicotina – DJ Unknown + General Jak Rad 23 (UK)
Sixth release from RAD 23, brings us a hot, acid-fueled trip from DJ Unknown and General Jak. The "NYC Club Mix" is a bottom heavy, tech-house jam with manic vocal samples and a colossal acid bassline. The flip brings a more rock-flavored trip, with the same acid synth line, integrated with grinding guitars and electroclash sensibilities.**(2 of 5)
Warsaw Admixture Series 3 – Various Soleil (PL)
This has five hot tracks from techno genius Peter Echoplex and three hand chosen collaborators. "Deep Red" is up first, pairing Peter with Pacou on a deep, lush departure, complete with warm undertones and a driving drum track. "Cables" from Hiroaki Iizuka is next, with gritty percussion, tension-filled keys and left-of-center body-rocking beats. Side B brings us "Urban Escape" from Ben Browning, a crystal clear drum track with cutting percussive patterns and a lush breakdown. The EP wraps up with two subtle, deep trips including "Warszawa" from frequent collaborators Echoplex and Damon Wild and "Sub Harmonix," a subterranean, rhythmic mover.****(4 of 5)
Tsunami Aid Volume 2 – Various Abiotic Recordings (US)
Sixteen of the world's best techno artists have donated their productions to this 4 EP series from Minneapolis based Abiotic Recordings. Volume 2 features Oscar Mulero, Damon Vallero, Go Hiyama and Ian Lehman and Dustin Zahn in their Attack People guise, bringing us 4 slices of modern day techno. The standout cut on the EP is rough and rugged "Deep Scan" from Damon Vallero, but all 4 tracks are worthy of your attention. Quality.***(3 of 5)
Mentiras EP – Olivier Giacomotto Audio Assault (NL)
With recent releases on Patterns, Iturnem, Mankind and Lupp to name a few, Olivier Giacomotto is surely one of the rising stars in the world of techno. This four track will do nothing but further boost his image and standing on the scene. The title track kicks things off and is an absolute monster. With tension-filled synth stabs, vocal drops and a truckload of energy, this is a full-on techno destroyer of the first degree. The original mix of "Darko Barko" is next, with more ferocious drums and a dark, evil bassline that absolutely destroys. The flip brings us label bosses, Bas Mooy and Vincent de Wit on the remix duties, doing the quaking techno drum thing they do so well. The EP wraps up with "No Respect," another straight-ahead techno mover with simple, beats and a ton of energy. Best EP of the month, by a long shot.*****(5 of 5)
Monosex / Blackhole – Q-Big Deepinrhythm (DE)
Compelling EP from Dusseldorf based Q-Big. "Monosex" is a electro-flavored tech-house mover with riveting rhythms, analog keys and a ton of simple, yet effective flavor. The original version of Blackhole is a undeniable, hypnotic mover that walks the line between progressive house and tech-house nicely. The flip bring us the "Blackwall Remix," a minimal house mover with sparse vocal stabs and nominal instrumentation and the "Rufus Dunkel Remix," a broken beat, almost downtempo affair. **(2 of 5)
Operator – C.I.T. Spoiler (DE)
Simple, filthy, electro-flavored tech house from C.I.T. and Spoiler Berlin. I don't care too much for the vocal version, but the "Eff' mix is a minimal masterpiece, with glitchy beats, tension-filled keys and dark, trippy undertones. The flip brings us "No Mercy," a quirky, Roman Flugel-flavored electro romp and "Suck My Disc," a vocoded retro rocker. Nice EP from front to back.***(3 of 5)
Den Den Den (remixes) – Toktok Toktok Records (DE)
This three-track electro house EP consists of remixes of Den Den Den from Toktok. The standout here is the deep and wonderfully quirky "Electric Indigo & Hautmann Remix," with its stripped-down beats, drop bass and smooth, hypnotic undertones. Not an immediate release, but a track that grows on you over time.**(2 of 5)
Introvex – Thomas Christopher & Steve Payne TCP Recordings (UK)
UK newcomers Thomas Christopher & Steve Payne drop science on this new release for TCP Recordings. "Introvex" is up first, in two diversely different versions. The "Original Mix" is a simple, driving techno mover with a fierce bassline and rocking percussion. Valentino Kanzyani adds his take on things, with a more big room, dance floor friendly mix. Complete with tribal drums, blazing high hats and a ton more energy, this is the mix to rock. The EP concludes with "Beast #5," a trippy, rock influenced jaunt.***(3 of 5)
