Minimal / Tech House Recommendations February 2013

Review: Yet another unknown name lines the third release from Dixon Avenue Basement Jams; and just like Marquis Hawkes before him, the unheralded VernoN ensures the Glasgow label's run of deep seated heat continues unfettered. The four track She Can Dance dovetails nicely with the aforementioned Hawkes 12", locking onto a deeper approach to the jacking sound across three tracks. The title track is the undoubted highlight here, whilst the distinct Oompa Loompas on the 303 vibe of "The Smoking Hat" had a real marmite effect on the Juno office. Kudos to DABJ for reaching out to Edinburgh label Firecracker and borrowing the undeniable talents of Fudge Fingas for a 808 heavy remix of "Low Control". Clear blue wax too!

Review: For the Dub techno curious, Dutch imprint Field Recordings makes a perfect starting point for discovering fresh and forward thinking ambient and dub techno. As per usual Field 09 is a various artist sampler, featuring cuts from Crystal Maze and Creme Organization's Orgue Electronique, as well as four piece collective ESHU and Dutch dub techno purveyor Ohrwert's second submissions to the label. After an ambient and credit less intro, Ohrwert opens the EP with a wispy and dreamlike stroll through wavey textures, whereas ESHU employs Burial sounding beats and spacious atmospherics. Crystal Maze's "Cow Needs A Bell" shrouds itself in a electro eeriness only to be lightened by Orgue Electronique's synth heavy "Halcyon".

Review: Phoenix G surface in style in 2013 with the appropriately titled Frenetic EP from label boss Mr G that brandishes a rather potent remix from Ben Sims. There's an inherently old school tone to "Bounce" with the looping vocal hook imploring you to do as the title says over a stylish arrangement of firm, deep kick drums and lengthy, echo laden chords. In contrast "Red Line" locks onto a murked out techno groove that ripples with percussive intensity, which goes some way to preparing you for the onslaught of floor wrecking excellence that is Ben Sim's remix of "Bounce" with the UK techno veteran squeezing all the life out of those chords.

Review: Young Swedish producer Axel Backman first stole our attention under the 1991 name, surfacing on the Astro: Dynamics Soundcloud at the turn of the year with the stunningly degradated treatment of The Cure that was "Open To The Dark". That track eventually appeared on Backman's debut release, the eponymously titled 1991 tape put out by Astro:Dynamics in September, and this gauzy, star gazing side to the Swede was explored further on High-Tech High-Life, his subsequent release for the breakthrough label Opal Tapes. However, this didn't really prepare us for his latest Opal Tapes opus under the techno-focused MCMXCI moniker, Skogen, Flickan och Flaskan - which finds itself the deserved subject of the label's first vinyl release. Comprised of five originals of unrelenting, melting techno brutality, at times it sounds like Regis having a seizure ("Untitled 1"), Jamal Moss suffering from demonic possession ("Untitled 3") and a caustic take on Surgeon's breakbeat techno ("Untitled 4"). Only Huerco S's "New Age Reduction" of "Untitled 3" offers any kind of let up - but still succeeds in muddling your brain with its mucky kaleidoscope of tones. BIG TIP!

Review: Gerd Janson's Running Back open their 2013 account with a label debut from evergreen producer Oliver Ho under his Raudive alias. Ho's garnered something of a chameleonic reputation over his 15 year recording history, demonstrating little interest in focusing on one sound or genre. Most recently seen fronting the spiky three piece band The Eyes In The Heat, Ho returns to the Raudive name that scored a great History Clock 12" for the four track Traffic EP. Fitting in snugly on Running Back, expect muscular EBM and house workouts with the detuned pianos and manipulated vocals of the title track likely to garner considerable attention.

Review: Top of the pile in a slew of Perlon represses that have been out of stock for a long time is this classic slice of Villalobos! The a-side of Perlon release number 22, "Bredow" takes the listener on a never-ending trip that reaches its unexpected climax in a sophisticated piano solo. On the flipside, ultralow frequencies meet South American rhythm structures in the bass-driven sound-monster entitled "Damm3".

Review: Continuing the healthy stream of fresh movements on the minimal legacy from Romania, Necunoscuti bring a strange and potent cocktail of dubbed out atmospherics to their appearance on Andromeda. While a neatly clipped beat ticks away in a gently broken manner, it's the echoing atmospherics and immersive bass notes that lock you in to this hypnotic cut. Vid Piupiu goes even further out on his remix, running the original into the sea bed with a purposefully experimental turn that reduces the beat to mechanically smoldering embers and fills in the spaces with haunting melodic tones.

Review: Way back is miles ahead! Here's a big chunk of what one should expect from a funky future, merging forward
sound techniques with field-tested vibes from past, transfiguring musical eras. The Perlon visionary society is
known and appreciated for representing the continuation of a propulsive groove development. Embedded in the
stimulating context of forwardness and incalculability, the 16 new tracks on 'Superlongevity 4' once more
mark the label's distinctive approach to sire a swarm of heralds who are going to effect a climate change above
inventive ingenuity.

Review: "Open the door, step into the light" whispers the sexual deviant vocal on Crooked Man's opening body mover "Here on Earth", the title track from the Steel City hero's latest EP. After a clicky kick and soul clapped intro, distorted synths build in time, slowly gathering momentum in a manner similar to the animalistic grunt of Nine Inch Nails' "Closer". A lone electronic surge opens "Girl With Better Clothes", slowly falling victim to subtle delays. In among a cocktail effect of chatting voices, a Nina Kraviz sounding narrative then enters, talking of a new found jealousy. Pair this with additional synth action, grooving drums and a killer chorus line; it's the perfect house party jam.

Review: A wonderful curveball record from Dan Snaith's Jiaolong imprint here as Shangaan Electro pioneer Nozinja comes correct as Xitsonga Dance. It's been roughly three years since that illuminating Shangaan Electro compilation from Honest Jon's appeared, providing many with a fascinating insight into this niche Sowetan dance music. Kudos to Snaith for securing these two tracks from Nozinja, which further demonstrate the singular joy of the Shangaan sound - barmy keyboard tones, demo track beats and infectious melodies combined with pitched vocals, and, on "Hoza" the sound of a barking dog. An excellent twelve that can't help but encourage to revisit that Honest Jon's compilation.

Review: James Zabiela is many things to many men; a technically brilliant DJ, in demand producer and consistent challenger to Matt Walsh's title as dance music's most finely coiffured individual are amongst them. Add to this list label boss and vocalist as Zabiela himself inaugurates his new Born Electric imprint with a rather impressive looking 12". Zabiela's angelic tones add another degree of warmth to the richly detailed expanses of "The Healing" whilst his accompanying "Zabiela 85" remix sits somewhere between crunchy IDM and tranced out breakdowns. The flip sees James flex his status, commissioning both Hot Chip and Midland to take the track in their own distinct directions.