Review: Celebrating the one hundredth release on CLR, owner Chris Liebing delivers a crafty techno EP. "Time" is a dynamic affair, with Liebing adding layer upon layer of percussion and a repetitive vocal sample to a stomping, driving groove, making for a big room affair. "Sup" is a different proposition, with the veteran producer dropping a hypnotic bass that acts as the foundation for waves of hi hats and a repetitive vocal sample. Celebrating the 100 milestone in style, CLR has again called on the talents of the award-winning producer Ralf Hildenbeutel, whose remix of "Sup" transforms it into an understated, tranced out groove.
Review: With releases on Planet Rhythm and Dynamic Reflection to his credit, Deas now debuts on CLR. "Lemon" opens the release in expansive form, with broken beats and atmospheric filters providing the basis for a growling rhythm and doubled up claps. It makes for a brooding but captivating track. In contrast, "Terminal" is more direct in its approach, with Deas deploying hammering kicks and metallic percussion as the basis for wave upon wave of analogue tones. The title track marks another shift in style; while more understated than "Terminal", its pulsating bass, throbbing groove and militaristic hi hats mean that it'll capture the ear of discerning techno DJs.
Review: With a series of releases between them on Uncage, Frozen Border and Be As One, Hertz Collision and Gene Richards Jr have an enviable back catalogue. Now they take their crafty club techno sound to Chris Liebing's label. The title track is an angular, metallic affair, peppered with repetitive vocal samples and firing hi hats. On "Change", they explore a different approach; the groover is straight and is punctuated by pummelling kicks, with intense tonal bleeps and sheet metal percussion throughout the arrangement. Layered on top of these elements is a hypnotic vocal sample, which adds an extra, mysterious dimension to "Change". Factor in a pounding take on "Must Do It" from Truncate, and this is a really heavyweight techno release.
Review: Having enjoyed support from big names like Richie Hawtin and Chris Liebing, Frankie Bromley now debuts on Liebing's recently re-relaunched CLR imprint with a complex, well-executed release. "Spider" starts off subtly, with a stepping rhythm, but Bromley gradually adds layer upon layer of filtered noise. The title track sees the UK producer apply a more dance floor focused approach, with cavernous drums and a pumping bass providing the backdrop for acid tones and a mysterious vocal sample. On "Drama", Bromley goes down a full-on 303 route, with incessant acid lines woven into a slinky groove, while "Mental Resistance" is a dubbed out track that resounds to layered sound scapes and resonating vocal samples.
Review: After celebrating a decade of Create Learn Realise with a series of five releases, Chris Liebing returns to his Auf EP from last year enlisting a premiere cast of remixers to reimagine his epic Schranz beat. Scottish duo Edit Select extend their remix of "Auf Und Ad" over two parts, with part one a relentless EBM pump, little more than a distorted electronic funk beneath a pounding kick drum with a rising siren for company whilst part two is a fuzzier industrial take. Drumcell & Audio Injection also offer two remixes of "Auf Und Ab" which stick pretty close to a minimal groove. Dustin Zahn & Decimal team up and tackle "Auf Und Davon" for the remix highlight, with big fat kick drums piercing through the minimal soundscape of atmospheric chords with a sense of tension rising throughout the mix.
Review: As CLR approach their tenth anniversary, Sweden's Adam Beyer delivers a track to help Chris Liebing's revered label celebrate. "Antisitus", which will appear on the imprint's tenth anniversary compilation, explodes into some loop heavy techno. Sure to destroy the big clubs and festivals this summer, this is a true monster in Beyer's immutable style. Brian Sanhaji's offer for the compilation, "Higgs", digs much deeper but keeps the driving sentiment the same. Warbling sub bass shakes the foundations here.
Review: Chris Liebing's label unveils the second release of their 10 Years cycle with a storming techno effort from South American producer Pfirter, an original Function Vs Mr Ibadan, a Jerome Sydenham number and accompanying remix from Liebing himself. With a nod to the techno of old, this release also ploughs its acclaimed cast head-first into the future.
Review: Dustin Zahn's mix of "Kinda High Auf Und Ab" leads this release on Chris Liebing's imprint and it's a real techno treat. The vocals from the original are processed and looped stunningly over the top of a moody and hypnotic beat that maintains its momentum perfectly throughout the tune. Alex Bau's ?Arctica? is also included, and it's again made up of all the classic components - dark rumbling bass and ear-piercing hats that show no mercy.
