Review: 2019 has been a busy year for Tronic, and this compilation provides some of the highlights to date. There's DJ Rush & Eric Sneo's rattling percussive "Take Me Back", which draws on gritty ghetto techno for inspiration, while at the other end of the spectrum, the brilliantly named Drunken Kong duo drop a massive, bass-heavy big room workout in the shape of "Two Rivers". Orbit also provides a reminder of the label's heritage, with the shimmering, tranced out "Tesla" by veteran German artist Oliver Lieb, and Christian Smith's long-time friend and musical collaborator Jon Selway delivering an awesomely moody electro reshape of Nematic's "Pecular".
Review: With an newfound interest around the work of Frankfurt trance legend Oliver Lieb, it's fitting that his latest release comes courtesy of John Digweed's Bedrock imprint. The label head honcho has been a loyal follower of the German's releases for three decades, and who can forget the moment that "Netherworld" by L.S.G. (one of Lieb's more well known aliases) came tearing through on his seminal Northern Exposure 2 mix with sidekick Sasha back in 1997. Lieb's production expertise and knowledge of dancefloor dynamics are on fine display once again on the raw energy of "Red Phosphorus" a seething epic with the most all consuming bassline you'll hear this year, and a sublime array of melodies. This is backed up by the reduced and blissed-out tech house action of "Black Phosphorous and full throttle hypnotic techno banger "Violet Phosphorus".
Review: If you wait long enough, a particular sound is sure to come back in vogue. That's happening right now with trance, as a new wave of DJs and producer discover its charms. Against this renewed interest, the re-appearance of veteran artist Oliver Lieb is timely. As the building chords of "Tesla" demonstrate, he knows how to make evocative sounds, but that's only part of his story. The title track is a building acid-soaked arrangement, led by a churning, queasy bass and waves of crashing percussion. If that is too epic for you, then the veteran German producer delivers, the beautiful, dreamy textures of "String of Pearls".
Review: Tronic's Rockets series reaches its fifth instalment with another fine collection of material from new and established artists. Representing the emerging producers are Klaps, whose "Acid Head" is a wild, peak-time acid track that samples high-pitched vocals; The Southern, who deliver menacing, churning chords and heavier than lead drums on "Mystical Colobraro" and Sonate's relentless, pounding techno groove "Patchwork". Weighing in for the more experienced producers is German veteran Oliver Lieb with the dramatic chord builds of "Tesla" and the tough, detuned techno of Crazy Sonic's "Shining Pumpkins". Christian Smith's label deserves praise for supporting new and established artists alike.
Mono Electric Orchestra - "Neutral Density" - (8:37) 126 BPM
Fairmont - "Brothers Keeper" - (6:50) 123 BPM
Jimmy Van M & Juan Hansen - "Kobalt" - (6:55) 121 BPM
Edu Imbernon - "Indenait" - (9:37) 121 BPM
Quivver - "On & On" - (6:57) 124 BPM
Alan Fitzpatrick - "Vibes" - (8:03) 128 BPM
Reude Hagelstein - "Chromapark" - (6:55) 123 BPM
Review: John Digweed looks back on a terrific year that was 2018 - not to mention the 20th anniversary of his Bedrock label. This last year saw him serve up the Bedrock XX box set, team up with good mate Nick Muir on the terrific "Crazy Diamond" in addition to his awesome Live In Tokyo mix CD - so there's plenty to celebrate. Featured here are some of the year's highlights and exclusives alike by heroes of deep tech house such as: Booka Shade with their moody cruiser "Rosebud", Belgian veteran Jimmy Van M appears several times but is most on-form on "Cobalt", Systematic head honcho Marc Romboy with his impressive sci-fi epic "Cosmo" and the return of trance legend Oliver Lieb on the riveting "Epoxi".
