SASCHA DIVE Vinyl & CDs

Review: German artist Sacha Dive is a real deep smith. His groves are heady and cuddly and perfect for more discerning and intimate floors. His 'Brother's' is a perfect example of that as a deep house classic that is reimagined with fresh takes from Francesco Mami, YokOo and Sascha himself. Dive's Tribal American version amps up the percussion for a hypnotic, groove-filled trip. Mami refines the tribal feel with a smooth, flowing touch, while YokOo strips it back for a deep, meditative rework ideal for late-night sets. These updates honour the original while adding something utterly fresh.

Review: Sating minimal techno flows, Bondage Records preface their latest release with the phrase "next up". It's implied that, by sampling and cycling through many a novel artistic talent, their label becomes an unstoppable assembly line of feline sonics. Frankfurt producer and DJ Sascha Dive is next up, adding to an incredible daisy-wreath of 12"s put out since early 2005. 'I Was Deep In My Past Life' hears Dive dive back into one of his many pre-incarnate bygones via extra-mile sound synthesis and design, the resultant sound of which evokes an undulant, blobby time-tunnel. 'Dub Chronicles No7', meanwhile, has been thoroughly transient-maximised, with a snappy drum buss envelope uppercutting the technic beats like automations of an iron fist.

Review: As Syncrophone Recordings offshoot Phongramme edges towards a half century of releases, the French imprint is casting its net far and wide for inspiration. Initially dedicated to producers from within the French scene, Phonogramme now regularly showcases music by producers from further afield. Here's another, courtesy of long-serving German artist Sascha Dive. He begins in ultra-deep mode via 'My Definition of House Music', a 4am special that boasts dub-flecked synth motifs and an atmospheric spoken word vocal courtesy of hip-house mic man Mr V. 'In Real Time' is marginally brighter and sunnier whilst still sounding deep and hypnotic, while 'We Went To Africa' is a tech-tinged affair full of gentle acid lines, echoing vocal snippets and suspenseful chords. Closing cut 'Artificial Intelligence', meanwhile, is a tracky, deep tech-house excursion tailor-made for pitch-black basements.