DJs: Most Charted - Minimal / Tech - March 2016

Review: In the space of a few months and two releases, the anonymous Hostom label has swiftly built up a cult following amongst the minimal-favouring cognoscenti, no doubt helped by the likes of Rhadoo and Raresh caning the cuts. Both the previous Hostom 12"s sold out at Juno and we don't expect this third edition to remain in stock for long! Both tracks here are impeccably produced, offering a perfectly judged balance of crisp rhythmic construction and subtle, deeply melodic touches, with the simply titled "Track 1" just edging it for us.

Review: For Those That Knoe is proud to present some of the freshest and timeless sounds the UK has to offer from Numonika, sounding as good now as they would have done when recorded ten years ago. Three tracks from the original demo CD have been selected, compiled, re-mastered and pressed by For Those That Knoe onto a special 12" for collectors and club DJs alike.
In true Knoe fashion, release 4/1 is a compilation of tracks unearthed from a CD squirrelled away for a decade in a dusty loft. The CD in question was loaded with unreleased and untitled material from the owners of and producers for two of the UK's rarest and sought after tech house labels rinsed by DJs such as Craig Richards in the late 90s.

Review: France's Varhat is back after some great tracks on Crocus and Aku but who can forget that killer edit of Stablo he did last year. This guy's is on a roll and one to watch, which says a lot considering the amount of talent coming of Paris at the moment. This time it's for Ukranian wunderkind Mulen's imprint and it's a as deep and as rolling as you'd expect. The whole EP is great as a whole but really shines on "Track 2 " with its pitched down acid bassline and those sweet immersive pads. "Track 3" is properly deep with its smooth bassline, tight rhythm and those swirling and hypnotic synths working a treat.

Review: Spain's Giuseppe Tuccillo has been on the scene for 20 years, releasing on a who's who of labels that we don't have enough space to mention but let's just namedrop legends like Nite Grooves and King Street through to 20:20 Vision and 8 bit to name just a few. He now teams up with Frenchman Djebali on his eponymous imprint for the Red Tropic EP. On the A side "The Red Circle" is the kind of slinky and clean cut minimal tech house that calls to mind the sound of Dan Ghenacia's Freak N' Chic imprint, said to have been an influence on Djebali in the early noughties: this one's pretty funky. On the B side "Tropic Duo" is a more soulful Detroit inspired number reminiscent of Aril Brikha's finest work with those lush and entrancing Ensoniq EMS style stabs doing the business.

Review: Florence based label Bosconi is back with 100 Hz aka UK legends Lee Renacre and James Chapman who have been around since the late eighties. This is their second release on the Italian imprint; their Mila EP was their first for the label back in 2009. On the A side we have a re-issue of their 1989 track "Shoot The Bar" a sturdy and cyclical house groove on the tougher side of things with a nice double bass holding the track above a tight rhythm and dreamy Rhodes piano. "Primary Colours" sounds more like minimal, but given more of an edge by all the dusty and lively analogue machines that power it along. Its bumpy bass and restrained synth stabs supporting some simplistic rhythms and works quite well. Finally "Oliva Funk" is more of a classic NYC house cut, those rapid fire cowbell strikes will help it bear even more resemblance to classic Kerri Chandler style vibes.

Review: For the seventh instalment of the Birdsmakingmachine series, some anonymous minimal artists get down to business in impressive style. "Deaf Crows" is led by a rusty analogue drum machine groove, backed by some sombre pads on this fierce and jacking house groove. "Black Midget" is a dark, deep and grinding groove, more suited to to sleep deprived, paranoid after hours shindigs. On the flip also is "Primos" which is a bit more uplifting on this quirky minimal funk excursion, quite reminiscent of the early Perlon sound.

Review: Having coaxed a new Kerrier District album out of Luke Vibert last year, Bristol's ever busy Hypercolour return to the project with a 12" sporting some truly high profile remixers. Ricardo Villalobos seems in the midst of a new wave of popularity right now, so it's a canny move for Hypercolour to enlist the Chilean for a trademark extended remix of "Sexspurt" alongside trusted companion and long-term collaborator Max Loderbauer. 12 minutes long, there is an equal emphasis on groove, micro detail and psychedelic expression demonstrated by the pair. Complementing this, the B side sports remixes from KiNK and Shed's Head High with the latter's take on "Come On Kerrier" quite sublime fun. What a way to toast your 50th release!

Review: While he's barely paused for breath in the last decade, it's still been eight years since Fumiya Tanaka delivered his last album, Unknown 3. The epitome of long overdue, You Find The Key is his fourth album. Interestingly, it sees the 44 year-old, Japanese producer tweaking his now familiar bass-heavy minimal techno blueprint. Thrillingly, the bass lines are bolder and jauntier, and the beats jazzier, resulting in an altogether funkier take on the minimal techno style. Of course, there are still moments that recall his previous work - see the deep and dubby "Swallowed Memory" - but it's those that take a sideways step towards funk-fuelled pastures ("Munich Uncertain", "The Only Your Researching") that stand out.

Review: Funky minimal tech house in the vein of the classic Freak 'N Chic sound. First track "People Around" is testament to this, a funky swing fuelled jam with a good dose of trippiness that despite its somewhat retro tendencies will still mix in quite well with current tech house. "Bayou" is much deeper with some real bounce in the bassline and those hypnotic vocals work well: better for the after-hours. On the flip we've got "In The Mood" which gets back to serious funkiness, great bassline and really nails the early Hot Creations sound. Finally there's "Melo Melo Garden" which is the real standout on here: some smooth minimal deep house in the vein of Minibar or Eklo.

Review: Having previously showcased his fluid brand of techno and deep house on Suena Hermosa and Beste Modus, Diego Krause decided to launch the Unison Wax label as a vehicle for his productions back in 2013. Here he returns with a fourth volume, seemingly keen to wring maximum atmosphere and deepness via a quartet of smooth, well-produced cuts. He opens with a subtly starry fusion of techno hypnotism and quiet deep house warmth, before concentrating on groove with the late night tech-house throb of "Track 2". Flip for the bass-heavy, stripped-back groove science of "Track 3", and the typically Germanic afterhours pump of "Track 4".

Review: REPRESS ALERT: Consistent in his output since 2006, London-based Alex Celler has carved a reputation recording on highly esteemed imprints such as Tuning Spork, Contexterrior, Broquade and All Inn to name a few. Now he turns up the heat for an impressive two-track debut on Trelik.

The A-Side "Haz" kicks off with tight, dry drums moving emotively with warm bubbling bass, subtle house stabs and soothing, mysterious vocals. Drops and licks of percussion build and fall over the 9:19 duration with the aid of cleverly scattered piano keys this forward thinking arrangement stands-out perfectly.

"Pacificon" on the B-side strips things back to the bare-essentials, a highly playable cut that takes on a more techno-orientated approach featuring persistent bass and metallic vocals creating a deadly effective backdrop of space and tension.
Consistent in his output since 2006, London-based Alex Celler has carved a reputation recording on highly esteemed imprints such as Tuning Spork, Contexterrior, Broquade and All Inn to name a few. Now he turns up the heat for an impressive two-track debut on Trelik.

The A-Side "Haz" kicks off with tight, dry drums moving emotively with warm bubbling bass, subtle house stabs and soothing, mysterious vocals. Drops and licks of percussion build and fall over the 9:19 duration with the aid of cleverly scattered piano keys this forward thinking arrangement stands-out perfectly.

"Pacificon" on the B-side strips things back to the bare-essentials, a highly playable cut that takes on a more techno-orientated approach featuring persistent bass and metallic vocals creating a deadly effective backdrop of space and tension.

Review: Constant Sound founders Jon Woodall and Burnski helm the label's latest 12" under their Constant name, with Dub Life featuring remixes from Blackhall & Bookless, S.A.M and A Scott. "Dub Life" is a slithering, slippery and frictionless house roller with tunnelling percussive patterns, restless drums and myriad synth smears that really pull you down into a seductive groove. Subtle vocals add character and ensure this one will keep 'floors locked for days. Jaunt pair Blackhall & Bookless then step up with a fired up, peak time techno leaning bomb with barrelling kicks, ravey stabs and Detroit referencing pads that really grab your attention. The S.A.M. reshape then offers up elastic, spaced out deep house vibes with airy hi hats, lots of height in the drums and plenty of feeling in the slithering synth lines that lace up the track. Closing out the package is a remix from returning label artist A Scott, whose fine remix is a lovably flabby and cavernous track with oodles of reverb, rattling train track like grooves and atmospheric pads that swirl all around you as you drift in his air beats.

Review: Eklo boss Seuil is clearly on one at the moment! This CFS EP is Hold Youther Alexis Benard's second 12" on Eklo in as many months, suggesting the Parisian has found yet another creative groove to channel. Impressive given how long Benard has been at the forefront of Parisian clubbing culture. We are not sure what "CFS" stands for, but there are three variants of it from Seuil on this 12" and the A Side cuts show Benard at his best, offering swinging 909 rhythms, fluid basslines, hypnotic chords and odd samples. Our favourite is probably "CFS 3" which sees Seuil successfully try his hand at a more explicitly electro style, whilst the remix from Berlin-based newcomer Etienne which brings a more strident and heads down vibe.