Minimal / Tech House Recommendations October 2011

Review: Trelik reach into their recent archives with a much needed repress of Whalesong, the label's 2011 debut from UK producer OCH. With a compulsive passion for the dying art of crate-digging combined with a love for modern synthesis techniques the now Sweden based OCH manages to put together a 12" that could easily be described as psychedelic Chicago. "Whalesong" is a pulsating floor work-out which references the US greats whilst building an emotive sub-aqua soundscape. "Blind is The Wind" follows with a sneaky chord driven spoken interlude which creates an air of tension before climaxing into "Last Chance Saloon".

Review: Pal SL returns with another highly playable yet artist orientated 12" from L.D.Nero (aka Alex Cortex) who returns to the label after a nine year hiatus. His fantastically received Nite Out 12" for sister label Trelik showcased the more subtle depths of his production style whereas "Washback" grabs the bull buy the horns with an infectious analogue bassline, bold upfront percussion patterns alongside Perlon-esque guitars and organic synth washes. "Simple" picks up the pace with a more mathematical soundscape, driving the speakers whilst teasing with intermittent vocals. "Give Credit" completes the package tipping its hat to the early UK acid sound showcasing retro sound design, lo-fi vocals and historic drum loops against a deep synth and bass back-drop. Mastered By Lopazz.

Review: Another edition of the Honest Jon's Shangaan Electro remix project arrives with suitably illuminating results as Villalobos & Max Loderbauer and Peverelist tackle the Tshetsha Boys. Ricky V's collaborative take on "Nwa Pfundla" with Loderbauer is as stripped back as you'd expect, though as the dubby gurgle develops familiar strains of the energising original emerge, but never quite escape the scratchy electronic fuzz. The accompanying revision from Punch Drunk boss Peverelist is even more removed from the uptempo origins, commencing in dramatic fashion with dubby industrial textures before settling into a crashing 4x4 flex poised at circa 120bpm. Gradually snippets of Tshetsha Boys melodies emerge and meld the Peverelist rhythms which gain some energising impetus when those hats lock in.

Review: Autoreply offshoot Stuga returns with a highly playable 12" that's perfect for the outdoor party season. For this release we welcome back Ben Rourke who has previously recorded for Autoreply, his Blue EP collaboration with friend Pier Bucci having sold out instantly and going on to receive critical acclaim. His tracks effortlessly build without the aid of well known formulas always using high end sound design but never forgetting that house and techno music is essentially meant for dancing. "Tahiti" is one of those tracks that's perfect for the big room or after-party alike featuring bouncy percussion, an analogue bass-line that will properly drive the sound system and one of the most infectious synth-sequences of the year. In fact the man's developed a whole new genre, "Desert Island Techno" ! "Sharpie" explores the deeper realms of dub driven techno with a very liquid approach just so slightly tipping its hat to the 90's Detroit vibe and still very much aimed at the floor. Enjoy.

Review: After her stunning remix of "Relapse" on Buzzin Fly earlier this year, Dana Ruh is back on the UK imprint for a full EP. A-Side "This" punches its way through with crisp claps and hats engulfing the top end while a hypnotic bassline swallows the lower; an infectious bounce in its otherwise linear step. Flip over and "Kickboxing" marks itself as our pick of the EP with its stripped back, simple yet hypnotic beats. Lastly, "What I'm Telling You" plays with warped voices, echoing glockenspiels and lazy drum patterns.

Review: There have been whispers and murmurs of a new album from Kate Wax surfacing on the ever excellent Border Community for a while now, so the recent announcement of Dust Collision has been greeted with applause, not least here at Juno HQ! Set for release in November, the Swiss artist's fifth album is preceded by this twelve inch, which sees album mixer and BC overseer James Holden re-edit two LP tracks in typically epic, expansive fashion. It's a canny way to promote a new album by Border Community, with both Holden revisions the sort of slow burning and heavily melodic techno jams that fit perfectly amidst his own DJ sets.

Review: Two very different revisions of German producer Gregor Tresher on the Lights From The Inside Remixes Vol. 1. On the A-Side Saved Records chief Nic Fanciulli serves up a pounding tweak of "Frontline" - those of you who spent some time on the White Isle this summer will probably have heard this throbbing out of a freakishly large speaker stack at least once. Flip over for something of a coup for Break NEW sOIL: Sandwell District don Function turns in a killer remix of "Through The Shadow Glass", with hissing hats, a granite hard kick and paranoid synths combining to hypnotic effect.

Review: Damian Lazarus' 16-track Get Lost mix has been stirring up iPod's at afterparties galore since it release earlier this month - here the Crosstown Rebels honcho releases a sumptuous double vinyl boasting five exclusive tracks from the mix, kicking off with Dinky's "Owls". The Argentinean comes up with a typically minimalesque Latino groove, with some endearing tenderness wedged below the grit. "Japan", from German favourite Acid Pauli, is spacious and hypnotic in his unique amalgamation of cosmic beats, while on the second cut, Brouqade label owner Dana Ruh contributes the suitably hazy "Night Till Dawn". Fosky and Shiva serve up the housiest number of the lot, with punchy vocals, a deep rolling bassline and breaks galore; Mario & Vidis complete the package with the moody and experimental "Kashyyyk".

Review: Berlin vinyl imprint Aim reach their fifth release and to celebrate, they've out together a double cut with seven tracks of deep house and chugging techno. Jacques Bon & Nicolas Villebrun commence proceedings with "Pyramid", a soaring synth fuelled deep house number followed by Ocp's percussive and bass heavy "Raise Your Legs". Christopher Rau takes the flip and plunges into pitch black techno and dark trips; the mood lifts instantly though as Xdb's smooth and deep track "Balance" takes the reigns. On the second slab of wax, "Nasty Nate" from duo Oskar Offerman & Moomin is balmy, atmospheric and impeccably arranged - our pick of the bunch. Lastly, both "Gasolinum" and "The Rhythm" stick to pleasing experimental and downtempo techno structures.