NORBAK Vinyl & CDs

Review: Heads down, eyes closed and get marching because this is another muscular outing from the Portuguese techno label HAYES. It is a 40th, in fact, so by now the label knows how to unearth the most compelling of sounds and that's just what Norbak serves up here: these are bangers steeped in traditionalism with hulking great drums and layers of percussion and synth texture peeling off as the drums march on. Heavy, hypnotic, and with a dark funk at their core, they're perfect weapons for a wide range of strobe-lit club settings.

Review: Portugal's HAYES label clocks up a fifth EP here and once again takes us deep into a world of supple but subversive techno. It is a mix of artists who serve up the sounds with VIL's dancey 'Dothejazz' layering minimal synths and drums with potent bass rumbles. Norbak & Temudo then rock you back and forth on your heels as drunken synths evoke and adapt to the icy groove on 'Cloud Seeding.' VIL & Temudo then pair off for the more twisted 'Pampomaniac' and Quelza closes down with 'Arnold,' a whacked-out and skeletal techno rhythm that borrows from early jungle.