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Soma
Various
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: The Exhibit series aims to showcase emerging artists who operate at the raw end of the techno spectrum. While not a new act, label owners Slam get the ball rolling with their own "Exhibit 3", which revisits the raw, jacking sound of their Snapshots release. EJA's "Detachment Theory" represents a more contemporary take on underground techno. Led by a pumping, heads-down groove and relentless, doubled-up claps, it also features mysterious synth builds. Similarly atmospheric sounds inhabit Skjöld's "Stearic Acid" - but on this occasion, they are woven into a stripped back, percussive groove. Favouring a more abrasive direction, ANNĒ's "Keinlicht" revolves around a visceral rhythm and ominous synth lines, echoing vintage Steve Bicknell.
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SOMA662D
22 Mar 24
Techno
22 Mar 24
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Soma opens its 2024 account with a heads-down debut EP from Diego Oroquieta. "Sabor Mango" starts the release in hypnotic mode, as wave upon wave of chords build and ebb over a dense, rolling groove. "Vaguada Costera" follows in a similar vein, with intense, layered textures unravelling over a slamming rhythm. In contrast, "Jinete sin Cabeza" focuses on a stripped back approach, as Oroquieta drops a driving, metallic rhythm. Rounding off the release in style is "Cuerpo Endomorfo". Centred on tough drums and a relentless groove, augmented by dramatic drops, this combination makes for a lean and highly effective club techno track.
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SOMA 663D
09 Feb 24
Techno
09 Feb 24
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Soma's Collective Process is designed to connect the dots between modern techno's disparate sounds. The tenth edition of the series achieves this feat in style. Aida Arko's "Just One Dream" resounds to a hammering rhythm and hypnotic, textured swirls. Farnaz' contribution, "Surrounded By Fascination" may unfolds to a frenetic pace but it is also musical, thanks to the use of building chords. On "Inner Movements", Fixon & Pushmann deliver a lean, drum-heavy groove that builds and drops seductively thanks to the use of tripped out tones and coruscating riffs. And last but by no means least is the funk bass-led of Philippe Petit's "Evolution".
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SOMA 661D
08 Dec 23
Techno
08 Dec 23
Techno
Various
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Like its predecessor, the second volume of Exhibit shines a light on tough, hypnotic techno. Diego Oroquieta's "Friccion" captures the more atmospheric end of this dance floor-focused sound, as wave upon wave of tones build over a rolling groove. A similar approach is audible on Paula Koski's "Fever Coat". Led by doubled-up claps and a steely rhythm, Koski weaves in hypnotic bleeps - the end result is not radically dissimilar to vintage Function. The compilation also showcases a more percussive style. Audible on Michel Lauriola's drum-heavy "Intuition", it finds its fullest expression on the hard-edged loops of Klint's peak-time banger, "The Encounter".
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SOMA 660D
24 Nov 23
Techno
24 Nov 23
Techno
Various
Review: The ninth volume of Collective Process sees Soma bring together new, exciting talent from across the spectrum. BENKLIFA's "Double Sektion" is a barrelling percussive techno track. Led by cavernous kicks and featuring coruscating riffs, it's brilliantly executed peak-time material. Oliver Deutschmann's "Sonntags Im Studio" follows in a similar, slightly more restrained vein, as heavy drums power a linear arrangement. There are some exceptions to this approach - Mist Gasp's "Unclear Skies" is a murky, dense affair and End Train's "Capacity" is an evocative dub techno jam with robotic vocals - but as the intense, splintered rhythm and looped vocal sample of Orion's "Hollow Cause" demonstrate, the main focus of this ninth edition is hard-hitting club techno.
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SOMA 657D
13 Oct 23
Techno
13 Oct 23
Techno
Various
Review: The eighth volume of Collective Process sees Soma bring together some of techno's finest new talent. Auspex gets the compilation off to a frenetic start on "Sediment". Joining the dots between ghetto and looped techno, it's a tough, effective track. Dolby D & MarAxe's "Combat Kalimba" inhabits a similar space. On this occasion however, the focus is on dense, steely percussion and dense drums. On "Bipping", Elyas & Anta further up the pace with a lean, jacking rhythm. It's not all high-speed thrills though. Rey Brennan's "My Brain Is Mush" is a hypnotic tribal workout, while on "Beskar", Janein conjures up layered dub textures.
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SOMA 654D
25 Aug 23
Techno
25 Aug 23
Techno
Review: Soma continues to support underground music, and the latest artist to feature on the storied label is Ear To Ground boss Gareth Wild. "Deviance Is Bliss (2023 Re-Edit)" is built on hammering kicks and tribal percussion, but it's all about the dramatic synth line that floats through the arrangement. The title track is a more heads-down affair, as Wild drops murky sequences over a steely rhythm. "Ambush" is based on a rolling groove and features a dramatic filter that calls to mind the mood of Envoy's Soma classic "Dark Manoeuvres". On "Tangled Thorns", Wild opts for a more intense approach as jittery sound scapes are conjured up over pounding drums.
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SOMA 651D
14 Jul 23
Techno
14 Jul 23
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Non Reversible follows 2020's Extinction release on Soma with this fine purist techno EP. "Resolute" is a looped groove, featuring dense filters and clicking percussion. On "Disordine", Non Reversible also follows a repetitive approach - this time the rhythm is more sparse and angular with steely percussion hitting hard on each bar. "Plurality" continues this theme, with a focus on a firing groove and filtered organ riffs that swirl in with menace. Meanwhile, "Darshan" sees Non Reversible drop another looped techno groove - on this occasion, it's a rolling affair that resounds to incessant, building filters. If you are looking for a release that realises the spirit of 90s techno in a contemporary approach, your search is over.
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SOMA 649D
26 May 23
Techno
26 May 23
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Lewis Fautzi, a prominent figure in the Portuguese techno scene, returns to Soma with his latest EP, 'Properties Specifications'. Having been a mainstay on the Soma roster for a decade, Fautzi has made a name for himself as one of techno's most recognizable acts, with a sound that has evolved over the years while remaining fresh and modern. The EP opens with 'Density', a visceral and hypnotic track that builds with electric synth hooks and subtle drive. 'Severity' takes things down a dark and hypnotic path, guided by polyrhythmic percussion and a pulsating groove. 'Malleability' showcases Fautzi's control over specific elements, creating new depths of rhythm through the track. Finally, 'Tension' closes out the EP with an emphatic bang, featuring thumping low end, crisp percussion, twisted synths, and dark atmospheres. Soma, the titanic Scottish techno label, continues to impress with their consistent output, and Lewis Fautzi's EP is no exception.
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SOMA647D
12 May 23
Techno
12 May 23
Techno
Review: Soma welcomes back ANNE, a promising Greek producer, for her debut solo release on the label, the Blossom Tool EP. Since featuring on a Soma Collective Process VA, ANNE's career has been flourishing, with numerous releases on renowned imprints and a busy DJ schedule around the world. With her latest EP, ANNE continues to develop her signature style of deep, groove-focused techno. The EP opens with the title track, Blossom Tool, a catchy and minimalistic composition featuring a contagious beat and understated synth work. Cardigan picks up the tempo but maintains the focus on driving, deep drums and expertly-crafted percussive elements. The aptly-named Hideous is a trippy and hypnotic track that showcases ANNE's skillful use of raw grooves and subtle, sweeping pads. The EP closes with Off Grid, which draws inspiration from early hard groove and combines driving basslines, funky percussion, and clever synth hooks for a fantastic finish.
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SOMA648D
28 Apr 23
Techno
28 Apr 23
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: After his own Children Of Tomorrow label, Soma is fast becoming the default platform for Arnaud Le Texier. On Elements, he shows why Slam's imprint keeps releasing his music. The title track is a hypnotic roller, with ghostly synths woven into the tribal drums. "Polarisation" is more visceral, with Le Texier fusing noisy riffs with utilitarian hi hats and a driving rhythm. "Assign" maintains this intensity level as he drops a bruising drum track, while the ironically named "Be Gentle" follows a similar path. Building on the approach used on "Assign", he copper-fastens nickel-plated percussion to the driving rhythm, rounding off this release in fine, banging style.
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SOMA 638D
28 Nov 22
Techno
28 Nov 22
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Roll Dann has been putting out music on Soma since 2018, and now he delivers another hard-hitting release for the storied label. "The Downfall" resounds to a predatory, rolling bass and rasping, chain-mail percussion, with these elements powering the stepping groove. "Reality Colours" is a straighter arrangement, with Roll Dann dropping a lean, linear rhythm and relentless, dense hi-hats. "Three Sisters In A Row" sees the Spanish producer continue in this trajectory, with the use of filtered stabs adding an extra layer of depth. He rounds off the release with a visceral track, as the intense bass tones of "Suburbs" lays bare Roll Dann's hard techno roots.
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SOMA 614D
03 Sep 21
Techno
03 Sep 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Slam return to their Soma label with a hard-edged but distinctive four-tracker. First up is"SD 00.01", where the veteran duo bring the listener on a white knuckle ride through dense loops, an experience that's made all the more exhilarating thanks to the use of dynamic filters and frosty synths. "SD 00.02" is constructed using a similar approach, but in this instance shimmering chords and menacing stabs are fused to create a mesmerising peak-time track. The third track draws on the trance heritage of Thomas Heckmann, with epic builds copper fastened to a rolling groove, while the fourth and final "SD" track sees Slam deploy a similar approach, this time as melodic hooks are set to a dense, looped arrangement.
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SOMA 611D
23 Jul 21
Techno
23 Jul 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Temudo follows last year's Unnecessary release on Soma with this fine, hard-edge EP. "Torres Vedras 8am" revolves around dense kicks and filters that sweep in merciless. It's lean, linear and deadly effective. "Calmakira" meanwhile sees Temudo go down a stripped back route, with a rolling, drum-heavy rhythm punctuated by crisp percussion. On "Deserves It", the Portuguese producer decides for a more abrasive option, dropping a stop-start angular rhythm that sounds like a malfunctioning seek foundry. But he returns to the dance floor for "Look Down Say Nothing", where a rolling groove is powered by a steely drum loop.
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SOMA 607D
28 May 21
Techno
28 May 21
Techno
Various
Review: This new compilation series is dedicated to showcasing emerging talent, and for the first instalment, Soma maintains a local focus. Neoma is from the label's hometown of Glasgow and makes his Soma debut here with the high-paced, tranced out "Abduction". Lisaloof is another Glaswegian techno talent, who impresses with the gritty, slamming industrial of "Down The Vaults", while Kairogen's "Mineral" marks a radical departure in sound, with its layered, mesmerising ambience. It's only a temporary blip, however; Balrog drops "Tokyo Drift", a visceral, acid-soaked slice of hardcore while Joe Farr delivers a pummelling panel beater in the shape of "Beaky".
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SOMA 605D
30 Apr 21
Techno
30 Apr 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Norbak aka Artur Moreira follows two killer Eps on Soma last year with another fine release for the label. The tile track is especially distinctive, with Moreira combining a rolling tribal groove with multi-layered textures that flow and ebb over the dense drums. "Mirante" is more overt, as Norbak drops a pounding, industrial groove that's populated by niggling percussive elements. "Direction Towards Chaos" sees him opt for a similar approach, with a lean, stepping rhythm that takes influence from the Regis school of angular techno. Soma has also tapped two of Europe's best producers for remixes: Oscar Mulero lends "Mirante" some added weight thanks to the use of insistent filters, while Lewis Fautzi strips back the title track, turning it into a dark, peak-time banger.
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SOMA 599D
16 Apr 21
Techno
16 Apr 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Soma owners Slam have been making techno records for over 30 years and their latest EP sees them focus on peak-time sounds. "The Passage" sounds like it took inspiration from the hypnotic tones of Plastikman's remix of System 7's "Alphawave", fusing these elements with massive kick drums and sweeping percussion. Meanwhile, on the title track, Slam draw on classic early 90s records from UR and Jeff Mills as inspiration for its searing rave/industrial riffs. This intense release also features "Deflect": more linear than the other tracks, its pounding drums and layer upon layer of metallic percussion is no-thing short of exhilarating.
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SOMA 604D
09 Apr 21
Techno
09 Apr 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Salvatore 'SLV' Castelli has been releasing music on Soma for the past five years, and this latest missive sees him deliver a darker strain of techno. "Perpetual Slaughter" is a rave-heavy affair, with a rolling rhythm underpinning dense electronic riffs and a tortured vocal sample. "Phoenix Rising" sees him remain in this general field; fuelled by propulsive percussion and a wild bass, its hectic rhythm is populated by ominous riffs. Label owners Slam remix "Slaughter", streamlining the approach to deliver a linear affair, while Soma has also recruited Thomas Heckmann to rework the title track: in the German veteran's hands, it's transformed into a pumping affair, powered by one of his trademark visceral basslines.
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SOMA 602D
05 Mar 21
Techno
05 Mar 21
Techno
Review: Soma celebrates its 600th release with a debut on the label from Optic Nerve aka Keith Tucker. This side project is focused more on deep techno than Tucker's signature electro sound as Aux 88, and Far Away is a mesmerising trip through Detroit sounds. The title track, with its hissing percussion and spaced out synth lines, provides the basis for ponderous vocals, while on "Channel Z", Tucker fuses rolling 808s with frosty pads and a snaking bass. "Techno Programming" is the most club-centred groove, with a menacing low end and dubbed out claps at its centre, while Motor City act Strand inject some machine-led soul into their version of "Techno Programming".
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SOMA 600D
19 Feb 21
Techno
19 Feb 21
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Electric City may be Jerm's debut release on Soma, but this fast-rising producer impresses with a hard-hitting, industrial EP. "Control Theory" is a dense, looped track that resounds to a pulsating electronic bass, while on "Glass Chin", he picks up the pace and intensity levels to deliver a pounding, peak-time track littered with deft drops and builds. "Maiden Voyage" isn't as visceral, but it does see the Greek producer fuse splintered shards of electronic noise with ghoulish samples, while "Booze Cruise" is a tough, stomping affair, in the Joey Beltram mould. Rounding off this fine debut is Manni Dee's pounding take on "Control Theory".
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SOMA 587D
25 Sep 20
Techno
25 Sep 20
Techno
Review: Lewis Fautzi continues his long relationship with Soma on State Of Pressure. This is an expertly crafted big room techno release; the title track centres on a pounding drum pattern, with phased filters and a one-note riff a constant throughout the arrangement. "Epidemic of Wellness" opts for a slightly more nuanced sound, as a dense, tribal rhythm provides the basis for repetitive stabs and soaring, filtered riffs. Soma has also tapped two emerging producers as remixers: N?rbak turns the title track into a more linear, streamlined rhythm, while Temudo's version of "Wellness" focuses on a frazzled electro bass and busy, nagging percussion.
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SOMA 589D
18 Sep 20
Techno
18 Sep 20
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Following their Archive Edits release last year, Slam return to their label with a no-nonsense dance floor techno EP. "Capture" is a searing, high-octane track, led by mesmerising filters, a repetitive vocal shriek and wave upon wave of phased percussion. The addition of Beltram-esque rave stabs adds to the sense of drama. On "False", the Scottish duo opt for a more stripped back approach, but the end result is just as effective, with hammering percussion and tough drums supporting clanging riffs. Rounding off this formidable release is "Episode", a linear club track that resounds to steely drums and a rolling, hypnotic rhythm.
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SOMA 584D
21 Aug 20
Techno
21 Aug 20
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Jay Clarke, best known for a series of records on Klockworks, joins Soma with a no-nonsense EP. The pile-driving industrial rhythm and ghostly whooshes of "Straight Through" set the tone for the release, while on "Overlook" Clarke opts for an even more intense approach thanks to coruscating riffs wrapped around a looped groove. "The Spark" chugs along at a house pace, but still Clarke applies brittle metallic percussion to its spiky Chicago groove. Meanwhile, the title track sees him change tact again: underpinned by a stepping rhythm and insistent chord stabs, it's like a lean, streamlined take on Fachwerk's sound.
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SOMA 571D
08 May 20
Techno
08 May 20
Techno
Review: Buried Secrets makes his debut on Soma, propelled onto Slam's label with the same type of raw energy as Frankfurt Trax material. The title track resounds to eerie horror synths, pounding kicks and industrial strength hardcore rhythms. "Precious Calling" offers the same type of energy, with this mysterious emerging artist delivering ear-splitting drums and relentless, pounding drums that support rattling percussion. "Seed of Deception" sees Buried Secrets go farther, with his kicks covered in a swarm of acid. "Ancient Awakening" marks another shift in the approach, but no let up in the intensity levels as metallic stabs unfold over a brutal rhythm.
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SOMA 572D
01 May 20
Techno
01 May 20
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Roll Dann follows last year's Secrets on Soma with this propulsive affair. Clearly, he's not following the advice in the EP's name: the title track resounds to compressed, dense drums and hissing percussion, while on "Mago", he ups the tempo for the kind of high-octane percussive rhythm and pounding kicks that wouldn't sound at home on a Space DJz record. On "Easy Pace", he doesn't quite slow down, but the groove is more fluid and less militant-sounding, which he achieves through the use of layered percussion and eastern sounding synths. "Crash Birth" marks a shift in focus again as Roll Dann ups the pace to deliver a relentless, steely percussive workout.
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SOMA 573D
10 Apr 20
Techno
10 Apr 20
Techno
Review: Following on from the latest Archive Edits release in 2019, Slam bounce back with this storming EP. The title track is a pile-driving, pounding affair that is built on visceral kicks and eerie chord loops. As its title suggests, "Primitive Shift" is a primal, tribal groove that rolls and builds against the backdrop of a spiralling acid line. "Container" sees the storied duo draw on early 90s influences to deliver a chilling, hardcore-themed banger, while rounding off the release "Zero Dip" is a powerful looped affair; populated by vocal snippets it comes to a crescendo against a series of intense builds and drops.
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SOMA 570D
09 Mar 20
Techno
09 Mar 20
Techno
Played by: Laylae
Review: Having released on labels like Clergy and Planet Rhythm,Temudo dropped his debut release, Context for Soma last year to huge acclaim. This follow up EP is sure to elicit a similar response. "Tough to Say" is a frenetic rolling banger, led by powerful filtered drops and pounding tribal beats. On "Cell Phones", the emerging producer opts for a similar approach, albeit with thunder claps and glitchy riffs to the fore. "At Least One Time In Your Life" sees him pick up the pace for a frenetic, steely rhythm track, while he brings the curtain down with the Millsian "Let's Treat It As Such".
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SOMA 569D
10 Feb 20
Techno
10 Feb 20
Techno
Review: The sound of analogue techno re-surfaces on the latest Soma release; on the title track,Giordano drops a raw workout, its wiry rhythm resounding to electronic squiggles and warbling tones, supported by grainy kicks. On "Lumocolour", the mood is somewhat darker, with dark electronic sound scapes sweeping in over a relentless rhythm, while on "Fine Point", Giordano opts for a more contemporary-sounding approach; the drums are steely and tough, while the rhythm is stepping and rigid. On the closing track,Giordano discharges the most visceral arrangement; "1 Day Left", with its grimy electronic riffs and gated chords, is a fine slice of uncompromising club tackle.
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SOMA 560D
03 Feb 20
Techno
03 Feb 20
Techno
Review: Padova born, Berlin-based Giordano Libero marked his debut on established labels such as Funk You, Affekt, Illegal Alien and Granulart records. He returns to Scottish institution Soma after the success of his first offering the Fluido Energetic EP, bringing his tough yet melancholic sound back with a new thriller. Beginning with the barrelling and austere peak time energy of "Heat Is Too Hot", as well as the shrieking doomsday war techno of "Forename" and the hypnotic euphoria of "Piangere" with its subtle trance inflections.
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SOMA 551D
02 Aug 19
Techno
02 Aug 19
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: As a taster for Simon Stokes aka Petrichor's second artist album, Soma delivers the rolling techno of "6EQUJ5". However, the Scottish label has been careful not to reveal too much and has also commissioned remixes of new Petrichor material. Echoplex turns "After Velvet" into an atmospheric but forceful workout, its anthem-liked chords underpinned by big-room kicks, while the talented, iconic artist Pub also delivers two interpretations of Petrichor's music. The first is a textured, ambient take on "Valdo", while Pub's version of "After Velvet" is truly special, as classical woodwind is merged with a gentle, bubbling groove to create a truly standout remix.
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SOMA 546D
04 Jun 19
Techno
04 Jun 19
Techno
Review: Following the release of German producer SLV's ambient album "Berlin. A Portrait In Music", Soma has invited a powerful selection of techno producers to re-imagine a handful of tracks from the album. Setaoc Mass' steely and barrelling rework of "Dust" is geared for the capital's dank warehouse dance floors in the AM hours. Enigmatic Ukranian Stanislav Tolkachev delivers an emotive and isolated perspective of "First Day In The City" and Dutch dub techno sorcerer Conforce delivers the standout - with his cavernous and splintered perspective of "Forest Voices".
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SOMA 542D
03 May 19
Techno
03 May 19
Techno
Review: Following on from the What Lies Below release last year, Kontal returns to Soma with this no-nonsense release. "Analog 10" is a stomping, pounding affair, led by relentless kick drums and bursts of acid so visceral that they will corrode sensitive ears. "Before She Died" is even heavier; the kicks and percussion are furious, and follow a linear, streamlined approach that support relentless industrial riffs. Last but by no means least is "Lynx"; redolent of Luke Slater's Planetary Assault Systems project at its most visceral, its combination of pounding kicks and gated, distorted acid licks bring this relentless release to a fitting close.
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SOMA 544D
19 Apr 19
Techno
19 Apr 19
Techno
Review: Hot on the heels of last year's Diverse Fields release on Soma, Roll Dann delivers another killer EP for Slam's label. Opening track "Lexeme" combines intense tonal bleeps with a steely, powerful rhythm. Meanwhile on "Breathe", the emerging Spanish artist drops a more stream lined tribal groove, once again populated by eerie riffs, this time more robotic and austere. There's a similarly bleak approach on "Secret", but once again Dann proves that he's a distinctive artist by layering break beats under the driving groove. Last but by no means least is "The Fist"; more dense and murky than the previous tracks, it's a malevolent slice of modern club techno.
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SOMA 541D
11 Mar 19
Techno
11 Mar 19
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Magna Pia is the new alias of Huseyin Evirgen - usually known as one half of hypnotic techno merchants Cassegrain. He returns to Soma with with full focus on the solo project on this fresh release, which follows up last years impressive Venus Genetrix EP. From the strobed-out adrenaline of fierce opening cut "Syenite", the heads-down warehouse style stomper "Acre" (which reaches hear acid moments of psychedelia) or the barrelling mentalist energy of the title track - Evirgen has once again delivered four cuts of raw, analogue techno that show great depth and drive.
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SOMA 539D
15 Feb 19
Techno
15 Feb 19
Techno
Review: EOS Research is an anonymous project that Soma has been astute enough to sign an EP from. Based on the kind of tripped out techno that prevails on Exoplanet, rest assured that it won't be the last that we hear from them. "Kepler-442 B" resounds to booming kicks and clanging metallic riffs, but it still sounds cavernous and spaced out as it drifts off into the kind of cosmos occupied by the likes of Mike Parker. A more visceral approach prevails on "Kepler 452 B", where the pair deliver pile-driving broken beats that support tripped out trance stabs. "Kepler 62 E" is a more conventional dub techno roller and brings to a close this most impressive debut.
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SOMA 534D
25 Jan 19
Techno
25 Jan 19
Techno
Review: SLV steps from the shadows again to deliver his fifth release on Soma. As on previous EPs, the focus remains on tough but funky techno. The title track sets the pace with pounding kicks, firing percussion and the meanest, most malevolent rave riffs since the heady days of vintage Joey Beltram. "Dreamscapes" sees the mysterious producer in slightly less menacing form, but its arcing acid lines and pounding kicks mean that, while somewhat more tripped out than "Reflected Light", it is still just as effective. Finally, "Unhealthy" sees SLV delve into darker, more visceral sounds than before, with broken beats and noisy, buzzing electronic riffs prevailing.
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SOMA 537D
12 Nov 18
Techno
12 Nov 18
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Glaswegian legends Slam are back with another single on their Soma imprint, delivering a bunch of sturdy and reliable techno tools on their new release. The duo of Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle have had an abundance of material released this year - the Cyclone EP being their fifth thus far. Their tracks here are as powerful as ever but "Positive Education" or "Lifetimes" these 'ain't - the duo venturing deep down into the depths of the underground to deliver these pitch black and austere executions. From the hypnotic ferocity of "Antonym" with its Millsian chime melody, the steely and ferocious peak time onslaught of the title track or the full throttle mentalism of "Revolve" McMillan and Meikle take no prisoners on this aggressive release.
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SOMA 531D
19 Oct 18
Techno
19 Oct 18
Techno
Review: Gestern Und Heute is SLV's fourth EP on Soma, and it demonstrates once again that he is a highly talented producer. The release starts with the melodic, broken beats of "Artefakt", before SLV ups the tempo to deliver "Kreuzwege". Revolving around a tough, barrelling groove, its cold bleeps recall Sandwell District at their most morose. "Jetzt" manages the best of both worlds, combining tranced out melodies over a hammering rhythm track and pulsating bass, while Soma have tapped Cleric for a remix. The Clergy label boss adds some deep, fuzzy filters and a tight stepping rhythm, but in the process, does not lose sight of the original's windswept melodies.
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SOMA 514D
23 Mar 18
Techno
23 Mar 18
Techno
Review: Fautzi puts out his third EP in as many years on Soma - and the title track is a reminder as to why he has become a regular on Slam's label. Echoing the austere, steely minimalism of Space DJz output for Soma during the 90s, it's a robust, steely affair that resounds to menacing riffs and superb percussive builds before returning to its banging path. "Ionic Bonding" is a more contemporary sounding track, with drones rising over tough drum patterns, while on "Absolute Zero" the Portuguese producer flirts with the tunnelling, hypnotic sound of Mike Parker and even Sandwell District. "Covalent Bond' is in a similar vein, but this time Fautzi ups the pace, puts his head down and aims for dance floor abandon.
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SOMA 508D
15 Dec 17
Techno
15 Dec 17
Techno
Review: Rod Modell is about to release his fifth album for Soma, and as a taster, delivers Northern Shores. Like the empty beach and distant sea on the cover, opening track "Cirriforms" is an evocative piece of electronic mood music whose breathy chords ebb and flow before crashing in on the gentle, stepping groove. "Sky Maps" is more dance floor focused, with a rolling, supple groove supporting Modell's melodic twists. Listen closely and you can hear the sound of sea birds chirping over the dub shanty. "Crystal Horizons" sees him reverting to the light, breezy sound of "Cirriforms", while closing track "Sand and Shore" reinforces the US producer's reputation as a purveyor of esoteric electronic music, delivered in a windswept, ethereal style.
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SOMA 506D
24 Nov 17
Techno
24 Nov 17
Techno
Review: Prolific dub techno producer Rod Modell has spent much of the last year collaborating with long-term studio buddy Stephen Hitchell under the Echospace alias. Even so, he's still somehow found time to ready another solo album for regular home Soma (his fifth in total for the esteemed Glasgow-based techno label). While the CD version is presented as one continuous audio journey, this digital edition contains each track in its entirety. There are few surprises, but plenty of highlights: after all, nobody does this kind of hypnotic, meditative, ambient-influenced dub techno quite as well as Modell.
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SOMADA 117
20 Oct 17
Techno
20 Oct 17
Techno
Review: The inimitable Deepchord is back on Soma and drops the first single from his forthcoming album, Auratones due in October. Rod Modell is undoubtedly an underrated figure in the Detorit techno scene, but highly regarded amongst the underground as one of the modern greats of dub techno. You'll surrender to the void immediately upon hearing "Perfumes Of A Spring Mist" its dense and glacial qualities will immerse you with an otherworldly style of production: as per usual of Modell. "Xpan" is classic Deepchord: those ultra hypnotic, pitch perfect dub chords supported by the most exquisitely textural elements that collide wonderfully on this underwater epic. Finally the EP comes full circle with the 12 minute long ambient epic that is the title track. Indeed one can imagine sitting by the fire upon a lake somewhere in Northern Michigan: staring up into the stars. Mind blowingly good, as per usual!
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SOMA 497D
29 Sep 17
Techno
29 Sep 17
Techno
Review: After a string of acclaimed releases on Figure and his own Clergy label, Cleric aka Jorden Hodgetts makes his debut for Soma. The UK producer's sound is similar to that of SP-X and on "Nowhere Fast", this proves to be especially true, with rock-hard kicks underpinning cavernous filters. While "Moxie" is also built on tough kicks, these support mysterious chords and the overall result is understated. There are no such nuances on "Dualistic Soul"; led by a granite-weight drum pattern and metallic percussion, it's an intelligently executed, peak-time affair. The same can be said of "Arctic Circle", where Clergy cleverly uses phased percussion and his trademark drum sound to create an unusual big room track.
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SOMA 503D
22 Sep 17
Techno
22 Sep 17
Techno
Review: It's hard to believe that Soma has reached its 500th release. Slam started the label to provide a platform for the earliest house and techno strains coming from Glasgow during the early 90s. In the intervening years it has helped launch a number of careers - including a French duo called Daft Punk - and has become one of the great and most consistent underground labels. So what does its 500th release sound like? Unsurprisingly, it is still guided by the same principles that inspired the label's foundation. Slam take on Rob Hood's "The Bond We Formed" and deliver two versions. The former is a killer big room workout, while the "S25 Retro Fit" rework is reminiscent of the pair's earlier work, a jacking rhythm propelling a dark, filtered organ riff into oblivion. There is also a Slam rework of Carl Craig's classic remix of Gavin Russom and Delia Gonzalez' "Relevee", with the Soma bosses adding some steely drum muscle to the original interpretation. Here's to 500 more releases.
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SOMA 500D
01 Sep 17
Techno
01 Sep 17
Techno
Played by: Trevor Benz
Review: The Track Series has seen Soma owners Slam shed a light on their underground roots, with a specific focus on the Chicago influences that helped shape their sound. For the sixth instalment, they turn their attention to one of the city's earliest warehouse jams. "Like This" appeared during the mid-80s on DJ International and was Chip E's debut record. The Scottish pair take the track's distinctive, stuttering vocal sample and fuse it with an uptempo, hard jacking rhythm and wave upon wave of spiralling acid lines. It's sure to introduce a whole new generation to the raw sound of Chicago house.
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SOMA 498D
18 Aug 17
Techno
18 Aug 17
Techno
Review: Hector Sandoval's second EP for Soma finds him in impressive form. Favouring the kind of heads-down dance floor approach that has become the Tensal project's signature, the three instalments of "Proton" are tailor-made for dark, sweaty basements. "Proton 1" is a pulsing, tunnelling groove that has echoes of Sandwell District at their most linear, while on "Proton 2", the Spanish producer draws on the influence of late 90s techno to create a dense, loopy roller. The most intense track is left till last - inspired in equal measures by the white noise whooshes of late stage mmml and the wiry acid of Uwe Schmidt, Sandoval takes these seemingly incompatible elements and unites them over an abrasive rhythm.
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SOMA 489D
02 Jun 17
Techno
02 Jun 17
Techno
Review: When he's not dropping hypnotic techno as part of Exium, Hector Sandoval likes to make tougher club tracks under the Tensal banner. This side project has already yielded an artist album in 2015 as well as a brace of EPs for Pole and Modularz. Now the Spanish producer brings the project to Soma. "Development 1" sounds like an update on 90s Surgeon and Space DJz, with abrasive, acid-soaked kicks and a relentless, nosy riff prevailing. The occasional blasts of filtered noise give the track some added energy. On "Development 2", Sandoval opts for a more streamlined approach, with a linear rhythm unfolding over jackhammer kicks. The third and final "Development" isn't as intense as the others, but is a loopy, hypnotic tool set at a relentless pace.
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SOMA 485D
24 Apr 17
Techno
24 Apr 17
Techno
Review: Soma owners Slam continue their journey back to their underground techno roots on the fifth instalment of Track Series. While the Scottish duo may still be best know for their euphoria-inducing Positive Education, there has always been a darker side to their sound, evident on tracks like "Stepback". "Vapour", the sole track on Volume 5, falls into that malevolent category. Kick drums hammer away mercilessly and percussion hisses furiously as a dramatic organ riff filters and twists its way into the foreground. "Vapour" is undoubtedly a 90s-influenced track, and will appeal to fans of Slam's tougher side.
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SOMA 482D
10 Mar 17
Techno
10 Mar 17
Techno
Played by: DJ Mau Mau
Review: It's hard to believe that Orde Meikle and Stuart McMillan aka Slam and Dave Clarke - not the techno DJ- set up Soma a quarter of a century ago. Over that period of time, the Scottish label has been home to early Daft Punk records and has also nurtured a long list of indigenous artists. One of the first local producers on Soma back in the early 90s was Funk D'Void; his break through track, the hard-stomping Chicago techno of "Jack Me Off' gets the remix treatment here, with Christian Wunsch going down a linear route and Alex Smoke dropping an acidic, minimal version. This release also sees Gary Beck focus on panel-beating drums to rework "Bad Coffee" and newcomer Charles Fenckler delivering a detuned warehouse techno version of the same track, replete with a hypnotic vocal sample. Here's to 25 more years.
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SOMA 476D
27 Jan 17
Techno
27 Jan 17
Techno
Played by: Juno Recommends Techno
Review: Code Black is Rebekah's third release on Soma and showcases her progress as a producer. Fans of pitch-black club tracks will be drawn to the title track, with its dead weigh kicks, neat percussive bursts and woozy synths that sway and shimmer like a drunk on a trampoline. "X Confessions" is markedly different. It sees Rebekah explore intense acid, with tweaked 303s and rasping percussion unfolding over rough drums. It sounds like she has applied her dance floor-savvy thinking to a Hieroglyphic Being jam. Finally, "Relapse Paradigm" showcases Rebekah's love of purist techno, with wild tonal sequences unfolding over a Slater-style groove.
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SOMA 475D
16 Dec 16
Techno
16 Dec 16
Techno
