Review: In many ways, Dutch producer Joran Van Pol represents the new breed of European minimal techno. He has released on Sci &Tec as well as Minus, and his productions marry the effect-heavy leanings of mid-00s mmml house with big room dynamics. This is audible throughout on Edge, his latest offering for Richie Hawtin's label. "Illos" resounds to build ups, break downs and a meaty bass, while on the title track Van Pol ramps up the intensity levels with a cacophony of snare rolls and white-knuckle rhythmic intensity. "Return" features a similar approach, albeit with a more queasy bass, while "Frostbite" sees him return to the clicky, hollowed out grooves of mid-00s minimal house.
Review: Southern Frenchman turned Berliner Julian Jeweil is back with another release on Minus and the label has still got it, if these peak time techno grooves are anything to go by. "Bird" with its booming and cavernous kick and harsh white noise strikes support an infectious and mesmerizing melody. "And We" gets funky with intricately programmed rhythm and rolling bassline providing true peak time reliability. Both "Concept" and "153 Essex St" are steady stompers versatile enough to fit in with a variety of techno styles with their upfront minimal groove. Finally "Wax" just reeks of label boss Richie Hawtin with its tape delayed vocals, rolling bass and big room druggy atmosphere.
Review: The latest release from Irish producer Matador will do much to dispel the image that surrounds Minus. "Play With Me!" is built on firing percussion, a building bassline and dark synths - all of which provides the basis for a robotic vocal to intone the track's title. "It's a Rollover" is in a similar vein, with a buzzing bass supporting trance keys, but the release surprises again by providing other, more reflective sounds. In particular, the spooky vocals and hypnotic filters on "Sunsets" and "The Doghouse", where Matador delivers a series of epic breakdowns over a pulsing, bleepy groove, show both the artist and label in a radically different light than usual.
Review: It's been a few years since Jon Gaiser last released a record, but in the interim not too much has changed in his world. The title track has the same hiccupping, stuttering vocal sample beloved of the Minus minimal sound and an unflinching, receptive rhythm, yet there are some subtle progressions. "Krakdup" is swathed in ravey riffs, like one would hear in a wonky techno release. "Where We Are" also features similar stuttering vocals, but the beats are heavier and filled and the wild analogue howls are reminiscent of classic Dan Bell or even Neil Landstrumm. Gaiser may not have cracked up, but it sounds like he's getting his hands dirty.
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