Review: With 20 years spent releasing, distributing and representing techno and electro's finest producers, it's fair to say that ePM is a true champion of the underground. That commitment comes into sharp focus on EPM20, which brings together music from all of the Eps that the label released over the past year. The listener is really spoilt for choice: Regis delivers the beautifully ghostly techno of "Beyond The Reach Of Time Pt 1", while Robert Hood keeps the mood mysterious on the aptly named "Shadows". While the compilation spotlights prominent producers, it also showcases artists who sometimes fly under the radar - on this occasion, it's Paul Mac with the drum-heavy "Nothing Remains" and Carl Finlow's nocturnal electro on "Optogenetic". The fact that it's dedicated to the sadly departed Tim Baker is also a lovely touch.
Review: Fresh from unveiling an EP of deliciously jazzy, soul-soaked house and techno jams on Visions Inc, sometime Galaxy 2 Galaxy keyboardist Jon Dixon returns to Underground Resistance's 4evr 4wrd label with an EP packed with guest appearances from fellow Detroit musicians. Moodymann and Kasan Belgrave both feature on opener 'On My Own', a sax-sporting chunk of driving deep-house jazz, while Britt Frappier and Ian Fink make their presence felt on the lusciously drowsy dancefloor deepness of 'Words Can't Express'. Elsewhere, 'How We Get Down (In Detroit)' is bumpin' and spacey in the best possible way, while there are two edits of 'Lisbon Nights': a wonderfully percussive, carnival-ready take by MinorINVENTION and a smoother, jazzier version from Darrius Quince.
Review: As part of Underground Resistance's legendary group Timeline, Jon Dixon has, since 2017, carved out a solo career via Carl Craig's Planet E and his own entrepreneurial 4EVR 4WRD label. Keeping the EP locked in a house and techno framework, get your sprinkles of keys in "While In Lockdown" to some heavy percussion and jazz in "Spider's Pocket". Heading into more linear territory is "12:03 IN 303" with the slightest touches of dub techno which falls nicely into the piano-tipped and bonafide Detroit deep house joint, "Lineage".
Review: The idea that music should stay away from politics is flawed, and Break The Silence is one of the most convincing counter-arguments against this notion. Featuring unreleased tracks donated by a stellar cast of underground electronic music artists, the compilation seeks to raise funds for Campaign Zero, an initiative that campaigns against police violence in the US. With artists like Rob Hood, 4 Hero and Luke Slater all contributing to Break The Silence, the listener really is spoilt for choice while also supporting a great cause. However, the standouts come from Eddie Fowlkes and Jon Dixon, who both drop superb jazz-influenced house tracks.
