Release number eight, and the boys from Titanium show no signs of letting up. The “Original Mix” is an utter stormer, with blistering percussion, heavy bass and a ton of destructive power. The flip side features Norwegian wonder kid, Cave on the remix, adding his signature tribal drums, vocal stabs and an absolute monster bassline. Outstanding EP. *****(5 of 5)
Solaris EP – Cess – Audiolove Music (DE)
Following up the successful “Hard Angel” by Davide Squillace, this third release for Audiolove Music once again finds label boss Cess at the controls. The title track starts the ball rolling in an extremely interesting and versatile way. Opening with a slow, building drum track and dark bassline, this track unhurriedly but assuredly, develops into a tough tech house fiend, complete with trippy horns and gripping high hat rides. “In Between” is up next, with groovy rhythms and a long, pressure filled feel that will obliterate any dancefloor. “Eastanbul” finishes the package, with smooth breakbeats and lush, Middle Eastern influenced rhythms. ***(3 of 5)
Vakathx EP – Vestax – Rhythm Convert (BE)
Slovenian newcomer Vestax is given the ball here, and the resulting mayhem is nothing short of spectacular. “Becvez” starts things off, in raging fashion with compelling rhythms, murky bassline and vocal chants abound. From the first drop to the last, this is a peak time demolisher that should be huge with DJs near and far. The B Side features “Looperman’s Friends”, a left-of-center, tribal excursion and “Pizza Te Redi”, a rave style broken beat track, that would fit perfectly in a retro, breakbeat techno set. Unreal debut from Vestax and another top release from Marco Bailey, Tom Hades, Redhead and the Rhythm Convert collective.****(4 of 5)
Sketch 6 – Davide Squillace – Sketch (IT)
Continuing the string of class releases, Naples techno master Davide Squillace is back with release 6 on his most excellent Sketch Music label. Picking things up in that groovy techno place that he is most comfortable, Davide drops another soulful grower of a track. Slow building percussion, deep keys and a sexy, loopy bassline combine to miraculous effect. As means of smoothing things out in the middle of a set, or establishing a soulful vibe early on, this is a top-notch production. The flip side features the brilliant Gaetano Parisio on the remix, adding his hypnotic, harmonious take on things. Another outstanding package from Sketch.
****(4 of 5)
Left Foot/ Right Foot – Unknown – Boot Recordings (UK)
Arriving from unknown origins (word on the street is that this is Jel Ford and Fergie in disguise this cheeky two-track stormer takes on a couple of dance music classics and comes up trumps. “Left Foot” attacks old school wizard, Frank DeWulf, combining the original acid style keys from one of his classic tracks, with pumped up percussion and a ton of funky, moving flavor. The flip confronts Detroit techno classic “The Chase” by Model 500 (aka Juan Atkins.) Using much of the original instrumentation, and blending it with forward driving tension, this is a hot way to rock this classic in a present-day techno set. ****(4 of 5) [p]
[I]A Star[/I] – [b]Mark Williams[/b] – Macumba (UK) [br]
Outstanding 4-track EP from the master of the tribal techno genre, Mark Williams. “A Star” kicks things off, with funky rhythms, swirling, trippy keys and soulful vocals, while next up, “What’s”, brings us a smoking, shuffling tribal techno jaunt. Subtle keys, trippy stabs and a slow building, almost broken beat drum track come together on this remarkable track. The B Side brings us “Hard Love”, a pumped up tribal outing, complete with vocal chants and motivating drums and “Shake It”, an utterly marvelous track. Hot, funky beats, vocal chants and luxuriant, bottomless pads unite to make this one of my favorite tracks of the moment. Inspiring as always.
*****(5 of 5) [p]
[I]It’s All Over[/I] – [b]Mark Williams[/b] – Macumba (UK) [br]
Release three for Mark Williams and his mighty Macumba imprint, finds the tribal drums and vocal chants back where they comfortably belong. “It’s All Over” leads off, with a straight-ahead, techno drum track, completed with slow rising vocals, horns stabs and dynamic drums. “Memory Lane” sets offt Side A with more blazing drum programming and lush, old school influenced pads. The flip brings us “Latin 9”, a funky Samuel Sessions style tech house mover, with hot drums, deep bass and sexy, salsa vocals and “Dance All Night”, simple, tribal techno romp. Another outstanding release, worth of your attention. ****(4 of 5)[p]
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