Review: It's fair to say that the late 90s and early 00s techno scene belonged to Fabric Lig, Heiko Laux and the Kanzleramt label. It was during this period that all of these players were at the height of their creative powers, and this is evident on Lig's "Stones", which the German label originally put out back in 2003. However, while this re-release serves to underscore the timelessness of Lig's music, it also shines a light on Laux's remix skills. In its most extreme form, it finds its voice on the rough acid 'Obsidian' remix of "Black Stone". However, it' s on the "Hematite" and "Jet" versions that Laux impresses most, laying down spacey tones and rough kicks on the former and rolling drums and discordant riffs on the latter.
Review: This release, a collaboration between two of European techno's most experienced practitioners, starts on an unusual note. "Spiegelkabinett", with its jazzy licks and offbeat rhythm sounds like an electronic update of The Durutti Column or 80s funk act A Certain Ratio. It proves to be a temporary distraction though; the title track is a straight down the line techno track, led by heavy kicks, shaking percussion and hiccupping samples. "Stringer Bell", presumably named after the character in The Wire, is a tough, firing affair, led by ticking percussion, detuned tones and surging chords. Completing the release are the tranced out synths of the Petar Dundov-esque "Millipede".
Review: Consistency is Kajioka's second artist album for Kanzleramt and consolidates a relationship that started over 12 years ago. As its title suggests, this long player does what Kajioka excels at, namely smartly executed club techno. There are occasional deviations from that script, like the ambient opener, "Patch" or "Minute 53", where beautiful electronic piano and atmospheric strings prevail, but in the main this is a no nonsense dance floor album. "Fast Forward" breathes new life into dub techno thanks to it forceful kicks; "The Ratchet" sees Kajioka toy with the wiry minimalism of Rob Hood and "Constant" teems with the kind of surging chords and dense kicks that acts like Technasia used to specialise in. If dance floor abandon is your main aim, then you need some consistency.
The Ratchet (The Persuader remix) - (6:11) 130 BPM
Review: Kajioka has enjoyed a long relationship with Kanzleramt, releasing the majority of his music, including an album, on the label over the past decade. Perhaps mindful of his long relationship with Kanzleramt, owner Heiko Laux has commissioned some high-profile remixes of Kajioka material. First up is former UR member Rolando, who turns "Retro" into an epic, widescreen workout, its chords billowing and surging dramatically over a pounding backing. Laux's own take on "Constant" is more stripped back, with a bleepy groove and firing percussion underpinning filtered chord sequences. The release also features Jesper Dahlback working as The Persuader and under this guise he turns "The Ratchet" into a sublime, graceful deep techno track.
Review: There was a time during the late-'90s when Kanzleramt was the undisputed ruler of German techno and Heiko Laux was one of its main artists. Then minimal house happened and electronic music's focus changed. However, time and tastes move in a circular direction and while Laux or the label never stopped releasing music, both are now back in the spotlight. In part this is thanks to Laux's killer EP on Klockworks. Haulin Ass sees him ramp up the energy further - the title track revolves around a bombastic bass and mad hoover stabs, while on "Onyx", he lays own the kind of slamming, raw techno that will rattle your brain at 20 paces. However, there is another side to Laux and both "An Elephant in a Silver Box" and "Lila 7" explore a world where brittle breaks, chilling synths and warbling acid prevail.
Review: Following on from the first remix collection of tracks from last year's Fernweh album, Laux calls out an impressive list of remixers for the second edition. Marcel Dettmann gets to grips with the title track, making an impressive fusion of an electronic bass pulse and tough, steely drums. At the other end of the spectrum is Steve Rachmad's takes on "Shimmer". The first version keeps the focus on the dance floor thanks to a robust drum workout, but it's the 'Basic' remix that impresses most thanks to its reflective synths. New school producer Yan Cook also drops a fine, stepping interpretation of "Neutron".
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