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: Kaiserdisco released their third artist album, Another Dimension, on Tronic last year, and now Christian Smith's label has commissioned a set of killer remixes of the album's highlights. First up is another German duo, Adana Twins, who turn "Veruna" into a tranced out, building affair, replete with dramatic chords and epic breakdowns. Given his pedigree as a no-nonsense techno producer, it's no surprise that Andre Crom's take on "Orcus" is a rolling, tribal affair that brings the listener back to the late 90s days of Tronic's party sound. Rounding off this remix release is another seasoned artist, Spain's Aitor Ronda, who transforms "Hydra" into an ominous, bass-heavy workout that has shades of vintage Joey Beltram.
Review: Tronic is one of the longest-established techno labels, and is celebrating two decades in operation this year. Fittingly, Christian Smith has tapped Kaiserdisco to release their third artist album on the label - and they don't disappoint. "Eris" is a dense, rolling techy-house affair, led by a chugging groove and eerie riffs cutting through the arrangement. "Varuna", by contrast, resounds to tranced out synth riffs and dramatic filters, while the slow down and speed up mid-way through is the pair's hat tip towards classic house music. Referencing other classic styles, "Charon" provides a modern spin on the tech meets minimal house sound of the early 00s. While there are some musical digressions - like the synth passage "Vanth" - this is an album destined to be played in big rooms.
Review: Hamburg's kings of peak time minimal return with more stadium sized dancefloor destroyers, this time for Christian Smith's long running Tronic imprint. When not releasing on their own KD Music, they're doing stuff on Drumcode and 100% Pure, so they know what they're doing. "Trinity" is a tough pre peak time adrenaliser with chunky and phaed out synth stabs and epic doom laden strings backed by a furious, cavernous beat. Second track "Sherman" features the same pounding and reverberated kick but this time supported techno stabs, hissing open high hats and a dreamy whirling melody. Surefire and reliable techno for any occasion.
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