Review: Dutch Techno imprint Klakson makes a very welcome return after a two year hiatus with some dynamic jack from Mesak. The Finnish producer has already released one album this year, and now drops this three track taster ahead of his upcoming Dada Wheel LP for Dexter and Steffi's iconic label. Up first is "Stitch Seq", a charming excursion into pumping house with a real abrasive feel to the groove. Mesak cuts a Scando electro funk strut on "Nahat" with neat synth stabs cutting through the rusted iron gate melodies. Pulses will race at the presence of a Dettmann remix of "Stitch Seq" and Marcel does not disappoint with growling sub bass the backdrop to ten minutes of dramatic progression - early morning vibes from the Berghain resident on this one...
Review: Straight up electro mainstay 214 returns to Klakson with Around The Bend, an EP that's no doubt looking to the future of post lockdown. Tailored by an upbringing on Frustrated Funk and ties to labels like Shipwrec, Lunar Disko, Central Processing Unit and 20:20 Vision, 214's Klakson cuts have always been classic. Keeping it super beat-centric and percussive on the drums the whole EP-through, get your overt Drexciyan motifs outta the lead cut with acid trips of splendour to be had in "Mosquito Bay". Grubbier sessions with subtle LFO aka Warp-style synths on loop make the cut in "Perfect Circuit" next to some edgy riffs and hardcore basslines in "Take Away". Quality.
Review: After a five year hiatus, Steffi and Dexter's now legendary Klakson imprint is back in action. Said to have been due to pressing plant delays and being tied up with their respective careers, we can forgive them; so long as they continue with the quality releases they've shown us thus far. The dirty electro funk antics of "Troubles" sees Remy Verheijen awash in an analogue bubble bath to the vocoded tune of "I've got/so much troubles/on my mind". "Flashback" is dark and emotive techno-soul that you could have sworn was the work of Boris Bunnik for a second, but undeniably Dexter. The second half of the release gives us "Twilight Life", a tribute to the more electro-fied leanings of UR or Drexciya, as is "Patternmaster" which gets deep down and nasty in the aquatic fashion of the latter. Tip!
Review: This EP marks the Klakson label debut of Privacy, a Berlin-based machine freak who has previously impressed via releases on Lobster Theremin, Klasse Wrecks and Valcrond Video. Across the course of four fine tracks, the producer explores the world of electro, doffing a cap to a number of sub-genres along the way. So, while the skittish and excitable "Four Lo" sounds like a "braindance" era Rephlex throw-down, the slower, dirtier and spookier "U Can Tell" sails closer to dark electro territory. Then "NCSC" combines punchy electro drums with the trademark arpeggio bass and spacey synthesizer melodies of Italo-disco, while the fast-paced "Shove" sounds like a long lost Dexter classic.
Review: Label owner Steffi teams up with Sepher for a rare release. What's also notable about this EP is its approach. Instead of the house and techno that the Klakson boss is known for in her DJ sets, the focus here is on fast-paced electro. The title track flies past at lightning pace, resounding to a frenetic rhythm and propulsive percussion, while on "The Hairy Otter", the focus is on mysterious synths and warbling bass - realised against the backdrop of a high-octane groove. "Murder 2.0" sees the pair venture down a starker route, deploying robotic drums and metallic hi hats. Electro remains on the agenda on "DJ Veto", where a frazzled low end is coupled with a gnarly rhythm.
Review: Shapes Of The Roots is a two part project by D_Roots for Steffi & Dexter's ever reliable Klakson imprint. The second installment has five serious, energetic, sharp and melancholic electro tunes. From the evocative computer funk of "Alone In The Echoes", as well as the acid-laced Motor City-styled high tech soul of "Ashes", later moving into more bass-heavy science fiction on "LFOs Ride" to the futurist beat programme of closing cut "Uncaged". This is rock solid dance floor material from a super talented Italian producer.
Review: Underground producer Driven By Attraction makes his debut on Klakson with this individualistic release. Inspired by the more abstract variant of 90s techno - think Black Dog and early Carl Craig side projects - "The Same Way" and "No Higher Authority" are frenetic break beat tracks. In particular, "Authority" has an eerie sensibility that really stands out. "Again Again" also favours a raw, analogue sound, with its jittery break beats and looped vocal sample sounding reminiscent of Shake's work. "You Bring Something Better" is deeper, with layers of dreamy synths unfolding over rolling drums. In other words, Last Days Of Innocence is unlike anything else you'll hear at the moment.
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