Review: Wehbba returns to Drumcode after his 2020 album for the label. With a focus on the dance floor, the title track is a real standout, thanks to the use of gurgling acid lines and a Marlon Brando vocal sample playing out against a relentless, driving rhythm. Wehbba deploys a similar approach on "Ataraxia" - based on tight drums and percussion, the arrangement unfolds to the sound of wave upon wave of soaring synths, eventually reaching a dramatic crescendo, It's no coincidence that Wehbba says that the track was inspired by spiritual enlightenment. In contrast, "Strange Dreamz" is a stripped back workout, with frazzled riffs and a wired vocal sample building and flowing over a raw groove.
Review: Label boss Scuba dons his SCB alias to deliver this split release with Wehbba, who has previously released on high-profile labels like Drumcode and Tronic. That hypnotic, big-room sound is audible on "Survival", where steely drums are fused with wild acid pirouettes. The title track is less intense, and sees the duo deliver a pulsating groove that's framed by steely percussion and ponderous vocal samples. "New Culture" is more stripped back, with this unlikely pairing focusing again on those steely drums, underpinned this time by an insistent filter. "Green Planet" is similarly focused, as rolling, Palstikman-style percussion and acid drones unravel over solid kicks.
Review: The latest release on Drumcode is a coming together of the new and the established. In the contemporary corner is Rodolfo Wehbba, a Brazilian producer with a multitude of Eps on Tronic and Drumcode, while ghetto legend DJ Deeon represents the old guard. It's a great meeting of minds, as the title track provides a fusion of firing percussion and grimy bass over a primal rhythm. "Third Wave" leans more towards contemporary techno with searing chord builds, while on "Streamroller" the pair opt for a stripped-back approach that features acrid filters. Lastly, the pumping drums and moody sub-bass of "Another Mistake" has an evocative Detroit techno feeling.
Review: Adam Beyer's label notches up the seventh A-Sides compilation in as many years. In keeping with its approach of featuring well-known Drumcode artists alongside newer artists, Volume 7 shines a light ion emerging techno talent. This includes the deep and dubbed out "Portable Paradise" by Anna, alongside upcoming Canadian artist Weska with the searing acid of "Other Places" and recent Drumcode debutant Boxia with the dreamy but rolling "Final Call". These emerging artists sit alongside techno veteran Thomas Schumacher, who drops the eerie but jacking "The Unseen", Alan Fitzpatrick collaborating with Scuba's SCB offshoot to deliver the tough tribal techno of "Untitled" and Dutch producer Bart Skills weighing in with the ominous big-room monster that is "West Of The Moon".
Review: Wehbba follows his recent Eclipse release for Drumcode with this killer four-track EP. First up is "She's Lost Control"; despite sharing the same name as a well-known Joy Division song, Wehbba's track is laced in acid and full of break downs and builds, with some out there rave stabs thrown in for good measure. "Process" is just as effective; centred on a rolling rhythm, heavy chord stabs and moody vocal snatches, its use of rolling snares will guarantee it maximum dance floor impact. The title track is more understated, and its atmospheric organ riffs make it reminiscent of the output of mid-90s techno labels like Holland's Prime or Music Man. However, Wehbba soon returns to modern club sounds thanks to the rattling, clattering percussive workout on "Mind Awake".
Review: Wehbba is one of the most prolific contemporary techno producers, but as this release shows, he doesn't sacrifice quantity for quality. The title track is a rolling electronic affair, featuring waves of electronic filters supported by a prowling, predatory bass. "Protocol" is tougher and more visceral, with claps and grainy kicks providing the backdrop for menacing synth builds that sound like they were borrowed from the hardcore playbook. "Glasswerk" also features a menacing bass and pummelling beats but on this occasion, the central elements are subsumed by spacey chord washes and churning filters. The Brazilian producer opts for a different approach on "Framework". While the rhythm is stripped back, the bass still teems with menacing intent.
Review: Audiojack, Shall Ocin and Termoment all tore it up in style recently but now Marc Romboy's esteemed tech house imprint returns with another stunner from Brazilian producer Wehbba. This release follows up that killer collaboration with Swedish techno king Christian Smith named "Radium" on Tronik a few months ago. Starting out with the furious futurist tension of "Moonrise" featuring forceful rhythms beneath rich transcendental strings, there's then the dark journey track "Polychrome" and also the bouncy and melodic analogue house of "Persistence Of Memory" which sounds like a bit like KiNK. Wicked stuff right here!
Review: From the dentist's surgery to a club's big room is quite a journey but it's one that Wehbba has achieved with little fuss or hype. The Brazilian producer's latest release - on Jon Digweed's Bedrock - shows why he has managed to come such a long way so easily and seamlessly. "Plurpush" revolves around tough house beats; noisy riffs and acid undercurrents following in their wake. The title track sees Wehbba put a greater focus on his house roots; looping a vocal sample and uniting it with clanging drums and sharp claps he creates his own version of tracky NY house. "Trust" features some of the same elements- notably a vocal snippet and a rolling rhythm - but it has a techno swagger and is shot through with dubby chords.
Marc Romboy vs Blake Baxter - "Freakin'" (original) - (6:54) 125 BPM
Van Bellen - "Let Me Take You On A Journey" (Guy Mantzur & Roy Rosenfeld remix) - (8:31) 124 BPM
Abysm - "Future Love" - (5:29) 124 BPM
Guy Mantzur & Roy RosenfelD - "Hidden Karisma" - (8:18) 124 BPM
Andre Hommen - "Macro" - (6:47) 123 BPM
Technasia - "Hold Me" - (9:40) 128 BPM
Olaf Pozsgay - "Glacck" - (8:12) 125 BPM
Nicolas Masseyeff - "Systematic 77 Megamix" (By Nicolas Masseyeff) - (1:59:52) 124 BPM
Roy RosenfelD - "Systematic 77 Megamix" (By Roy Rosenfeld) - (1:59:40) 122 BPM
Review: Marc Romboy's esteemed tech house imprint has reached its 77th release? You bet! And it goes out all guns blazing this time around with a massive compilation with some great tracks, new and old, by the likes of Robert Babicz, Guy Mantzur, Wehbba and Stephan Bodzin. There are some pretty kick ass remixes on offer too by the likes of Adam Port, Adriatique, Nick Curly and Petar Dundov. Highlights? Head honcho Romboy's rendition of OCH's "Time Tourism", Ibadan boss Jerome Sydenham's ecstatic "Systematic Dub" and Technasia's druggy and tunnelling odyssey "Hold Me".
Review: Brazil's Wehbba is back following up a great collaboration with the legendary Christian Smith and releases on Systematic and My Favourite Freaks. On the Turning Point EP, the title track is a dark journey that will have you surrendering to the void in no time with its grinding bass and wonky melodics supported by the most dramatic elements. The Bridge" is much more uplifting and adrenalised with rich melodies and emotive pads being supported by a finely tuned rhythm department: this one will work the floor for sure. Some great remixes are on offer here, but for our money its UK star Huxley's slinky and sexy progressive house remix of "The Bridge" which really shines.
Review: Funky peak time tech house for island shenanigans on offer here from up and coming Brazilian DJ/producer Whebba for Christian Smith's long running Tronic inprint. "The Red Sun" is a shuffling roller of a monster, somewhat reminiscent of classic G Flame and Mr G and will appeal to fans of labels like Gruuv or Saved. Second track "Psyche" goes for the more druggy and minimal afterhours vibe with its simple yet effective rhythm and throbbing bassline supported by pitch shifted vocals. Final track "Vaporware" gets straight back to the main room vibe though on this slinky, liquid tech house cruiser for post peak time transitions.
