Josh Wink

Review: Balls is Wink's first single in many, many years, and it sounds like he is playing homage to his pure techno roots. The "Big Mix" is as its title suggests, a jacking, wiry rhythm festooned with analogue yelps, trancey - with a small 't' - riffs and a grinding, aggressive swing. The 'Groove' version is also inspired by older sounds, with a ravey siren riff and rolling percussion, reminiscent of Masa's "Basscharger", prevailing. The third version - "Groove mix - No Synth" - calls to mind the recent Function reshape of Planetary Assault Systems, with its crashing snares and epic riffs, while the confusingly titled "Big Mix - Radio Edit" revolves around a noisy, acid-soaked breakdown that would indeed require balls to be played on daytime radio.

Review: Ovum owner Josh Wink has long been associated with the 303 sound, and has successfully teased unexpected shapes and styles from the acid box (witness "I Am Ready", "Don't Laugh" and "Higher State of Consciousness"). On this occasion, he opts for a straighter but no less effective approach, as wired acid lines and the signature pitch-bent Wink vocal sample unfold over firing snares. The "Resist-Apella" version sees him opt for a more stripped back version, while on Truncate's remixes, the dominant acid line turns into a bleeding, gurgling life-form, supported by the kind of linear, lead weight rhythm that the US producer has become synonymous with.

Review: Released last year on Wink's own label, "Denial" now gets two reshapes from Luke Slater. The UK techno veteran's first version is as Planetary Assault Systems and sees him push Wink's tweaked acid down a cavernous tunneling groove, accompanied by waves of whooshing filters and spiky, percussive bursts. However, it's Slater's lesser-known alias, LB Dub Corporation, that provides the best interpretation. On this occasion, the beats are rough and less streamlined, the percussion rickety and skeletal and the pulsing bass underpins a vocal that urges the listener to 'live in the future'. Both Wink and Slater may be approaching middle age, but they have more energy than producers half their age.

Review: Ovum's 20th anniversary has been heralded by this very special collection of remixes. Taking on the 1998 classic, techno superstars from across the globe have taken to their artfully darkened studios to create their own version of events, making ten new insights in total. From German techno powerhouse Ben Klock's frighteningly impeccable take to Harry Romero's rather more dancefloor-driven affair; Size 9's minimal injection progresses into an addictive bass loop and My Friend wraps things up with an abstract lesson in sound design, cutting sharp textures and flaccid bass tones to create something totally alien. A must buy.

Review: New York house and techno legend Josh Wink is back with a full EP on his own - and legendary - Ovum label. "Denial" sees the veteran DJ and producer unleash four versions of the track. The "Eyes Closed" mix is twisted and moody thanks to that disjointed vocal sample, the "Prise D'Acid" version is bleeping and rolling, then there's the "Tweak Dub" with its glitchy structure and sinister atmospherics - this one is for the late night antics - and the "Futurepella" for all your DJ tool needs. Live in the future!