Roman Lindau At Juno Download

Review: Martyn and Roman Lindau are first up on this series of EPs to coincide with Ben Klock's impressive Berghain 04 mix, and it's a must have for fans of deep techno steppers. "Miniluv" sees Martyn delve into the traditional rhythms of 4/4, with an infectious chime groove sounding out over a shuffling etheral techno beat as lasers shoot out from the depths of the prodduction. Roman Lindau gets all moody on us with the industrial "Keppra" the subtle patter of pads barely audible below the shuddering growl of the bass line. One of the best releases so far this year.

Review: In the lead up to Fachwerk's quarter century milestone - an album from Mike Dehnert - the label's main players again share the release duties. Sascha Rydell's contribution is by far the most crossover, centred on a discoy loop and offering a housey version of Fachwerk's sound. Elsewhere, it's business as usual; Roman Lindau's "Plavix" is everything one would expect from the Berlin label, a stripped back techno groove, slightly stepping and swathed in razor-sharp metallic percussion. Dehnert meanwhile, drops the clunky drums and visceral hats of "Avec", which provide the backdrop for a typical chord build. But just as Rydell surprised, so does the label owner and "Traces Of" provides an unlikely mixture of distorted beats and a sassy double bass.

Review: Germany's Fachwerk stable drops a second collaborative EP from label heads Mike Dehnert, Roman Lindau and Sascha Rydell. Entitled, quite simply, Fachwerk EP 2, it follows last year's Fachwerk EP which included tracks from each of the three producers at the centre of the label's quite singular techno vision, which combines crunchy, swung mechanical rhythms with warm, rolling, dubby tones. It's one of several releases which will culminate in the release of the label's 25th release, which we imagine will be something quite special indeed. The EP is as brilliant as you'd expect, with the muscularity of Dehnert's "M10? augmented with vocals that sound like snatches of Arthur Russell, the metallic strings of Lindau's "Grow" and the manic piano groove of Rydell's "When You Play It" all offering solid entries into the label's formidable catalogue. This label is simply on fire at the moment - don't sleep.

Review: Roman Lindau has chosen the title of his new Fachwerk release wisely, as it is the most diverse release on the Berlin label so far. At one end of the spectrum there's "Slow Dope", a laid back shuffle that is briefly reminiscent of Plastikman's "Spastik" played at 33rpm, but which soon morphs into a mellow chord sequence. At the opposite end of the scale there's "Crasse", where a horror-rave bass and abrasive filtering create an intense peak time track. Finally, "Lyrica" is different again, a sparse metallic workout with glistening percussion and a detached, robotic undercurrent. If you're looking for a break from techno purism, then this release is for you.

Review: As far as Basic Channel-inspired techno goes, it sounds like Mike Dehnert has a new rival. Lindau may have a smaller catalogue, but like his other releases, Lot De Deux hits the target with unerring accuracy. "Avide" is subtler than is Fachwerk's wont, its pulsing rhythms and razor sharp percussion supported by swinging drums and a drunken vocal sample. "Sub Suggestion" is tougher and more toolish thanks to its relentless drums and firing percussion, but whatever inherent aggression features is offset by the hypnotic chord stabbing.

Review: Fachwerk signs off on an excellent year in the best way possible - presenting this collection of all new material from label bosses Dehnert, Lindau and Rydell. Roman calls shotgun with the brain matter scraping, gutter punch rhythms of "Hurt" that masterfully crafts the relentless motion from indecipherable vocal fractures. As finely poised as the track is, the A-Side is dominated by the subsequent collaboration between Lindau and Dehnert. "Sophia" is perhaps the most dementedly brilliant production to surface from the Fachwerk studios yet, with the dense swamp of bass and singular drum kicks in the opening bars not really giving prior warning to the thrilling rhythmic mess of saturated acid and panning vocals. Dehnert is in more familiar foundation-pummelling form on the flip with the caustic and unrelenting "Blattwerk" which explodes with colourful textures midway through, whilst Sascha Rydell has the last laugh with the pressurised percussive presence of "It Happened". Big tip!