Perlon Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: After the adventures in Meditations from Thomas Melchior, Perlon's latest release of an impressive 2015 so far finds the label turn to a lesser known artist in Bihn. The production alias of Berlin based Germann Nguyen, BIHN emerged last year with a pair of low key 12"s as well as working with Onur Ozer as Treatment. What Nguyen lacks in profile he makes up for in punchy Perlon-worthy productions skills on the basis of his two tracks here with opener "Visio" a quite haunting cut where stripped back drum programming allows a neat bassline and detailed synth work to shine. Complementing this, it feels like "Ruski" is Nguyen letting his more urgent desires reign free and is likely to become a B side many selectors cherish.

Review: Thomas Melchior's take on minimalist house and techno - wonky and off-kilter, but surprisingly funky, far-sighted and pleasingly atmospheric - is amongst the most accessible and ear-catching around. It's a sound that works as well on albums as it does on singles and EPs, so it's somewhat surprising to discover that Vulnerabilities is his first full-length as Melchior Productions since 2007. It's been worth the wait though, with the veteran producer offering up tracks that combine brilliantly programmed, often off-kilter drums with smooth but druggy basslines, tactile chords, addictive melodic refrains and his usual subtle (and occasional not to subtle) nods towards deep house, dub techno, two-step garage, trippy ambient and the quirky, funk-fuelled eccentricity of Ricardo Villalobos productions.

Review: Japanese techno titan Fumiya Tanaka is no stranger to Perlon, having first appeared on the lauded label back in 2012. Even so, Ab still marks the veteran producer's first appearance on the Berlin-based imprint for the best part of five years. Tanaka hits the mark straight away on A-side "On A Bass", a perfectly crafted, low-slung tech-house roller that pits the rhythmic swing associated with Ricardo Villalobos against a locked-in bassline, creepy deep space chords and all manner of twisted, cut-up vocal samples. In comparison flipside "Dreaming Perfect Zebras" feels rather classic and old school, with Tanaka drawing on both his love of early UK tech-house, Motor City influenced deep house and the crunchy tech-house percussion of contemporary imprints such as YYY.