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Running Back
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RB 128D
10 May 24
Funky/Club House
10 May 24
Funky/Club House
Review: Running Back boss Gerd Janson has been a fan of Raphael Schon for some time. Last year, he reissued the German producer's 2021 breakthrough hit, 'Fiesta 2000', on the Misfit Melodies offshoot. Now he's gone further still, offering up an expansive EP of brand-new music by the producer, all of which is shot through with references to dance music's storied past. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the sparkling positivity of the 303 bass-powered 'Bearhit', the riff-happy retro-futurist smoothness of 'Do You Like That' - whose breakdowns and drops are suitably excitable - and the kaleidoscopic, near techno-tempo joy explosion that is 'Distant City Transport'. The more nu-disco and maximal house influenced 'Sometimes I Miss You' is also superb.
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RB 130D
12 Apr 24
Deep House
12 Apr 24
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: Sascha Funke's latest EP for Running Back Halle Weissensee pays homage to the iconic hallmarks of rave while makong sure to add more context than simple retro revivalism. Across its four tracks, Funke crafts a hypnotic blend of house and techno that seamlessly merges classic structures with contemporary production techniques, resulting in an EP that effortlessly navigates various sonic landscapes; taking in the classic jackin' numbers through contemplative deep house and progressive hypnotism. With an open-minded nod to nostalgia, tracks like "Reality" and the warped bleepiness of its title track echo the aesthetic of legendary rave nights, "Fantasy" and "Puzzle" explore various other facets of electronic music while giving a shouts out to Berlin's lake district too!
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RB 127D
29 Mar 24
Deep House
29 Mar 24
Deep House
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RB 127DS2
08 Mar 24
Deep House
08 Mar 24
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: Self-styled "international style pirate, sex icon and enigma of the Australian underground" Partiboi69 has been making waves in recent time, as much for his hedonistic and freewheeling approach to DJing as his (admittedly on-point) productions. This Running Back label debut is undoubtedly his most high-profile release yet, and one the imprint claims "shows his sensitive side". While that may be true to an extent musically - the synths and electronics are largely deep, dreamy and melodious - the beats beneath are still sweat-soaked, techno tempo workouts. Our picks of a very strong bunch are 'Bodies', a fiendishly sub-heavy workout topped off with looped vocal samples and rave-igniting keyboard riffs, the Pet Shop Boys-go-to-the-club flex of 'Feel This', and the melody-rich rush of 'Call of the Void'.
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RB 126D
01 Mar 24
Deep House
01 Mar 24
Deep House
Review: Ede and Deckert's wholehearted 2023 tribute to "80s alternative dance music", 'Immer', has been given the remix treatment. Narciss provides two contrasting takes: a 'Venice' version that re-imagines 'Immer' is a throbbing, all-action indie-dance anthem in the making (think Phones remixing the Futureheads, and you're close) and a grittier, delay-laden 'Salford Mix' that sounds like a tribute to Factory Records post-punk-dance period. Elsewhere, Curses deliver a mix that joins the dots between dreamy synth-pop and low-slung post-punk disco, Kid Simius joins the dots between proto-house and Hi-NRG, and Cinthie turns the track into a nostalgic, suitably sizable, big room house anthem.
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RB 123-12D
16 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
16 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: The press release accompanying Fango's first Running Back outing offers helpful hints for potential reviewers, with label boss Gerd Janson describing the Italian's "sound world" as one containing "techno punk, EBM house and outsider disco". Tongue-in-cheek as that may be, it's also astute. Title track 'Sarcosuco', for example, adds floaty, "chorus" synthesizer stabs, warming chords and rushing techno style melodic loops to an incessant bassline and sturdy beats, while 'Dimetrodonte' sits somewhere between EBM, Italo-disco and restless after-party house. He ups the tempo further on 'Diplodoco', a swirling, trance-influenced chunk of melodic techno, before rounding things off via the glassy-eyed rush-meets-lo-fi-techno-punk brilliance of 'Gastonia'.
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RB 122D
24 Nov 23
Deep House
24 Nov 23
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: Italy's Raffaele Martirani, AKA Panoram, returns with what is, if we're counting correctly, his sixth album-length outing, and his second for Gerd Janson's Running Back label. Leftfield, psychedelic and Balearic grooves are Martini's stock-in-trade, and the 12 tracks featured here run the gamut from gentle piano pieces like 'Blank Sheep' and the almost Disney-esque 'Flat Stones', via the introspective, cinematic 'Squid For A Day', the ethereal 'Bucolica' and the looping, dusty 'Dove Done Come', to haunting, off-kilter explorations like 'Ages' and 'There Is A Hole Here'. Unapologetically experimental and doodlesome, it won't be to everyone's taste but it'll be lapped-up gleefully by those whose ears are allergic to the rhythmically and melodically predictable.
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RBINC 010D
17 Nov 23
Balearic/Downtempo
17 Nov 23
Balearic/Downtempo
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RBINC 010DS1
15 Sep 23
Balearic/Downtempo
15 Sep 23
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: Tristan Hallis brings his "progressive traditionalist" DJ Boring project to Running Back for the very first time. It's a big look for Gerd Janson's label and Hallis has duly delivered a quintet of treats in his now trademark style. 'Beautiful Strangers', a dreamy, tactile and bleeping chunk of pitched up vocal-sporting dancefloor bliss, kicks things off, before Hallis opts for a bouncier, piano-sporting vibe on the rushing peak-time joy of 'Can't Fix a Broken Heart'. There's more of a sub-heavy, garage-influenced swing to 'When I'm With You (featuring Jasoer Tygner)', while 'False Attraction' is a locked-in treat that boasts two lengthy, saucer-eyed breakdowns. Hallis rounds off another rock-solid EP via the lo-fi breaks of 'Memories Fade'.
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RB 120D
16 Jun 23
Deep House
16 Jun 23
Deep House
Review: Following last year's Release Me, Redshape returns to Running Back with this rave-inspired EP. Drawing on euphoric sounds from the 90s, this four-tracker starts off with the title track. Led by dramatic string swoops and evocative chord builds, it contains an understated sense of menace. The same interplay between euphoria and moodiness is also audible on "Wing Wing", where an acid bass underpins colourful synth lines. "Acid Flow" is more pared back, with Redshape putting the focus on a warbling 303 and insistent percussion. Rounding off the release, the storied techno producer goes deeper with the sleek Detroit techno of "Redshape Frantic".
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RB 117D
02 Jun 23
Techno
02 Jun 23
Techno
Review: Krystal Klear is on a winning streak with his latest release, Automat Kingsland. The music on this album perfectly captures the artist's experiences over the past six months, featuring songs which are fast-paced and dynamic. His goal was to bring the feeling of being lost in the busyness of life to the dancefloor, with music combining both joyful and bittersweet elements to create an overall mix of emotions. Recorded in various cities and now being shared with you through Gerd Janson's Running Back, it's an album that never stops and keeps pushing boundaries
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RB 118D
19 May 23
Funky/Club House
19 May 23
Funky/Club House
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RB 117DS
12 May 23
Techno
12 May 23
Techno
Review: The latest offering from Digitalism, Back To Haus, is a testament to the Hamburg-based duo's ability to infuse classic house with a modern twist. From the catchy title track, to the hypnotic beats of "Chicagostrasse" and the energetic party jam of "4TH Floor" - this album is a DJ's dream. The final track, "Warehaus", is a positively destructive beat tool that's sure to get any dancefloor moving. Back To Haus is a double album that's worth every minute of listening time, showcasing Digitalism's talent for producing quality electronic music that stands the test of time.
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RB 116D
28 Apr 23
Deep House
28 Apr 23
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: First released way back in 1995 as the debut 12" on the now iconic Playhouse label, 'Surprise' is undoubtedly a significant house record: a German-made deep house number whose blend of synth-strong stabs, skipping drums, righteous organ riffs and vintage disco vocal samples that sounded authentically American. As this Running Back reissue of the Roman Flugel/Jorn Elling Wuttke-produced cut shows, the track sounds as fresh now as it did 28 years ago. The original mix comes backed with a quartet of revisions from '895 and '96: the delightfully glitchy, off-kilter Isolee re-rub; the extended dub style 'Fake Jazz Mix''; the trancey, acid-fired and bleeping 'Holy Garage Remix'; and a dusty, loopy, spaced-out revision by Losoul.
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RBDC 11D
21 Apr 23
Deep House
21 Apr 23
Deep House
Review: Whether it's Firas Waez's solo work or collaborations with Matrefakt, his music is a blend of modern tools with an appreciation for the ancient magic and positivity of the genre. Appearing as his studio character 9th House here on the Midas EP, he's teamed up with Running Back to create a set of upbeat and heartfelt house tracks. Featuring uplifting chords, joyous melodies and lively drums, the music has an infectious feel that's hard to resist. One standout is the title track, which features sharp peak-time magic that stimulates endorphins and brings a flush to the cheeks. Overall, the five tracks provide a welcome escape and serve as talisman against trying times.
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RB 115D
31 Mar 23
Deep House
31 Mar 23
Deep House
Various
Review: Running Back Acid Sampler is dedicated to the twang of Roland's silver bassline box with a varied string of artists: Minneapolis' finest, DVS1, gets the hypnotic room in effect on "Lower Wacker Drive", Versatile chief I:Cube will have you trippin' down the cosmic hole on the slo-mo "Folle Noir", while there's some good ol' fashioned 303 squelch done proper on Prins Thomas' Diskomiks of Like A Tim's "Wonderline" and Katerina nails that classic Chicago acid house sound on "Meet Chu In My Dreams".
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RBACIDEP 1D
03 Mar 23
Techno
03 Mar 23
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: 14 years have passed since Jack Hamill broke through with a series of inspired releases that defined the Space Dimension Controller sound - club-ready but undeniably intergalactic, emotive, starry-eyed and like nothing else around - but he's still consistently delivering inspired, must-check EPs. 'Neuclidea', his first Running Back release, is another gem, with the title track - a sparse but typically spacey techno number blessed with plenty of his trademark synth sounds and subtle nods to '90s ambient - is arguably the standout, with Hodge's accompanying remix providing a more tooled-up, rave-ready revision for those seeking more straight-up peak-time thrills. Elsewhere, 'Life Window (Extended Version)' is 90s ambient techno re-imagined for chip-tune lovers, while 'Sunset Operator' is the EP's most emotive, dreamy and tactile club cut.
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RB 114D
27 Jan 23
Deep House
27 Jan 23
Deep House
Various
Review: The fifth volume in Running Back's ongoing multi-artist EP series, 'One Swallow Doesn't Make a Summer', is certainly action-packed. It features five tracks from a mix of label regulars and talented newcomers. Michael Davidson dons the Moritz alias for the EP-opening neo Italo-disco shimmer of mid-tempo gem 'Flying Saucer', before debutant Amount peppers a druggy, tribal-tinged cosmic groove with weirdo chords and Jew's Harp sounds. Elsewhere, Storken and JStraaf join forces for the moody, percussively intricate minimal house haziness of 'Tunghugg', Archie Ward goes deep into sparse, post-electro territory on 'Pizza Girl' and Jonus Eric submerges us in a bath of loved-up pads, gentle acid-lines and ultra-deep house grooves on standout 'Fairlight'.
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RB 0855D
25 Nov 22
Deep House
25 Nov 22
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: Following the pleasingly experimental, thoughtful, and left-of-centre vibes of his 2021 album Chameleon, Anthony Naples returns to peak-time dancefloors via a fine EP of tried-and-tested treats on Running Back. There's a bouncy-but-driving feel to opener 'Swerve', where raw sounds and relaxing piano motifs leap above a stabbing bassline and sweaty techno beats, while 'Here With You' is dark, heavy and intoxicated with razor-sharp TB-303 riffs. Over on side B, Napes opts for a pleasingly blissed-out sound on breakbeat shuffler 'Right As The Sun Goes' before switching to a more immersive, acid-flecked deep house sound on fine closing cut 'Be To'.
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RB 111D 3
22 Jul 22
Deep House
22 Jul 22
Deep House
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RB 111D 2
28 Jun 22
Deep House
28 Jun 22
Deep House
Review: Following on from 2020's Ego Rave, Deetron returns to Running Back with an evocative, club-friendly release. The sense of euphoric energy is audible from the get-go, with "Mind Eclipse" (TranceHouzzTool)" resounding to swirling, shimmering synths and a spine-tingling breakdown. "HG" follows a similar path, with Deetron dropping tranced out melodies over rolling snares, doubled-up claps and a wiry rhythm. "Phoenix" is leaner and has a more contemporary sound, with tonal bleeps supported by a pulsating groove, while on "The Shore" Deetron channels the energy of the Dutch West Coast's electro sound, fusing cosmic melodies with a bubbly Italo Disco rhythm.
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RB 110D
17 Jun 22
Techno
17 Jun 22
Techno
Played by: Johannes Albert, Alkalino, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Techno, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat)
Review: Mask-sporting techno titan Redshape (real name Sebastian Kramer) can usually be relied upon to deliver the goods, particularly when it comes to the warmly nostalgic, timeless-sounding outings he delivers on Running Back. There's a definite "back-to-the-future" feel to 'Release Me (Base Mix)', a jacking slab of acid house/techno fusion piled high with psychedelic TB-303 lines, booming bass and creepy, held-note chords. He explores the track's vintage Chicago House influences further on the more stomping, acid-fired 'Windy Mix', before opting for a warmer and bouncier techno sound on 'Bonuz Me' (check the melodious, looped riffs and synth-strings). Closing cut 'Second Ten', meanwhile, sounds like vintage Mr Fingers updated for the Berlin techno generation.
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RB 108D
13 May 22
Deep House
13 May 22
Deep House
Played by: Mirror People
Review: As Krystal Klear, Dec Lennon has always prioritised colourful synth sounds and sparkling, life-affirming electronics. Once upon a time, that was via boogie-influenced beats and 21st century electrofunk; these days, it's usually by serving up unashamedly positive, spine-tingling house cuts that are as rush-inducing as they come. That's the mode he's in on his latest Running Back outing, giddily bouncing between the immersive, Italo-influenced house bliss of 'Mega Chords (Long Version)', the kaleidoscopic synth builds and saucer-eyed breakdowns of 'Our Signal', the all-action, Italo-disco surge of 'Telephone (Long Version)' and the darker, New Wave-influenced house hum of 'Paris Metro'.
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RB 107D
15 Apr 22
Disco/Nu-Disco
15 Apr 22
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Review: Gerd Janson has looked beyond his usual roster of producers on the latest edition of Running Back's multi-artist EP series. The result is a five-track missive full of genuine gems and scintillating sonic surprises. Our picks of a very strong bunch are the rushing piano house revivalism of Delphi's extra-positive '7_11 House' and the full-throttle, acid-fired breakbeat house hedonism of Baldo's 'Human Connection', where bold chords and fizzing TB-303 lines catch the ear. Elsewhere, Yungrutz's 'Starlight' sounds a little like Tuff City Kids after a couple of drags on a jazz cigarette, 9th House's 'Ara' is a simmering, string-laden treat and Signal Mute's 'Reminiscence' is an exceptionally emotive chunk of tingling deep house beauty.
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RB 0854
12 Nov 21
Deep House
12 Nov 21
Deep House
Review: Ah, mid-80s Germany... stonewashed jeans, Cold War paranoia, Nina Hagen, rent boys at the Bahnhof Zoo, the Sony Walkman, Alphaville and some truly horrendous multi-coloured shellsuits. That's the musical and cultural backdrop against which this five-track, eight-mix EP from Annegret Fiedler AKA Perel operates, by and large - though the DFA and Running Back regular does find room, too, for hints of Gaga-esque pop on 'Internal Monologue', as well as an excursion into electro territory on the sparse, bodypopper-friendly 'In The Box'. If spiky indie-dance with a coldwave twist is your bag, step right on in.
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RB 103D
18 Jun 21
Disco/Nu-Disco
18 Jun 21
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Back in 2018, Klasse Wrecks main man Luca Lozano made his bow on Running Back with Boss Moves, an album-length excursion full of sweaty, revivalist rave workouts. This belated follow-up is a little more nuanced and eclectic musically, but it remains full of audible references to the music of the Sheffield-raised, Berlin-based producer's youth. Along the way, you'll find deep and immersive, ambient techno-influenced breakbeat, hip-house/mid-90s US garage fusion, acid-fired dancefloor psychedelia, vibrant synth sounds and tons of Lozano's beloved Yorkshire bleeps. There's plenty of club-ready fodder across the set, of course, but there's enough melody, variation and atmosphere to make it an album (whether they're calling it that or not) that also sounds great at home.
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RB 102D
04 Jun 21
Deep House
04 Jun 21
Deep House
Review: It's been a while since Roman Flugel last delivered an album, and that was the all-ambient Themes I-XIII in 2018. Eating Darkness, the German veteran's fifth solo full-length, is therefore well overdue. It's a quietly confident and undeniably entertaining affair, with the former Alter Ego man smartly sashaying between evocative IDM ('Magic Briefcase', 'The Best is Yet To Come', the Autechre-ish 'Eating Darkness'), druggy slo-mo fare ('Chemicals'), raw new wave throb-jobs ('Wow'), acid-flecked jack-tracks ('Jocks & Freaks'), hypnotic late night minimal techno ('Cluttered Homes'), drowsy downtempo cheeriness ('Locked'), beautiful ambient synth-scapes ('Charles') and revivalist Euro-disco pump ('D.I.S.C.O'). Throughout, Flugel reaches for vintage analogue and modular synthesizer sounds, giving the album a distinctively timeless feel.
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RBLP 15D
07 May 21
Minimal/Tech House
07 May 21
Minimal/Tech House
Played by: ROTCIV, Dj Steef, Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat)
Review: Having previously joined forces with Running Back to launch his own label, Sister Midnight, it's no surprise to find Roman Flugel pitching up on Gerd Janson's popular imprint with a brand-new imprint. The Anima EP is a teaser for the veteran producer's forthcoming album, Eating Darkness, though all of the tracks are exclusive to this release. The headline attraction is undoubtedly 'D.I.S.C.O', a jaunty, life-affirming fusion of throbbing, sequenced synth bass, sparkling lead lines and progressive trance motifs that comes accompanied by a deeper and more trippy-sounding Dub mix. Elsewhere, 'Anima' is a wonky and minimalistic chunk of off-kilter micro-house, while 'Eating Darkness' is a fine slab of revivalist '90s IDM complete with dark and mind-bending modular sounds.
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RB 097D
19 Mar 21
Disco/Nu-Disco
19 Mar 21
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: Bella Boo's debut album, 2019's Studio Barnhus-released Once Upon a Passion, was a gloriously off-kilter affair that neatly distilled her numerous dancefloor influences into one inspired package. Happily, we can confirm that this follow-up on Running Back is every bit as interesting and expansive, with the Stockholm-based producer darting between melodious electronica, hazy, sample-rich deep house, tantalising snippets of experimental deep D&B (see 'In Love'), melodious broken beat ('Together We Will Be Fine'), 8-bit dream-scapes (the hard-to-pigeonhole 'Free'), chunky two-step ('Don't Stop') and immersive, glassy-eyed ambient ('NT4 (Outro)'). In other words, it delivers further confirmation that Boo is one of the most exciting artists around right now.
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RB 096D
04 Dec 20
Deep House
04 Dec 20
Deep House
Review: Deetron follows last year's Body Electric release on Running Back with a fine dance floor-based EP inspired by his formidable DJing. "Ego Rave B" is a seductive, bubbling electronic groove that supports woozy, cosmic synths, while on "Ego Rave D" and its "D1" variant, he goes down a tracky route, with dense drums and snappy percussion providing the basis for old school techno bleeps. There are also remnants of the Swiss DJ's more peak time selections: "Ego Rave A", sees Deetron fuse tranced out hooks with gentle piano keys, while "Ego Rave C" is a wide-eyed, good time electro-techno track.
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RB 095D
20 Nov 20
Techno
20 Nov 20
Techno
Various
Played by: Bertrand Contador
Review: As the title suggests, this surprise compilation of exclusive material from Gerd Janson's Running Back label was put together in response to the killing of George Floyd, and in order to raise funds for the National Association for the NAACP's Legal Defence Fund. Given his connections, it's perhaps unsurprising that Janson has managed to tease out terrific tracks from the likes of KiNK (the sparkling, synth-laden goodness of 'Machine Funk'), Genius of Time (a fine dub of the dusty, ultra-deep late night hypnotism of 'Network Labyrinth'), Roman Flugel (the snappy analogue heaviness of 'Feel The Heat (String Mix)' and Tiger & Woods (rainbow-coloured deep Italo-disco jam 'Lonely Toad').
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RBNAACP 1D
02 Oct 20
Deep House
02 Oct 20
Deep House
Played by: Kenneth Bager // Musicfordreams
Review: For the latest missive on their "non-dancefloor"-focussed "Incarnations" offshoot, Running Back has turned to returning artist Feater, AKA Daniel Meuzard. The Vienna-based producer has delivered a seven-track set that counts as his sophomore album, following the release of admired full-length debut "Socialo Blanco" in 2019. Musically, "Money" is impressively diverse, flitting between kwaito-inspired, synth-laden dancefloor warmth (the jaunty ttle track), spaced-out ambient oddness ("How Green Was My Wallet", "Curves"), heady post-punk pop revivalism (the near-Balearic "Blood Moon"), percussion-heavy synthesizer soundscapes ("Lost In Logic"), Clavinet-sporting, White Isle-friendly wonders (standout "Vento") and clanking, modular-made electronica ("Big Zero").
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RBINC0 07LPD
11 Sep 20
Disco/Nu-Disco
11 Sep 20
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: With a considerable back catalogue of EPs on techno labels like Cocoon, Token and his own Exploration imprint, Johannes Volk is not the most obvious name to feature on Running Back. However, Extra Dimensions contains a number of surprises: the title track is a hypnotic, pulsating slice of electronic disco, more Moroder than Mills, while on "Reload Love", Volk draws on the influence of Kevin Saunderson's E-Dancer project to deliver an ominous bass that unfolds over skippy break beats and lithe percussion. "An Old Android On A Broken Piano" remains in the Detroit area, thanks to its euphoric keys and rolling groove. Meanwhile, "Hypno Hypno" sees the German producer continue to deliver the unexpected with a vocodered vocal sequence realised against chiming bells and breaks, while on "Rainbow Rockets" there's a melodic electro sound
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RB 093D
04 Sep 20
Techno
04 Sep 20
Techno
Played by: OOFT!, Lexx, Juno Recommends Techno, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat), Simonlebon (Luv Shack Records)
Review: Prins Thomas follows last year's Ambitions long player with a somewhat different proposition. Inspired by early 90s trance and wrapping this influence around a variety of tempos and grooves, Traens is an interesting departure. The foreboding bass of "Traens 2" and "Traens 3" are sure to appeal to those who want a big room take on sounds of a bygone era, while the pumping, acid-soaked "Traens 6" is a pure, old school track. This only tells half the story however, and on "Traens 4", Thomas draws on his love of sleek disco grooves to create a spaced out, cosmic affair. There are also traces of Balearic flair, and the deep, sensuous house of "Traens 5" shows that while Prins Thomas is caught in a trance moment, he remains rooted in disco.
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RBLP 14D
10 Jul 20
Techno
10 Jul 20
Techno
Played by: Christophe Quinlivan-Hunt, Juno Recommends Deep House, Marco Giannini (Sticky Heat), Shan, JAMES ROD, Andy Buchan
Review: Between 1965 and '68, future Muppets creator Jim Henson spent much time drawing and painting "the entertainment experience of the future - the theatre of the year 2020", which he called Cyclia. It's this psychedelic nightclub vision that inspired Krystal Klear's "Cyclia" series of EPs. There's much to enjoy on this suitably colourful and retro-futurist second EP, from the sleazy, synth-heavy Italo-disco/trance fusion of opener "Future Fantasy", to the bubbling electronic motifs, sequenced synth-bass and "Labyrinth" movie soundtrack vibes of slow-motion closing cut "Genesis". In between you'll find the dark, pulsating and muscular electronic disco/hypnotic house fusion of "One Night In Pbar" and the neo-trance grandiosity of "Dutch Gold".
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RB 0862D
10 Apr 20
Deep House
10 Apr 20
Deep House
Review: Dusky's first outing for Running Back, "Life Signs", was arguably one of their most euphoric and uplifting releases to date, so it's little surprise to find that this much-anticipated sequel explores similar sonic territory. The future anthem is undoubtedly "Metropolis", a shimmering retro-futurist number that layers bleeping lead lines and spine-tingling pads atop a weighty analogue bassline and heavy beats. You get vocal and dub mixes, with the former making great use of a loved-up female vocal snippet that adds to the cut's old school credentials. Elsewhere, "Seed Tray" is a rushing, warehouse-ready stomper smothered in rave-era piano stabs, "Mushroom Samba" adds bleeps to a suitably psychedelic, all-action backing track, and "Fridge" is a nostalgic, retro-futurist romp that defies easy categorization.
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RB 089D
14 Feb 20
Deep House
14 Feb 20
Deep House
Review: For the fifth volume in the label's "Double Copy" reissue series, Running Back boss Gerd Janson has turned his attention to the blink-and-you'll-miss-it career of Subtle Houzze, a short-lived collaboration between Boris Dlugosch and the late Gary D, who were then resident DJs at competing Hamburg clubs. This edition of the pair's 1992 EP "Controversy" features two cuts from that four-tracker - the stomping techno-soul brilliance of "Hemisphere (Blade mix)" and the dreamy new age deep house hustle of "The Traveller" - plus two alternate versions from the vaults. There's the slightly smoother and more melodious deep house/tech-soul fusion of "Hemisphere" in its' original mix form, and the rich, glassy-eyed deepness of "Magic Traveller", which owes a great debt to New Jersey house and garage releases from the period.
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RBDC 05D
24 Jan 20
Deep House
24 Jan 20
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: Italian producer Maurizio Cavaliere specialises in downtempo, Balearic and ambient music with a slightly darker edge - as is entirely befitting for a producer who takes his artist name from a very strange unsolved murder mystery from 1980s Germany (look it up). Here, he comes to Running Back with his debut artist album, featuring six moody, synthesizer-led cuts that conjure visions of a 'Bladerunner'-like cinematic dystopia, and that sit somewhere between Philip Glass, cosmic disco and Burial - however unlikely that may sound! Downtempo it may be, but easy listening coffee shop muzak this certainly is not...
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RBINC 005D
17 Jan 20
Balearic/Downtempo
17 Jan 20
Balearic/Downtempo
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RB 074RMXD1
05 Jul 19
Techno
05 Jul 19
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Issued on Running Back's Incantations offshoot, A Sagittariun's latest album is a diverse affair. While it features the kind of tripped out techno that this producer has become synonymous with over the years - check "Watch The Skies!" and "Life Is The Illusion, Love Is The Dream" - it also boasts off-centre tracks such as scuffled industrial funk of "Once Upon A Time" and "Last Of The Crazy Baldheads". Heights is also notable in that it features tripped out jams like the cosmic-disco of "Lazer Battle At The OK Coral" and "Dream Stealers" as well as the broken beats of "Version Excursion". It shows that A Sagittariun is a more rounded artists that some of his club releases may have suggested.
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RBINC 004D
07 Jun 19
Techno
07 Jun 19
Techno
Review: It's hard to think of a label that would be less likely to release Neil Landstrumm's music than Running Back, so this EP underlines the fact that anything is possible. Admittedly, the Scottish producer has tempered his sound somewhat for Shitting Diamonds; "Sex With Madonna" and "Centurion X" both see the maverick producer make his sound more accessible, thanks to the pulsating bass tones and synths that swirl in overhead in majestic fashion. "Shame" also revolves around a throbbing bass-line but on this occasion, the synths and approach are more lo-fi. "Night Walker Zwei" meanwhile is a tougher techno work out, while he ends the release with the chugging electronic disco of "HI_Lm".
from $1.89
RB 077
10 May 19
Electro
10 May 19
Electro
