OCB Vinyl & CDs

Review: Following a string of inspired releases on Craigie Knowes and Casa Voyager, Driss Bennis brings his OCB project to Juan Atkins' Metroplex label for the first time. He sets his stall out with the up-tempo, Rhodes-laden electro-funk wonder of 'The Sequel', before dousing gorgeous synthesiser melodies and ambient textures in atmospheric field recordings on sunset-ready delight 'Global Warming'. He puts Kraftwerk through the sub-heavy Detroit techno Ringer on the freakishly addictive 'Syntax Error', while 'B2' is an Atkins-esque, acid-flecked sci-fi techno workout. Rounding off a genuinely brilliant EP is 'Built In Time', a wonderfully emotive, jazzy and tactile chunk of downtempo electro lusciousness.

Review: Needs' commendable charity drive continues to bring forth the goods, both in terms of good causes and world class club music. Rallying round in support of World Mental Health Day 2020, Shanti Celeste kicks the record off in style with the rapid fire, deep-diving workout 'Fantasma'. OCB keeps the pressure up with the psychotropic techno of 'RS3', while Michelle works up some delightfully freaky synths on playful jacker 'Aesthetic'. Bobby's 'Free Your Mind' is a 90s-tinged, full fat techno production indebted to Detroit, Peder Mannerfelt keeps things stripped and raw on 'Our Levels' and Yu Su weaves a beautiful tapestry of interweaving rhythms on 'Brittney'. Adam Pits' trippy techno sounds resplendent on 'Wind Tunnel' and DJ Sports completes the set with the inventive, dembow slanted funk of 'Needs Dub'.