Review: This new label from Warp's digital operation, Bleep, hungrily captures two of the world's most talented techno production duos at the height of their powers. In the UK corner, it's Pariah and Blawan working as Karenn. "Studio 3" is a swampy, bludgeoning affair, its pounding, pummeling beats mixed with a muddy, swampy bassline and some of the most outrageously over the top analogue riffs since Jeff Mills at his prime. In the German corner it's Berlin-based Italian duo The Analogue Cops. "OCPLX1" sounds less upfront because the beats are more lo-fi and not as loud in the mix, but make no mistake about it, the combination of firing percussion and eerie chords are highly effective.
Review: Woof! If you are looking for a massive slab of techno, you won't find anything as hefty as Aphelion. A package of tracks from Belgian label Token, Aphelion is essentially a primer for the best in contemporary techno, featuring contributions from Surgeon, Rodhad, James Ruskin, Karenn and Planetary Assault System alongside some label regulars. You will have probably already heard "Fixed Action Pattern" from Surgeon - it's possibly one of this year's finest techno tracks - but it's got some stiff competition here with Ruskin in particularly funked up form on "No Trace". Aphelion is a real statement and proof of Token's current rank as a European techno powerhouse alongside the likes of Delsin and Ostgut Ton.
