Artist: Julian Jeweil Title: Color Label: Cocoon Germany Genre: Techno Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
French producer Julian Jeweil makes his debut for German techno trailblazers, Cocoon. Sven Vath’s imprint deliver three original Jeweil productions that immediately lent themselves to the sound of the Frankfurt label.
Having been an important player on Marseille’s building electronic music scene for over the last six years, Julian Jeweil is beginning to achieve global success. Signing to Cocoon has given him the chance to outstretch his reach even further as he continues to grow his ever expanding fan base. With “Color,” he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and delivered three tracks that not only stand up to highly esteemed label, but continues to push it further.
Building on 2006’s bona fide hit “Air Conditionné” EP on Skrytom with remixes for and collaborations with people such as Tiesto, Umek, Sébastien Léger and Oxia has put the Frenchman in a promising position. Perfect timing for him then that he gets a Cocoon release just months before the 2010 Ibiza season. Fittingly, all three tracks on this release would suit the huge dancefloors of the White Isle. “Color” sizzles beneath the surface before swirling synths and pulsating basslines collide. You can almost hear the ice cannons firing during these drops and then easing off again as the track strips down to its pure techno bones before building itself up again. “Amore” builds more subtlety at first but some bigger breaks take over the FX and atmospherics in what turns out to be a techno juggernaught. Finishing the release is the bass driven “Soho.” Hand claps and post acid sounds swash above some deep murmurings of sub bass, building tension until super thrusts of uncompromising techno bass send the track into overdrive.
You just get the sense that these are important times for Julian Jeweil. However, if he continues to work to the standards set in this release then we are likely to be seeing more and more of this techno star in the making.
Marcel Dettmann, resident DJ at current world mecca of techno clubs, Berlin’s Berghain produces no-nonsense, deep thumping proper techno. His remixes in the past for Fever Ray, Modeselektor, and Scuba have elevated the originals with a vital sense of tech edginess.
Dettmann Remixed is a prelude to his forthcoming debut album on Ostgut Ton, Berghain’s in house imprint which has recently released phenomenal tracks by techno luminaries Ben Klock, Basic Soul Unit, and Levon Vincent. These four remixes of original non-album tracks by his close friends Norman Nodge and Wincent Kunth are very personal and individual interpretations of the music Marcel Dettmann has turned into the sound of Berghain.
Nodge’s mix of “Shift” is a straight-up tech workout with repetitive crackling vinyl sounds to lure you in as they become a mantric part of the percussion. “Unrest” is wicked throwback to the grainy minimal techno reminiscent of Surgeon and Regis- you know, before minimal got so clicky and clean. Throw this track on to school anyone new or seasoned on the way to create a no-gimmicks, techno-induced dancefloor.
Kunth’s two remixes veer more to the abstract side, but never lose sight of its 4:00am dancefloor intentions. “Wound Up” is a killer track with dubby wash sounds that your feet will know what to do with once your mind catches up and processes it. Choice cut! Dettmann Remixed is a recommended tasty appetizer for the main album which drops in April.
Jeff Mills has dabbled in a range of musical styles during an illustrious career – from the soundtrack interpretation of Fritz Lang’s masterpiece ‘Metropolis’ to his collaboration with the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra – but never shall we forget he made his name with driving, unapologetic techno.
This release, the second on his fledgling Something In The Sky imprint, fits somewhere in between. On the a-side we see a couple of tracks (titled “Track 1″ and “Track 2″ respectively) that hark back to the Wizard of old: pulsating, underground techno. On the flip, tracks 3 and 4 see Sir Jeff’s love for experimentation coming to the fore, with two slices of melodic, spooky electronica. Here sonic pulses and spacey sytnths come to the fore.
The visual aesthetic to his new imprint is symbolic of Mills the man and artist. After all, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. We all know where Mills is looking.
Pascal Feos is without doubt one of the most experienced techno producers around. Generally considered to be one of the founding fathers or German techno, Feos is fast approaching twenty-five years on the scene. Terra Bong, his fourth artist album, highlights his creativity and versatility but whilst staying within his signature techno sound. Released on his own label, Level Non Zero, this full length delivers all the class and quality as affirmation of that wealth of experience that lies within the Frankfurt native.
Not one to be swayed by the latest trends in club music, Pascal Feos drops an entire long-player devoid of the influences of minimal or the latest string of tech-house, setting it apart from most techno albums straight away. Instead, all the tracks lend themselves full heartedly to the dancefloor. They are unmistakably tracks for the club, as unrelenting and breathless as they are hypnotic. Perhaps deeper and more refined that his previous offerings, this album has a distinct nod to sounds of Detroit and Chicago that have always inspired the veteran German producer. Taking in sounds that are reminiscent of ten years ago, but mixing them with modern techno gives the album a sleek feel whilst allowing Feos’ experiences over the last quarter century to seep out amongst the tracks.
Not afraid of using funky grooves and melodies throughout the album, the mix flows as he builds atmosphere towards darker, trippier and almost proggy territory.
Fans of Non Zero have become accustomed to releases of super deep, hypnotic techno that drives its way through a purposeful and positive journey. Terra Bong is no different, doing exactly that from start to finish.
Artist: Confetti Bomb Title: MDMemily Label: Autoreply Genre: Techno, Minimal House/Tech House Format: 12″, Digital Buy From:Juno Records, Juno Download
London-based deep techno producer Confetti Bomb drops this three track EP on his own Autoreply imprint. The fledgling label has already released material from some heavy house/techno artillery – Baby Ford, Jerome Sydenham and Ed Davenport to name a few.
We’re not sure if title track “MDMemily” is more suited to a peak time floor or an after hours hide-out – which probably means it will do just fine at both. It’s dark and spooky, with a metallic thud that commands your attention. This is followed by “Fladdermus”, which some light internet sleuthing revealed is Swedish for ‘bat’. Coming in with a slightly more subdued beat than “MDMemily”, this fits snugly into the category marked ‘slow burner’. And just went you’ve been lulled into submission, in comes a cavernous, echoing drop.
“Panic in Room 2”, we are reliably informed, is written with the sound system of a certain London clubbing institution in mind. It’s deep, brooding, dark and clunky – in other words, exactly what one wants to hear at stupid o’clock in Farringdon.
Artist: Danton Eeprom Title: Yes is More Label: Infine France Genre: Techno, Minimal House/Tech House Format: 12″, Digital Buy From:Juno Records, Juno Download
In 2008 I saw the spectacle of a man in a white leather suit and shades distorting his vocals over his own glitchy, techy beats while flinching about on stage like a distressed penguin. I was absolutely impressed with this performance from the man known as Danton Eeprom. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to do a review for the wacky, eccentric London-based Frenchman’s debut full length album thinking I was going to hear a collection of odd, quirky dance floor tracks. Well, let’s just say Eeprom, unpredictable as always, went beyond my expectations by cooking up a uniquely beautiful album of eclectic catchy, dare I say- songs. Oh, don’t get me wrong…the odd quirk factor is still there, but wrapped in a frantic yet serene concoction of songs that sound equally awesome in the headphones as they would on the dance floor. “Confessions of an Opium Eater”, “Unmistakably You” and “Tight” will be sure to get even the most lethargic dance floor moving (even North American ones). “Give Me Pain” starts with an accordion riff before giving way to a dirty bassline, sexy beat and later a burst of horns that all complement the trademark lusty vocals of Eeprom fans have come to love.
Eeprom has a sound all his own, but if you really need to have a comparison picture the weirder side of Matthew Dear’s techno combined with the breezy electronic pop of Air. Having done stunning remixes for artists as diverse as Royksopp and Simian Mobile Disco as well as collaborating with tech-house master Radio Slave on the massive “Grindhouse”single, Yes is More truly reflects Eeprom’s penchant for pushing boundaries. For some added “wtf-value”, there’s even a great cover Sister Sledge’s disco classic “Lost in Music”.Oh yeah, and the last three cuts have to be some of the warmest moments of indie/electronic in 2010 so far. For real.
Artist: K Alexi Shelby Title: I Can Go Vol 1 Label: Detelefunk Belgium
Genre: Techno
Format: Digital Buy From: Juno Download
One of the true legends of Chicago, Keith Alexi Shelby has been making deep and delicious house music since the glory days of the late 80’s. Under a myriad of different guises (usually just different spellings of his name), he’s turned out consistently big, jacking dirty techno for years, having collaborated with some of the best names in the business – Felix Da Housecat, Derrick May, Paul Johnson – to name but a few.
This new release on Detelefunk showcases a variety of mixes of lead single “I Can Go”, and they’re all essential if you like your techno deep and funky, with more than a hint of the old-school about it. The Tec Soul mix does exactly what it says on the tin – a hard and winding techno treat. The Raudive mix is even better, chopping up the Blake Baxter-esque vocals brilliantly and adding some grimey claps. But the real jewel in the crown is the 11 minute full length Chicago House mix, which uses the song’s orgasmic female vocals to devastating effect, a perfect counterpoint to Alexi’s deep, bassy tones. It’s long and entrancing, and like the single as a whole, perfect for fans of Marshall Jefferson, DJ Sneak and ‘Lil Louis.
The legendary Soma Records’ label owners and founders, Slam present their exclusive mix for Juno Plus. Kicking off with Bart Skils aka District One’s remix of Mark Broom & Mihalis Safras’s “Crabsticks”, their mix also features Ramon Tapia and Gel Abril Remixes and Alan Fitzpatrick alongside their own “Hot Knives” track as remixed by Gary Beck, taking us through a journey of driving tech-house and groove-filled techno.
The man sometimes known as As One or Esoterik (to name just a few of his many alter egos) returns with the Swarm EP, bringing his truckload of influences and experience with him. His A.R.T label (Applied Rhythmic Technology) has previously released early work by legendary artists like Aphex Twin and Carl Craig, and this release won’t damage that lofty reputation one bit.
As a former soul-boy and rare groover, Degiorgio brings something different to his Detroit-leaning techno excursions, as seen on “A Way of Life” which combines beautifully arpeggiated keys and life-affirming chords to keep you locked in the for the ride. While “A Way of Life” is an airy cosmic odyssey, “Swarm” is heavier and more pumping, with some dark textures laid over a driving beat that’ll keep the floor working easily.
Final track “Distant Realm” keeps the hi-hats high and adds some distantly modulating pads for texture, all the while keeping the vibe peak-time and club friendly. It’s obvious that a journeyman of Degiorgio’s calibre has picked up some tricks over the years, but when it sounds as good as this, it’s almost as though he’s showing off.
German techno producer Pantha Du Prince (pictured) will be joined by the likes of James Holden, Phoenix, and Joker at this year’s Field Day festival in east London’s Victoria Park.
Artist: Ken Ishii Title: Daybreak Reprise – Sunriser Remixed Label: 70 Drums Japan Genre: Techno Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
Out on the techno veteran’s 70 Drums label, this is a collection of remixes from highly regarded Japanese producer Ken Ishii. For 16 years now, Ishii has been producing Detroit-influenced techno that carries with it a strong retrofuturistic flavour that harks back to Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra. He’s also soundtracked the movie Pi, and had the strange but undeniably cool honour of composing music for the opening ceremony of the Winter Games.
His own mix of “Sunriser” is a pleasantly mellow and more introspective journey, whereas the FLR’s Vox Rise remix is much more pumped and hyped-up, with an awesome breakdown and some added vocal samples that don’t distract from the original’s dreamy mood.
Sometime Ishii collaborator 7th Gate does wonders with “Organised Green”, mixing up genres with tons of style to create something that either Underworld, Shinichi Osawa or Barry White would be proud of. Belgian producer Fabrice Lig also has a lot of fun with the same tune, keeping the original’s distinctive modulating lead sound and adding some nice tech touches and a vocal for good measure. All the mixes on bring something truly fresh to Ken Ishii’s work and certainly won’t disappoint fans.
Artist: Martyn Title: Is This Insanity? (Remixes Part 2) Label: 3024 Genre: Dubstep/Grime, Techno Format: 12″, Digital Buy From:Juno Records, Juno Download
The second set of remixes of Dutch producer Martyn sees three more top names take on songs from the incredible Great Lengths album. As a digital exclusive, UK Funky star Roska takes on one of the biggest tunes from the album, “These Words”. Dropping the tempo down a little, Roska adds his distinctive beats to the track, which work well with the vocal courtesy of dBridge. The effect is funky, but still retains the ghostly and moving vibe of the original.
German Ben Klock also puts a haunting Minimal edge on “Is This Insanity?” Losing the tabla drums but keeping the husky vocal from Spaceape, Klock’s arrangement is thrillingly sparse and perfect, and a nice departure from the Martyn original. Manchester’s Illum Sphere, who’s been getting attention from Radio 1 to Radiohead of late, also does a neat job with the epic “Brilliant Orange”, adding some tastefully off-kilter and hypnotic beats to the originally dry, beatless track. Some essential remixes from an already classic album.
Artist: Pantha Du Prince Title: Black Noise Label: Rough Trade Genre: Minimal House/Tech House, Techno Format: 12″ (2xLP), CD, Digital Buy From: Juno Records (CD, vinyl), Juno Download
Hendrik Weber aka Pantha du Prince returns with his follow-up to the much acclaimed This Bliss avec Black Noise and it does not disappoint. With chimes and marimba acting as aural touchstones throughout, Black Noise shows the further evolutions of Weber’s melodic-robotic dichotomy and his penchant for deep and infectious bass. And speaking of infectious, “Stick To My Side”, Weber’s collaboration with Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox will leech itself into your memory banks and have you humming and singing it for days. It’s a truly great crossover hit that is just as groovy as it is catchy, and will no doubt help Pantha gain some new listeners.
Beyond that, tracks like “The Splendour”, “A Nomad’s Retreat”, and “Satellite Sniper” are amazing 4/4 burners that build carefully and envelop you in lush tones and Detroit-tinged techno beats. There’s much more warmth to Black Noise than This Bliss, and it’s somewhat reminiscent of The Field’s second album in its execution and musical aesthetic.
Weber seems a bit of a Byronic Romantic. The concept of the album stems from a trip to the Swiss Alps with some musician friends to record sounds and philosophize about music, technology, and silence. Next door to where they were staying was an enormous pile of debris, the remains of a landslide that had buried an entire village, and this is where the album’s concept was born – with the notion that ‘black noise’ is heard like a sonic omen before a natural disaster.
The second half of the album is more sedate, yet still no less compelling. The last two songs “Im Bann” and “Es Schneit” are warm and melodic come down tracks, the closer working those chimes into a subtle frenzy before dissipating like smoke in the air. Black Noise is another excellent release from Pantha du Prince, and a great start for electronic music in 2010. Dig it.
Artist: Various Title: Soma Compilation 2010 Label: Soma Genre: Techno, Minimal House/Tech House Format: CD, Digital Buy From:Juno Records, Juno Download
Glaswegian techno imprint Soma had a stomping 2009. In addition to The Black Dog’s critically acclaimed album and the success of both Slam and Silicone Soul, Soma also had contributions on the label from Joris Voorn, Samuel L. Session and Itamar Sagi. Judging by the wealth of talent on this compilation, 2010 looks set to be a continuation of their superb work.
Established in 1991, Soma has been instrumental in Scotland’s techno scene, pushing the likes of Slam, Funk D’Void and Silicone Soul on their way to the international stars that they have become. Still today, they manage to remain ahead of the game and their 2010 compilation showcases this in emphatic style.
This edition of their annual label compilation both looks back at their last year and then also on into the future. Joris Voorn and D’Julz are both on remixing duty for Slam tracks. Voorn takes on the label bosses’ “Ghost Song” whereas D’Julz’s dub of the classic “Positive Education” finds its way into the middle of the mix. Other established artists come in the form of Christian Prommer, The Black Dog and Funk D’Void. In keeping with their ethos of pushing up and coming talent, the highly touted Gary Beck and Harvey McKay both make an appearance before the compilation is closed by a remix courtesy of Warp’s Autechre.
Soma has always released well selected, relevant and forward thinking compilations. Their 2010 bumper edition is no different. It not only celebrates their superb 2009, but also goes some way to showing us what we can expect for the forthcoming year. Dancefloor here we come!
Check out the video for Danton Eeprom’s epic house jam “Give Me Pain”, from the London-based Frenchman’s debut album, out February 12 on InFine Records.
Deep, funky Detroit techno has always been the name of the game for the insanely underrated producer extraordinaire, Anthony “Shake” Shakir. You’ve all heard everything there is to know about the pioneers of Detroit techno- Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May; but “Shake” played a huge part in the development of what’s often referred to as the second wave of Detroit techno (which included Carl Craig, Underground Resistance, Jeff Mills, etc.).
While his peers were forging superstar DJ careers in Europe and beyond, Shakir chose to keep things grassroots by churning out inventive, forward thinking tracks on his own Frictional label as well as on Puzzlebox records, the electro label co-run with Detroit’s Keith Tucker. Just as how Rush Hour Records resurrected the works of fellow, often underappreciated Detroit techno pioneer, Kenny Larkin (The Chronicle, 2008), Frictionalism 1994-2009 provides a rich history lesson with this comprehensive collection of 35 tracks from the last 15 years.
Shakir’s wide-ranging influence on the evolution of techno, house, and electro is on fine display. The syncopated, stuttering beats of “Spectre”and“Simpatico” clearly conjure up a dubstep blueprint years ahead of its time, yet still sound so vitally fresh.
Many classics including “Breathe Deeper”, “Get a Feeling”, and “The Floor Filler”are here in full glory with their lush keys and warm, emotive beats to remind us all how truly amazing the deeper side of techno can get…straight up Detroit style!
Apparently this retrospective is paving the way for future releases from Shakir who plans to start producing more tracks on Frictional this year. This is an absolute must-have for everyone from the seasoned techno connoisseur to the newer generation curious to know where the true motor city sound came from and where it’s heading.
Talented Croatian techno producer Jolka wraps up a landmark year by talking to Juno Plus about his top tunes of 2009. Davor O, Planetary Assault Systems and the Marcel Dettmann/Shed collaboration Deuce all come into the reckoning, as does his own debut 12″, The Jolka Experience.
With a career spanning two decades, Luke Slater is woven inexorably into the fabric of modern day techno. This year saw the release of the new a much awaited Planetary Assault album on Ostgut Ton, which was rapturously received in most quarters. Slater continued touring his live show this year whilst juggling DJ dates and remixes, even finding time to compose a special hour long piece for the Staats Ballett in Berlin. Juno Plus picked Luke’s brain about his favourite tunes from 2009.
German producer Pantha Du Prince, the first ever techno act to be signed to the inimitable Rough Trade label, will release an album on the imprint in February 2010.
Apart from producing immaculate, thought-provoking techno, Kiki, aka Helsinki-born, Berlin based Joakim Ijäs, is a qualified architect, graphic designer and – by all accounts – quite the cook (just ask Marcel Dettmann and Anja Schneider). Juno Plus spoke to one of techno’s quiet achievers about a landmark year.
