Originally set up in 1994, Christian Smith’s Tronic holds a special place in techno circles. A leading force in shaping a less purist techno sound Tronic was amongst the first labels to embrace sounds from house and techno to create records that DJ’s from both scenes would play. With tracks and remixes from Umek, Mark Broom, Stryke, Fergie, Steve Mac, Anton Pieete and Psycatron, Wehbba, ANNA, Eric Sneo and more Tronic has re-emerged with a bang in 2009.
Review: In a career that spans over 20 years, Ramon Tapia has released a wide range of music. This follow-up to last year's Circular on Tronic sees him very much in techno mode. It means that while "Funk Robot" resounds to insistent disco filters, the underlying rhythm is tailored for fans of looped grooves. There are no such nuances on the title track, where Tapia drops slamming kicks and dramatic synths. Similarly, "Saturated Mind" is led by insistent electronic stabs, unfolding over relentless percussion and tough kicks. On "Dark Pressure", Tapia layers a cacophony of steely hi hats over robust drums, recalling the sound of Mike Denhert.
Review: As befits the Tronic label's catalogue, the latest edition of Rockets is a diverse dance floor affair. It includes the hypnotic, deep house of Sofian's "FAKIR", which sits alongside the tough, Sound Factory-influenced groove of That Kid Chris' "Where's The Love". On the techno front, the compilation also has a lot to offer. Agent Orange DJ's "It's Gonna Get" revolves around an intense, building rhythm that has parallels with Luke Slater's remix of Joey Beltram's "Fork Lift". Rods Franchin's "Experience" goes down a more percussive route, while the compilation reaches a dramatic conclusion on Lucas Aguilera's "Tranzicion". Led by hardcore-themed synth builds and devastating snare rolls, it makes for an intense finale.
Review: It would make for some debate but this More Than Machine compilation by Tronic may well be the label's most impressive release to date. Bringing together an all star cast of legendary, respected and fresh talent indebted to the machinist sounds of electro, Tronic slips out a surreptitious release into 2021 real diggers will recognise. John Selway appears twice with "Highest Order" and the harder edged "Blink Of An Eye" with Christian Smith (who also delivers an italo inspired solo number in "Pressure Drop"). Vince Watson goes both aquatic and cosmic in "Cyclon" next to CJ Bolland's "The Demotic Script", Sterac Electronics' (aka Steve Rachmad) phase driven "Reinstated" and a far flung Zein Ferreira collaboration with The Advent! Fresher vibes still from the UK's Second Storey and new age techno soul vibes from Client_03's "Regression Container". Your secret stash.
Review: A name to appear across a various assortment of compilations for the Tronic label and others like Octopus Recordings, Groove 9 and Pursuit, the artist's leading release thus far has been a 2018 EP for Berlin's OFF Recordings. Returning to Tronic in full EP form, Moses sends in four waves of hi-octane techno for your secret new year's eve event or 2021 open air rave. "Mindset Of Mercy" pumps hard with all the hallmarks you could hope for from a '90s inspired techno jam, topped by its burning acid synthline. Next to that is a spiralling session of darker Detroit inspirations in "Fragmented Emotions" exorcising the inner demon in you while "Silence In Chaos" delivers a sinister breakbeat sequence that opens up to some sweet strings of life. A slightly stripped back and melodic version of a similar recipe arrives in the "The Consequence" with some darkly ambient storytelling capping off the EP in "The End Of Time".
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.