Review: After years of releasing uncompromising, bleepy minimal techno, Finland's Samuli Kemppi finally steps up to the album format with this twelve-track collection for M_Rec. Existing in the same mind state as Robert Hood and Daniel Bell, Kemppi's distinction comes through his embrace of atmospherics and a willingness to disorientate. "250 Days" represents one of the most immediate cuts on the album with its snappy synth riffs, while the likes of "Agitated" represent the chunkier side of his sound. There is also space here for some ambient experimentation as on "Water Lake", but by and large this is a collection of proper techno tracks for those who like it stern and slender.
Review: After a superb year of EPs, particularly those from Stanislav Tolkachev and Samuli Kemppi, M_Rec delivers one final release for 2013. It comes from PVS, a hard working Italian producer who's been a key figure in Gynoid Audio's output this year. The Fugitive EP is the Italian's highest profile release to date, and with it comes a remix from the label boss Max_M's, but also Ctrls, the other guy from Northern Structures and Token newest recruit. The A-side presents "Arsenal" which sounds like something Abdulla Rashim might produce, only more solidified; so if the original is solidified - that makes Ctrls' remix rock hard. "Intercellar" sees PVS stick to a similar theme of haunted techno - thanks to bleeps and reverberation - which Max_M tones, strips and settles, to provide a clever reconstruction of its best elements.
Review: Leipzig-based producer Varum is co-founder of Trade Policy, a sub-label of Modern Trips and he drops four raw, unpolished electro tracks here on local label Pulse Drift Recordings. Rooted in the classic sound of Detroit, he adds his own ingredients to the mix, delivering pulsating rhythms and driving melodies guaranteed to rock the dance floor. All breathe live jam energy and lo-fi charm, as heard on the dystopian "System Restore", the electro bass of System Restore reminiscent of legend Anthony Rother or the emotive VHS sci-fi of "Funktion 3".
Review: More and more, modern techno is integrating sounds from the early 90s and this release from Deca Rhythm boss BrukRode is a good example of this development. The title track revolves around a hardcore bass that lunges and lashes like a drunken sailor on leave, while fractured, percussive particles provide the arrangement with some direction. On "Moving Average", there is a shift of sorts in direction; the beats are tougher and edge towards distortion, while the groove has more in keeping with the loop techno sound of the late 90s. Still, influences from the earlier part of that decade remain, and the track also features a massive sub-bass.
Review: Pulling together a healthy spread of their roster, Decarhythm ably demonstrate their increasingly focused musical remit on this four-tracker. There's lean techno to be enjoyed from Genotype, where the bassline rules the day and the beat is an exercise in restraint. Kamikaze Space Programme plump for a shufflier approach to 4/4 with "Bhopal", although still plumbing a dark deep-space vibe. Bloodman has a decidedly straight-up tech-house atmosphere at work on "Jones", while Orphan 101 similarly ticks away with a warm sound that peppers the minimal groove with a light dusting of electro. For that sturdy peak-of-the-night tech-edged sound, Deca Rhythm seem to be an increasingly wise destination.
Review: Not sure if the title is in reference to the amount of time he spends measuring peoples response to his name 'ohhh I geddit: Fire-Hose-Eh!' or not, but it definitely wins our 'pun of the week' award (if we had one that is). This dude is from Estonia and he's all about taking the 90s and giving them a good seeing to. "Catwalk" is a quirky slice of vintage-sounding UKG, "Pufaika" is a clackity-clack booty track, "Departure" is a warped, RnBnKetamine dream, but it's the remarkable, techy-disco of "Buckwhirl" that's really doing it for us.
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