Rekids: A Forceful and Lasting Imprint in Techno.
ailing from the UK, Rekids isn't your average electronic label. Founded in 2006 by the collaborative minds of James Masters and Matt Edwards (aka Radio Slave), Rekids has carved a unique path in the scene within a short time.
Renowned for its cutting-edge sounds, the label champions electronic music that thrives both on and off the dance floor. They consistently push boundaries, releasing innovative tracks that resonate with listeners even in a relaxed setting.
Over the years, Rekids has become a breeding ground for some of techno's most exciting new voices. Artists like Lucy, Raxon, and SHDW & Obscure Shape all found a platform for their early works on the label. Rekids also wasn't afraid to collaborate with techno veterans, with releases from the likes of Robert Hood and Surgeon adding a touch of experience to the label's roster.
Over the years, Rekids has released a string of critically acclaimed records, solidifying its position as a leading force in techno. The label continues to push boundaries and discover new artists, ensuring its place at the forefront of the genre's evolution.
Review: 2019 is shaping up to be a busy year for Adam Brocki and Jan W?ycicki aka Private Press - and Happening is their third release so far this year. It's the follow up to last year's Zero Sum EP on Rekids and once again, showcases their distinctive take on techno. "Traces to Nowhere" and "Paper Clip" are led by wiry, shuffling grooves that underpin insistent chord stabs and dubbed out bass lines. Both tracks come across like a fresh take on 90s deep house / deep techno. "Wet Moon" sees the pair head off in a more tripped out direction, led by a throbbing, jungle bass, while "The Struggle" is a more contemporary roller.
Review: Following on from releases for Off and his own, self-titled label, Hybrasil debuts on Rekids. The title track is a pumping tribal affair that resounds to dramatic stabs, heavy kicks and a rolling rhythm. It's a lean, linear affair that showcases this emerging producer's prowess. On "Source Vibration", Hybrasil delivers another locked-on arrangement, with looped percussive chimes and a rolling groove prevailing. "Pallas Athena & Aeoleusc" centres on tough, dense kicks and a rippling bass as well as dramatic break downs. Last but not least is "Bishop", where sweeping, dubbed out chords unveil over a somewhat slower but equally effective clubby pattern.
Review: The first Radio Slave material of 2019 also marks the start of a new chapter for Rekids, as it kick starts the Stranger In The Night sub-label. A vehicle designed solely for releases by label owner Radio Slave, Fred P, Anthony Rother and King Britt, it gets off to a great start with "Ground Control". Unlike much of Edwards' work, this is a dramatic, musical affair with dramatic synth stabs and tonal builds underpinned by a grungy bass and a loose, stepping groove. It comes across like Radio Slave's take on Underground Resistance. "Last Communication" is also atypical of the Radio Slave sound, with widescreen synths and woodwind unraveling over a stop-start groove.
Review: Deep Dimension follow last year's So 1992 debut release on Rekids with this similarly-influenced release that draws on sources from the early 90s. The title track revolves around hammering kicks and a wild rave sequence that references Riot-period UR. Similarly, "Audio Space" sees the pair chop up a vocal sample and loop it over a brutal, industrial rhythm. Meanwhile, "Stronger Than Steel" comes across as a modern take on Frankfurt Trax, replete with the seemingly solemn rapping that was the signature accompaniment for many of those iconic releases. Last but by no means least is "Planet E", where Deep Dimension deliver a discordant stomper.
Review: FBK aka Kevin Kennedy put out an EP on Shake's Frictional EP back in the late 90s before reappearing nearly 15 years later. Happily, Kennedy has not lost his distinctive touch and this debut album marks him out as a master of raw house and techno. More streamlined than his colleague Shake, Stories contains bruising, visceral workouts like "Layers of Fear" and "I'll Sit Back, You'll Jack" and relentless looped workouts like "Headless". That said, this is not an entirely peak-time collection, and Kennedy also drops deeper Detroit techno like the subtle back beats and churning chords of "Hassling". It's the latest chapter in the resurgence of one of techno's unsung heroes.
Review: Hemka follows releases on Labrynth and Balans with this powerful three-tracker. "Doppelganger" is led by a spooky organ riff that is underpinned by rolling drums and powerful thunder claps. Meanwhile on "Countdown", the Paris-based artist delivers one-note bleeps and layered vocal samples over dense, driving drum patterns, in the process creating a peak time mixture of Ben Sims and Sandwell District. Changing direction once again, she drops the powerful title track, where insistent bleeps and waves of filtered percussion gradually reach a crescendo as they crash in over a driving rhythm. It rounds off a fine tough club techno EP.
Review: Rekids boss Matt Edwards hooks up with emerging producer Patrick Mason for another outing as SRVD. "The Yard Man" is a banging affair, with a discordant riff at its centre, while deranged vocal samples and wild chants serve to add to the track's individualistic - and effective - appeal. "Brotha" is a less upfront affair, but once again the pair draw on reggae/dub influences, as a swirling, spacey filter underpins soulful vocals over a chugging dub techno groove. It's a laid-back counterpoint to "The Yard Man" and sets out this project as one of the most innovative in modern electronic music.
Review: Nic Fanciulli's association with Rekids stretches back to 2012 when he remixed Radio Slave's "Grindhouse", but this is his first release proper for the label. The title track strikes a great balance between soul and force, with the Saved boss laying down a beguiling female vocal over a thumping club rhythm that is led by steely percussion and tough kicks. The inclusion of a pitch-bent male vocal adds some extra moodiness to "Understand". Meanwhile, "Where U At" is just as impressive; inspired by the tough tracky legacy of labels like Relief, Fanciulli drops a tweaked, analogue workout, replete with building chords and repetitive vocal snatches.
Review: Mark Broom is primarily known for his techno work, but over the years he has also worked on funk and broken beat projects. The title track on this release for Rekids also marks another artistic departure, with the UK producer delivering a vocal-led, disco house groove. There's a similar dynamic at play on "Heart", where Broom drops a slightly tougher but still very soulful workout. Things get progressively tougher as the EP progresses and "Efb" sees him add surging chords and heavy kicks as the remnants of a vocal sample lingers in the background. Finally, "G Theme" sees Broom up the pace for a tough but soulful techno workout - replete with diva vocals.
Review: Roberto aka Rob Kirkaldy has already gained recognition with releases on his own Fossil Archiv label, but makes the transition into the premier league with this outing for Rekids. "The Jester" starts off the release in epic form as chords surge and build over whiplash percussion and robust kicks. "Tonic" is just as impressive, with filtered stabs and chilling strings unravelling over a dense, linear rhythm, while on "The Days Are Longer Now", the emerging UK producer delivers a frosty melodic sequence against a back drop of steely percussion and tough kicks. Rounding off the release is the title track, an atmospheric, downtempo workout that has shades of Carl Craig
Review: Subradeon have already released on DJ 3000's Motech, but Motown is sure to garner them a lot of attention. It marks the culmination of the Italian duo's decade-long immersion in electronic music and sees them deliver an effortlessly executed EP. The 'Part 1' of the title track is a peak-time, dramatic banger, led by swirling, atmospheric synths and underpinned by resonating kicks. 'Part 2' sees the duo tease out a very different sound; led by more melodic keys and futuristic synth stabs, it draws on the heritage of early Detroit techno for inspiration. "The Law is Spiritual" is also musical, but it is led by a rumbling bass and its piano lines are accompanied by preacher man-style vocal samples. Last but certainly not least on this excellent EP is the uplifting Chicago house of "We Will Still Resist".
Review: Saint Petersburg-based producer Aleksei Nikitin aka Nocow debuted on Rekids - the estemmed imprint run by Matt Edwards - last year with his impressive Samaya Dolgaya Noch EP, and has previously released on labels like Clone Royal Oak, Figure and Fauxpas Musik. His new offering Atoner will be his eighth full length and is a vibrant body of work which spans everything from hypnotic techno, smack electro, ambient and the zeitgeist of early 90s rave as well as raw house jams.
Review: Sebo K has always had a knack of crafting emotive house and techno, so it's no real surprise that his latest release is shot through with atmospheric sensibilities. This aesthetic is audible from the get-go: "Nebula" is led by a tripped out acid line, but it's the booming hardcore bass and the jazzy keys that really push the listener back to a more carefree time in electronic music's recent past. On the reflective "Sous Les Etoiles", the German producer goes deeper again as wispy synth lines and ghostly melodies showcase his expertise. The title track sees Sebo map out a new direction thanks to the use of crisp break beats - albeit coated in soft focus melodies - while "Pink Moon" concludes the release again with breathy, effervescent sounds.
Review: 2018 has been a standout year for Rekids, with the label championing emerging artists like P.Leone and SP-X. This approach continues on Der Sturm. That said, Marco Bl?si and Luigi Urba, the producers behind the release, had already appeared on Matt Edwards' label last year with Himmel Und Erde and also supplied a remix of the epic "Grindhouse" track. Given free reign to do their own thing again, they deliver the title track's epic chords and pounding kicks - which draws on 90s techno heritage. "Zeit Des Erwachens" also features tough drums, but this time they are aligned to a darker techno stab, while on "Tr?nen Der Sonne", the pair keep the dance floor pressure up with a rattling percussive banger.
Review: On Synergy, Rekids delivers a killer release that focuses mainly on Darko Esser's Tripeo project . Tripeo & Cadans' "Rave Tune" is a tough, driving techno track imbued with dreamy synths, while in a similar style, Tripeo's collaboration with Doka as The Leap sees the pair unleash atmospheric textures over rolling, steely drums. Esser flies solo for the remaining tracks and on "Need For Nuance", drops the melodies in favour of a niggling, bleepy-heavy analogue techno workout. Keeping the audience guessing till the very last, "Zeitgeist" is a cool electro stepper that veers in and out of straight 4/4 kicks.
Review: It sounds like Jeffrey Hek and Jimmy van de Geijn aka Deep Dimension spent the second year of the 90s dancing till the early hours at outdoor raves. The title track here resounds to pounding drums that support wild rave riffs and even a high-paced hardcore MC rap. It's rough, raw and successfully captures the wide-eyed sound of that era. Rekids boss Radioslave teams up with P.Leone to deliver a remix of the Dutch duo. Laying down chugging, tribal beats and turning the rave riff into a spooky synth riff, it's a tough house track that has more in common with the clubs of New York than the fields outside Amsterdam.
Review: With releases for esteemed techno labels like Komisch and Time To Express to his credit, Rekids might not seem like the most obvious home for SP-X. That said, Under New Light is part of the label's Special Projects series, which is designed to shine a light on underground artists. It gets off to a frenetic start with "Dystopian Lotus", where pummelling drums and SP-X's trademark snappy percussion underpin the kind of eerie synth sequence you might expect to hear on a Carl Craig record. "Breaths of Separation" is more frenetic and furious, with SP-X dropping lead weight kicks, pitch bent hats and gated synth stabs, while "The Orbiter" sees this highly talented artist return to the concrete drums and militaristic percussive volleys that pervaded on his previous Eps for a rousing climax.
Review: Dedicated to his deceased mother, Heaven is Markus Suckut's third artist album and his most impressive to date. It opens with the orchestral strings of "Escape" and the spacey, upbeat dub techno of "Breeze" before moving into the melancholic deep techno of "Future Is Not Always Bright" and the spaced out down tempo "Above The Clouds". It's not all reflective material however. "Sun's Out" is a more light-hearted track and sees the German producer drop a catchy vocal snippet, while on "Take A Break", he fuses a frenetic jazz break to a filtered techno groove. As these tracks and the niggling acid of "Orchid" all suggest, the sound track to the after life doesn't have to be sombre.
Tight In The Pocket (original mix) - (7:01) 132 BPM
My Lita (Mark Broom remix 1) - (5:18) 128 BPM
My Lita (Mark Broom remix 2) - (5:39) 130 BPM
My Lita (Spencer Parker Work mix) - (6:13) 130 BPM
Review: This is P.Leone's second release on Rekids this year and consolidates the US producer's reputation as a purveyor of forward-thinking techno. "My Lita" revolves around tough, steely kicks but also features dreamy synths and warm, vocal-soaked filters that recall the 90s disco house of Motorbass and Etienne De Crecy. On "Tight in the Pocket", he changes tact; centred on robust broken beats, firing percussion and a mean, system-levelling bass, it shows that the E-Missions boss is also adept at crafting tough techno. Rekids has tapped Mark Broom and Spencer Parker to rework the title track. The Beardman boss drops a sinewy bass workout on his first version and chord-heavy dub techno for his second take, with Parker delivering a firing, filtered rework.
Review: SRVD is a new collaborative project between Radio Slave and the art director Patrick Mason, and sees the pair focus on tracky house. The title track is a driving, heads-down affair, with a hypnotic vocal refrain unfolding over tough drums and swirling synth lines. Both the original and the tough dub version are exactly the kind of tracks you'd expect Radio Slave to drop in a club. "Nasty" also features vocals, but on this occasion they unfold to the back drop of rolling snares, receptive whoops and crashing metallic drums. The result sounds like "Witchdoktor"-era Armand Van Helden on angel dust.
Review: The Private Press duo have already put out music on Indigo Area and now they bring their effective club techno to Rekids. "Miracle Man" is a lean, pumping groove that resounds to thunder claps and the kind of menacing chord sequences that made Dave Clarke's Red series so memorable. On "Becomes The Prime", the Polish act draws on Jeff Mills for inspiration, with an indistinguishable vocal sample low in the mix as a dense, filtered track plays out. "Tooms" also has a raw, 90s techno sound, albeit with grimy chords and firing percussion prevailing, while the pair deliver a pulsating, acid-soaked finale in the shape of "Clan".
Review: Dustin Zahn has been flying the flag for uncompromising techno for the past 20 years, so it is somewhat surprising to see him appear on Rekids. The title track is typical Zahn: cruising along at 130bpm, it sees him marry tough drums with a repetitive riff. "Decorum", which is of a similar tempo, resounds to churning chords and pile-driving percussion. Meanwhile on "Nameless Midnight", the US producer pushes the tempo up further, but adds some extra intrigue with an instinct vocal loop playing out over a wiry rhythm and mysterious bass tones. Rounding off what is an unusual but welcome release for Matt Edwards label is "Subtle Flex", a chord-heavy affair that features a more stepping rhythm than the preceding tracks.
Review: In its original form, "Trans" was one of the dancefloor highlights of Matt Edwards' second album as Radio Slave, 2017's Feel The Same. Here, the dark and stylish original - think alien new wave synth-pop from 1983 re-imagined as a Panoramabar-friendly workout - is given a makeover by two titans of the electronic music scene: Innervisions overlord Dixon and Detroit techno stalwarts Underground Resistance. Naturally, Dixon's rub is weightier and more obviously big room-friendly than Edwards album cut, with the foreboding original synth bassline and bubbly electronic flourishes being joined by weightier drum hits and bold new melodic motifs which fire "Trans" towards the stratosphere. In contrast, Underground Resistance's revision is fuzzier, wonkier and more hypnotic, albeit with a little disco surprise here and there.
Review: Salvatore Carlino aka P Leone has previously released on Work Them Records and E-Missions, so this debut on Rekids does not come as a surprise. In essence, this is stripped back, heads-down dance floor techno at its finest. "Rose Petal Breaks" features lithe drums, a relentless rhythm and insistent stabs, while on "Noon Service", Carlino turns his attention to surging, building chords, croaking samples and pounding kicks. "Hold Me Down" is more visceral, as Carlino drops a grinding analogue riff over tough drums, while on "Sometimes I Feel Strong", he returns to the type of relentless, driving workout that "Rose Petal Breaks" inhabited. It's a release that's tailor-made for techno DJs.
Review: Young producer Armless Kid was one of the underground deep house success stories of 2017. While he's not yet quite as well known as some of his fellow new wave French deep house contemporaries, he already has releases on Classic, Hustler Trax and Fina White to his name. There's naturally plenty of fine fare to be found on this Rekids label debut, from the bumpin', jazz-wise stomp of opener "Troisieme Act" and the slick, ultra-deep warmth of glassy-eyed highlight "Jojo On The Moon", to the far-sighted Motor City techno/crunchy deep house fusion of "Air" and retro-futurist breeze that is lovable, stab-heavy closer "This Generation". If that lot's not enough to excite you (and, let's face it, it should be), then take a listen to the jazzy, 144BPM madness of the suitably bonkers "Abdos Fessier".
Review: Rekids features here two extraordinary re-edits of recent Radio Slave tracks by Pampa boss DJ Koze. Taken from his Feel The Same album, Matt Edwards has certainly received a brilliant rendition from the Hamburg legend right here.The euphoric remix of the title track still features the looped-up diva vocals of the original and is exactly the kind of track you'd expect him to drop on a Sunday night one of his his regular appearances at Panorama Bar. Then, the hard hitting and tunneling "Reverse" is more on the techno tip and originally appeared on 2017's Overdue EP. Both edits are secret weapons for any serious DJ's set.
Review: "Way" is Faraone's second EP for Rekids this year, but prior to this, he had already built up a distinguished catalogue for labels like Drumcode, Ovum and Moon Harbour. It's not hard to understand the attraction of this record to Rekids. The title track marries the pumping Radioslave approach to techno with jacking Chicago beats, stuttering vocals and tales of music industry hubris. Aside from the a cappella, Rekids has commissioned Addison Groove to deliver a high-paced, footwork takes on the Italian producer's original version. If that's too frenetic, then the dub acid rework, with its tough kicks, searing acid line and filtered vocal snatches, will appeal for those who like it tracky.
Review: "Good Luck" was originally released back in 2004 and was used that year as the theme tune for the BBC's Euro championships coverage. Now it gets the remix treatment from the prolific Butch. The first take sees the German producer focus on the infectious chant and Lisa Kekaula's vocals that are at the heart of the original and use as a back drop a solid, steely rhythm. On the dub version, deep chords and crisp percussion are brought to the fore, with the vocal reduced to a looped snippet, while the 'Drum Tool' version goes a few steps farther. Focusing on grainy kicks, Butch drops a filtered, rolling workout.
I Don't Understand (original mix) - (4:27) 122 BPM
I Don't Understand (Radio Slave remix) - (8:35) 122 BPM
I Don't Understand (Ryan James Ford Akihabaraa remix) - (5:52) 132 BPM
I Don't Understand (Ryan James Ford Hopea remix) - (5:33) 131 BPM
Review: The Loose Control Band is comprised of Jonah Sharp and DJ Spun. The former has established himself as a veteran producer - running the Reflective imprint in addition to working on seminal projects such as Spacetime Continuum and as Reagenz with Move D. Meanwhile, Rong Music's Jason Drummond has been a stalwart of New York's scene, running his prestigious Warm Up Music series and All Night Rong parties with regulars like DJ Harvey. They team up for the wonky, dusty and downright harsh "I Don't Understand", a slo-mo techno experiment. Label boss Radio Slave's remix up next is a more lo-slung and groovier affair that lends those cheeky vocals a bit more room to breathe. Then SHUT boss Ryan James Ford steps in to deliver a couple of renditions too - but for our money it's all about the euphoric, breaks-driven rave odyssey as heard on his Hope Remix.
Review: Following on from last year's remixes from Len Faki of Matt Edwards' 2008 Grindhouse come two new versions. First up are veterans Slam, who turn the track into a bleak-sounding but funky workout, the dense drums underpinning menacing bass tones, eerie vocal undercurrents and the sound of riotous war horns. The Scottish duo is always a hard act to follow, but on this occasion, Obscure Shape & SHDW acquit themselves admirably. For their remix, the German production pair up the tempo, lay down steely, urgent drums and a juggernaut rhythm that is sure to see "Grindhouse" careering into a techno club near you shortly.
Review: Being in the game for over 15 years, Sebastian Kloft has a vast discography. A longtime stalwart of the Mobilee label, until spreading his wings and leading to some of his most creative and exciting output thus far. His vinyl only label Scenario has had releases from top producers such as Ian Pooley, DJ Honesty, Jus Ed, Dan Curtin and DJ Deep. Moreover the Berlin native's continual rise includes releases on Bass Culture, Robsoul Recordings and Tsuba. Which leads us to Sebo K's debut on Matt Edwards' esteemed Rekids imprint - which 'exhibits a refreshing sound from the established artist' and we couldn't agree more! The album is possibly a tribute to the many phases of electronic music he has lived through. The dubby breaks driven '90s electronica on "Paradigm Change" is reminiscent of Future Sound Of London or Sabres Of Paradise. "Messier 78" with it's sensual elements and rumbling sub-bass is like jazzy drum & bass from the same era: just minus the Amens. Elsewhere, "Xhale" channels the spirit of his hometown heroes Cabinet Recordings (namely the acid energy of the legendary Lemon8), while "Transitions" with its emotive and soulful tones channels the British IDM sound of early Peacefrog or Planet E.
Review: It's been ten years since Matt Edwards unleashed Grindhouse on an unsuspecting techno public. To mark the occasion, he has recruited Len Faki to rework it. Faki's remixes are the latest in a long line of fine reshapes of this modern-day classic - following in the wake of versions from Dubfire, Terence Fixmer and Nic Fanciulli - and he acquits himself admirably. The Berghain resident's first 'Hardspace' version sees him drop punchy drums and relentless, rattling percussion as an accompaniment to Danton Eeprom's slurred vocals and the track's eerie synths. A brooding foghorn pierces the arrangement on the second 'Hardspace' version. This time, the drums are tougher and more dense and the same eerie synth line is audible in the background.
Review: Matt Edwards marked the 100th release in Rekids earlier this year with a release that featured "Feel the Same", and now he is putting out the debut Radio Slave album using the same title. It's a real mixed bag; "2nd Home" starts with gentle ambience and the dreamy breaks of "Forana", before the UK producer changes pace and drops the album version of the title track in all its vocal-heavy, driving glory. If its insistent riffs get too much, then there is the low-slung bass-heavy groove of "Trans" and the dubbed out abstractions of "Draw" to keep his audience guessing. Rekids may now be a house music institution, but as "Feel the Same" shows, it doesn't slide into predictability.
Review: Originally released earlier this year, Rekids now taps Floorplan for two brilliant remixes. ironically, it's Robert Hood's side project that has seen him receive the most recognition in recent years, and it's not hard to understand how this happened. The first Floorplan version of "Feel the Same" sees the Detroit producer deliver a jacking, grinding rhythm track, which underpins a lo-if riff and a female vocal intoning 'get back feel the same' on a loop. The second version is heavier and more suited to techno dance floors, as brooding chords swoop in over doubled up claps and the vocal is truncated to simply intone the track's title.
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