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Radio Slave
ANNA/Various
Strobe Queen (Remixes)PREORDER
Various
Review: The second RSPX compilation picks up where the first volume left off, with a focus on crafty house and techno jams. This aesthetic is at the heart of the raw, jacking groove of Radio Slave's "F__k Em" and "This Is Our Groove" a hypnotic, minimal house workout from Rekids regular Confidential Recipe and Lady Tazz. It's also audible on the compilation's techno contributions: Slam's "Beat Control" sees the Soma duo infuse a looped groove with insistent, pitch-bent vocal samples and V111's "East Sex Rave" is a rousing, chord heavy affair. Meanwhile, Markus Suckut's "Flux" takes inspiration from Octave One's primal funk to bring the compilation to a mesmerising climax.
Various
Review: In a short space of time, the RSPX series has become a key part of the Rekids imprint. More broadly, the releases are essential for discerning techno DJs. This compilation shines a light on why RSPX enjoys this status. Mark Broom's "Late Night Rave Muncher" is a diva vocal-led, high energy club banger, while Klint's "Mustang" achieves the same impact by different means. Focused on a rolling groove, filtered vocals weave in and out of the arrangement. That's not to suggest that the series is all about banging techno. Gene Richards Jr's "Take Control" is a superb, Chicago influenced jacker, powered by a primal groove and piledriving claps, while Philippe Petit's "Form & Function" resounds to eerie organs and a shuffling rhythm.
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: After delivering a breakthrough remix of DJ Seinfeld's 'Tell Me One More Time' earlier in the year, rising star Mona Yim (real name Simona Melzer) has been given a chance to release her debut single proper on Radio Slave's Rekids imprint. She's offered up two original productions: 'Gotta Do This, Gurl', a wonderfully tactile and dreamy chunk of tech-tinged house featuring her own (effects laden) vocals, and the more percussive, spaced out and sub-heavy outsider house jam 'Dots Obsession'. Radio Slave provides remixes of both, first laying down a crunchy, breakbeat-driven take on 'Gotta Do This, Gurl', before giving 'Dots Obsession' a darker, driving and more druggy-sounding techno spin.
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: German techno titan Dustin Zahn and British veteran Radio Slave (real name Matt Edwards) are undoubtedly musical brothers-in-rhythm, with both famed for the wonkiness of their productions and DJ sets. Because of this, it's not that surprising that they've finally joined forces in the studio. 'Twilo', the lead cut from the pair's collaborative EP, brilliantly pays tribute to the dark, druggy, driving, late-'90s house sound that made the New York venue of the same name one of the most celebrated clubs in the world. They present it in two different forms, with the original mix - which boasts soulful, effects-laden vocal snippets - arguably the more alluring of the pair. Those who like ridiculously heavy techno beats, ten-ton bass and warehouse-ready riffs will also love bonus cut 'Power Muzik'.
Review: To mark the two hundredth release on Rekids, Radio Slave has teamed up with the legendary DJ Hell for a new project, Radio Hell. Given both artists' history and experience, it's no surprise that the release is distinctive. The title track is a jacking affair that takes influence from Steve Poindexter's gritty rhythms but then adds droning textures and a robotic vocal sample to the equation. On "Lost Souls", the pair's deep knowledge is to the fore again, with a bubbling groove underpinning blissed out Detroit synths and murky vocal samples. Delivered with artwork from Alan 'DJ T 1000' Oldham, this release is unmissable.
Played by: Juno Recommends Minimal Tech
Review: Matt Edwards aka Radio Slave is back, and his latest release on REKIDS is a new project with Berlin by way of New York City electroclash icon Larry Tee as The Royal Academy Of Fierce, who serve up the driving and hypnotic ballroom energy of "Fashion Queen" with vocals by Justin Vivian Bond (Kiki And Herb, PantyChrist, and more vogue referencing motifs are featured on the steely stomp reduction of "Black Pussy's Revenge" where the veteran producers team up with with Tee's longtime collaborator Tobell Von Cartier.
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Stay Out All Night is Radio Slave's 2020 musical paean to the pleasures of raving back in the day, so who better to rework it than Carl Cox. In a rare remix outing, the dance music veteran stays close to the original, but adds in hypnotic horn stabs, repetitive vocal samples and rolling break beats. Interspersed with vinyl spin-backs, Cox's version is sure to have cross-generational appeal, including the ravers who grew up with his DJ sets, right through to those who have just been introduced to him thanks to this remix. There's also a fine, rolling drum'n'bass reshape included from Metalheadz legend Commix.
Played by: DJ Mau Mau, Juno Recommends Techno, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat), Disruptive Pattern Material
Review: Matt Edwards dives deep into the early 90s on the title track of his latest release. The doubled-up claps and jacking rhythm of "Acid Dip" teem with Sound Factory-style squeals and laser beam rave riffs, with Edwards providing muscular, grungy bass to support the combination. Meanwhile, on "Armani", the Rekids boss pushes in a different direction: centred on a frazzled, pulsating bass, the arrangement sees him blend steely percussion with dense, textured layers, muffled vocals and acid blips. It may not be as intense as the work of the Chicago producer referenced in the title, but "Armani" will still have a devastating dance floor impact.
Review: Some excellent all-star action here, as Amberoom (AKA Manuel Tur and Adrian Hoffman) join forces with scene stalwart Blakkat and LA artist Babygirl for a first joint single on Crosstown Rebels. In its' original form, 'Forces of Nature' is attractive and intoxicating in original measure, with soulful lead vocals riding bubbly synthesizer lines, undulating synth-bass and a stripped-back rhythm track. The headline remixes come from Radio Slave, who delivers two 'New Age of Love' reworks. The first is dreamy and loved-up, delivering a 21st century update on the funky breakbeat house sound of the early '90s, while the second is a hip-hop tempo take that's every bit as alluring. To complete the EP, Blakkat and Lucas Forta re-invent 'Forces of Nature' as a deep, Latin-tinged chunk of jazz-house hedonism.
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Following on from his evocative, at times rave-tinged material in 2020, Radio Slave returns underground for this heads-down EP. Similar in style and approach to the recent Floorplan material on Rekids, this four-tracker is punctuated by robust bass drums, spiralling chord sequences and militaristic percussion. "Variations V1", with its ticking hi-hats and doubled up claps, gets the EP off to a rousing start, while on the "V2", Matt Edwards takes the intensity down for a broken beat affair that has echoes of Fachwerk's catalogue. It's only a brief reprieve, however; "V3" is a storming affair, led by billowing chords and dense kicks, while the fourth and final version resounds to ominous synth stabs and niggling percussion.
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Radio Slave/Various
Agoria - "Speechless" (feat Carl Craig & La Scalars - radio Slave Panorama Garage remix feat Thomas Gandey) - (11:05) 124 BPM
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Matt Edwards originally released this EP under the Silent Witness moniker last year, and now re-issues it under his more widely-known Radio Slave alias. Inspired by the sound of early 90s bleep techno, the title track is based on a robust, lean rhythm track and features an eerie, repetitive tonal sequence that weaves its way through the arrangement. These elements make for an evocative track that never strays into retro territory. "Year of the Snake" sees Edwards opt for a slower tempo: while still drawing on the UK sound that gave the world artists like LFO, this time the bleeps unfold against the backdrop of mysterious synths and chugging, clanging percussion.
Played by: Johnnypluse, Juno Recommends Techno, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat), G-Blaster (Memorie Cluster), Theta state, Alioscia Mele, Craig Walker
Review: Matt Edwards departs from the script for his latest Radio Slave material. Taking influence from old school hardcore and a cut and paste production approach, on "Stay Out.." he delivers twitchy, good-time break beats that are full of hip-hop and soulful vocal samples. It's quite a departure for the creator of linear techno tracks like "Grindhouse" and "Another Club". On "Wait A Minute", Edwards returns to the techno realm; while still containing a repetitive vocal sample that intones the track's title, the rattling percussion, tough kicks and driving rhythm all come together to form a deadly effective big room techno track.
Various
Review: This is not the first compilation to drop whose sole aim is to raise funds for NHS Chartities Together - R&S Records and Bass Agenda both delivered similarly epic sets - but "Care4Life" may well be the strongest and most diverse. As you'd expect, each one of the 45 tracks is previously unreleased, and the cast list reads like a who's who of dance music culture. Notable highlights include an ultra-deep, saucer-eyed number from Daniel Avery, an unheard rework of the Chemical Brothers' "Catch Me I'm Falling", a superb revision of Harvey's Locussolus project by Kiwi, Matthew Herbert in jazzy broken beat mode, a rare solo outing from Optimo's JD Twitch, a rip-roaring rave workout from Jas Shaw, and thumping peak-time bangers from Dusky, Eats Everything and Patrick Topping.
Review: Radio Slave is releasing his second album in three phases - and this first volume of Radio Silence sure to impress techno fans of all persuasion. This is largely due to the fact that the Rekids boss has drawn inspiration from a myriad of sources; these include Jeff Mills at his most esoteric for the swirling sound scales of "Ghost" and the break beat driven "Cell", while on "Contact", he opts for a visceral, grubby techno banger. On "Zqu", we get to hear Radio Slave at his most intense, with a pounding steely rhythm prevailing, while he quickly shifts into compelling abstract mode for the eerie tones of "Command Z Av".
Review: Berlin-based Brit Matt Edwards started Special Projects as a techno focused series in 2017. Since then, it has gone on to host scene heroes such as Shinedoe, P.Leone, Dustin Zahn and the SRVD project he does with Patrick Mason. Three years later, Edwards finally graces the label for its twentieth release under his most revered pseudonym - Radio Slave. Featuring two club oriented workouts that are reliably heavy and functional: the first being the hypnotic 'plink plonk' of "Command Z" which is reminiscent of classic Purpose Maker aesthetics, followed by some serious tension and suspense on the M-Plant tribute that is "Command X" - packed full of bleepiness and claps on the kick galore.
Review: The incendiary partnership that is Patrick Mason and Rekids boss Matt Edwards' SRVD project returns to the label for this tough two-tracker. On the title track, the pair lay down pummelling tribal drums, dense thunder claps and a searing, hardcore bass. These elements provide the basis for a vocal narrative about wearing black - presumably a reflection of the sartorial choices of the audiences that they play to. "USB" also takes influence from 90s sources, but on this occasion, the pair keep the vocals to a minimum, fusing time-stretched shrieks with pounding kicks and coruscating rave riffs that burn their way through the arrangement.
Review: Radio Slave's 2014 release gets the remix treatment from some of the biggest names in house and techno. First up is Robert Hood's version, where the Detroit veteran takes the original track's vocal loop and sets it against firing percussion and a barrelling techno rhythm. It builds up to a heady climax courtesy of some churning chords. Meanwhile, the Tale of Us interpretation focuses on letting the vocal unravel over a juddering kick, wiry percussion and dramatic chords - while the formidable pairing of Roman Poncet and DJ Deep head down a similar route, albeit one inhabited by garbled synth hooks and crisp claps.
Review: Originally issued on Boddika's label back in 2014, "Don't Stop..." has remained fresh despite the passage of five years. This is largely down to its straightforward but effective arrangement and Radio Slave's subtle, powerful production. Drawing on a looped, hypnotic vocal sample, ticking percussion and understated kicks, it's a timeless piece of stripped back techno. "War Dub (Version 2)" also taken from the Nonplus record, follows a similar path, embarking down a path paved with subtle bleeps, steely percussion and intricate drums, while the Nightmare Mix of "Sleep" sees Matt Edwards embark on an even more reduced approach, guided by eerie tones.
Review: Originally released to mark Rekids' one hundredth release, Radio Slave's "Another Club" now gets remixed. The label has tapped the fast-rising Charlotte De Witte to interpret the track, and the Belgian DJ doesn't disappoint. Underpinned by tough tribal beats and insistent acid sequences, it draws on the heritage of 90s European techno, but with a modern day feel thanks to the razor sharp percussion and flawless execution. Matt Edwards also delivers a version of the track, together with Patrick Mason under the SRVD alias. Focusing their attention on a dark siren riff and chopping up the original track's vocal sample, they deliver a pounding, rave techno bomb that's sure to cause mayhem wherever it's dropped.
Played by: Joris Voorn
Review: "Talking 2 B Mad" is the third collaboration on Rekids between label owner Matt Edwards and upcoming producer Patrick Mason under the SRVD alias. Like the previous Eps under this name, it shows that the pair have perfected a hard-hitting techno sound. The title track cruises along in excess of 130bpm, its pummelling drums breaking down into frazzled trance riffs that have echoes of Thomas Heckmann. "Twitch" isn't quite as frenetic, but once again, it sees them dive headlong into a driving percussive sound. Powered by pounding kicks and littered with dissected vocal samples, these elements make for the most eloquent big-room techno that you'll hear this year.
Review: The first Radio Slave material of 2019 also marks the start of a new chapter for Rekids, as it kick starts the Stranger In The Night sub-label. A vehicle designed solely for releases by label owner Radio Slave, Fred P, Anthony Rother and King Britt, it gets off to a great start with "Ground Control". Unlike much of Edwards' work, this is a dramatic, musical affair with dramatic synth stabs and tonal builds underpinned by a grungy bass and a loose, stepping groove. It comes across like Radio Slave's take on Underground Resistance. "Last Communication" is also atypical of the Radio Slave sound, with widescreen synths and woodwind unraveling over a stop-start groove.
Sidney Charles/Sante/Various
Played by: Mark Broom, Juno Recommends Techno, Claude VonStroke, Afrojack, DJ Lukas, Eli Brown, La Fleur
Review: Rekids boss Matt Edwards hooks up with emerging producer Patrick Mason for another outing as SRVD. "The Yard Man" is a banging affair, with a discordant riff at its centre, while deranged vocal samples and wild chants serve to add to the track's individualistic - and effective - appeal. "Brotha" is a less upfront affair, but once again the pair draw on reggae/dub influences, as a swirling, spacey filter underpins soulful vocals over a chugging dub techno groove. It's a laid-back counterpoint to "The Yard Man" and sets out this project as one of the most innovative in modern electronic music.
Review: SRVD is a new collaborative project between Radio Slave and the art director Patrick Mason, and sees the pair focus on tracky house. The title track is a driving, heads-down affair, with a hypnotic vocal refrain unfolding over tough drums and swirling synth lines. Both the original and the tough dub version are exactly the kind of tracks you'd expect Radio Slave to drop in a club. "Nasty" also features vocals, but on this occasion they unfold to the back drop of rolling snares, receptive whoops and crashing metallic drums. The result sounds like "Witchdoktor"-era Armand Van Helden on angel dust.
Emanuel Satie/Various
Various
Various - "Defected Presents The Closing Party Ibiza 2018 Mix 1" (continuous mix) - (1:17:12) 124 BPM
Various - "Defected Presents The Closing Party Ibiza 2018 Mix 2" (continuous mix) - (1:13:48) 124 BPM
Finn - "Sometimes The Going Gets A Little Tough" (Ferreck Dawn & Robosonic extended remix) - (5:56) 124 BPM
Lee Curtiss - "Erotic Tendencies" (feat Desmond 'DSP' Powell - Krystal Klear Fun House remix) - (6:14) 122 BPM
Review: In its original form, "Trans" was one of the dancefloor highlights of Matt Edwards' second album as Radio Slave, 2017's Feel The Same. Here, the dark and stylish original - think alien new wave synth-pop from 1983 re-imagined as a Panoramabar-friendly workout - is given a makeover by two titans of the electronic music scene: Innervisions overlord Dixon and Detroit techno stalwarts Underground Resistance. Naturally, Dixon's rub is weightier and more obviously big room-friendly than Edwards album cut, with the foreboding original synth bassline and bubbly electronic flourishes being joined by weightier drum hits and bold new melodic motifs which fire "Trans" towards the stratosphere. In contrast, Underground Resistance's revision is fuzzier, wonkier and more hypnotic, albeit with a little disco surprise here and there.
Played by: Kraak & Smaak, PBR Streetgang, Alkalino, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Rekids features here two extraordinary re-edits of recent Radio Slave tracks by Pampa boss DJ Koze. Taken from his Feel The Same album, Matt Edwards has certainly received a brilliant rendition from the Hamburg legend right here.The euphoric remix of the title track still features the looped-up diva vocals of the original and is exactly the kind of track you'd expect him to drop on a Sunday night one of his his regular appearances at Panorama Bar. Then, the hard hitting and tunneling "Reverse" is more on the techno tip and originally appeared on 2017's Overdue EP. Both edits are secret weapons for any serious DJ's set.
Various/Modeselektor
Deetron/Various
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: This an altogether epic offering from Deetron; a vast collection of un-mixed tracks from his brilliant DJ Kicks mix (naturally included as a bonus cut) that is little less than a lesson in the evolution of techno over the last three decades. Amongst the 38 tracks you'll find fine representatives of a myriad of sub-genres (intelligent techno, dub techno, IDM, ambient techno, gospel techno, and so on), as well as past, present and future classics (Damier and Trent's "Morning Factory", Spacetime Continuum's "Swing Factory", Mark Ernestus's recent Equinoxx remix, the Motor City bliss of Rhythim is Rhythim AKA Derrick May's "Ka-o-tic Harmony", a brilliant old Black Dog Productions workout). In other words, it's a breathlessly brilliant collection of both well-known and obscure gems. It comes heartily recommended.
Radio Slave feat Danton Eeprom
Played by: Ellen Allien
Review: Following on from last year's remixes from Len Faki of Matt Edwards' 2008 Grindhouse come two new versions. First up are veterans Slam, who turn the track into a bleak-sounding but funky workout, the dense drums underpinning menacing bass tones, eerie vocal undercurrents and the sound of riotous war horns. The Scottish duo is always a hard act to follow, but on this occasion, Obscure Shape & SHDW acquit themselves admirably. For their remix, the German production pair up the tempo, lay down steely, urgent drums and a juggernaut rhythm that is sure to see "Grindhouse" careering into a techno club near you shortly.
James Zabiela/Various
