Juno Recommends Minimal / Tech House: November 2023

Review: In the sprawling tendrils of minimal mastery Ricardo Villalobos has attached his name to, it's not always easy to pick out the stone cold classics. 2003 album Alcachofa is, however, a stand out moment from his career when he proved to be more than just a club 12" artist. Sure, the record is mainly driven by house rhythms, but this was a demonstration of the creative power within the minimal approach and Villalobos could get creative more than most. Originally released on Playhouse and now repressed on four 12"s by Perlon, it's a fitting tribute to a landmark record, now with added tracks from the accompanying Alcachofa Tools 12".

Review: We're always glad to hear new material from undisputed dub techno don Steve O'Sullivan. This new one on his own Mosiac label finds him facing off with Paul Simmons on a pair of deliciously deep cuts. 'Inner Glow' is given the whole of the A-side to make its mark and it does - with a slightly more soulful sound than you might expect. Rather than pure heads down underwater deepness, it's got a heart warming vocals hook and brighter chord vamps over the signature drum smoothness. 'Still Burnin''is a quicker cut with more radiant chords and a soulful spirit, then a Bluespirit dub of the a-side zones things out nicely.

Review: Omakase keeps up the momentum of its fine first release with a second sizzling followup, this time from Trauma alongside Anton under their collaborative guise Antraum. It's a case of super silky sounds only here with deft and dubbed out tech on the opener 'Hachi', which is defined by a superb vocal hook. 'Roko' is a jittery rhythm with breakbeat and icy cold hits all warmed through by a fine bassline. 'San' shuts down with a nice laid back tech beat that encourages you to sink deep into it.

Review: It's been a long time since we heard from Pangaea, one of the three famous faces who made up the original Leeds label come ubiquitous DJ's DJ's DJ imprint - Hessle Audio. Though perhaps less appreciated than his contemporaries Ben UFO and Pearson Sound, now's his time to shine again: Changing Channels is his second ever album, following up 2016's In Drum Play (which for all its quality, rough, juddering techno experiments, will always line the shelves of many a budding selector). Like its predecessor, oddball bassy techno is here Pangaea's preferred mode, whether reflected in the sassy femme vocal cutups of 'Installation' or the spitting basses of 'Squid'. This is one of two vinyl 12"s over which the album is spread; an effort to enhance its playability for DJs.

Review: Galcher Lustwerk's white label series is back with another previously digital-only track on vinyl for the first time. It comes from the Workshop associate and London-based artist Willow who stretches her legs across eight minutes of electro deepness as she reworks the calssic 'I Neva Seen'. Trippy vocals and paranoid whispers flesh out the supple basslines and popping drum programming which previously came on the LUSTWERK II EP on Ghostly International. Flip it over for a freaky 'I Neva Seen' acappella tool for adventurous DJs - layered-up vocal loops, sparse kicks and an unsettling atmosphere make it one for the afterparty.

Review: Release Sustain, a London-based underground label, is pleased to introduce a new EP by Moody Waters, the label's founder. "Beneath the Moon" is a four-track EP that offers a refreshing blend of deep techno and house sounds. With steady beats and intriguing vibes, "Beneath the Moon" is a versatile addition to any DJ's collection. This EP explores an underground sound that combines the essence of house and techno, making it an enjoyable listen for those interested in electronic music in 2023. Don't miss the chance to check out this latest offering from Moody Waters and and awesome remix from Fred P. Grab your copy of "Beneath the Moon" and discover why fans are appreciating this new release from Release Sustain.

Review: Pangaea's latest album Changing Channels comes a notable seven years after his debut, In Drum Play, and again hears the Hessle brain lay down a whopping demo in dance histrionics. Made in a period of oscillation - between international DJ sets and holidays of downtime and r&r - we get the impression of a remarkably clear-headed album, with the production crisp, and the choice and placement of samples neat. On this 12", we hear the LP's first part, with the no-fuss garagey 'Hole Away' and the stabby 'Changing Channels' piquing particular interest.

Review: A reissue that minimal house fans will have been waiting for - an expanded version of Baby Ford & The Ifach Collective's Sacred Machine album. Released in 2001, it's genreally accepted to be the high weatermark for minimal, and here's it's been lovingly remastered by Dubplates & Mastering and comes blessed with two unheard-til-now corkers from the same sessions - Mark Broom's mix of 'RTDC' and 'In The Bag'. What are you waiting for?!

Review: Jumpin' & Pumpin' looks back into the seminal archives of The Future Sound of London here to reissue their fantastic The Pulse EP from 2008 which also featured tunes from Manchester pair Indo Tribe. It is they who start with 'Bring In The Pulse' which features some Happy Mondays hallelujahs, mad rave whistles and bristling electronic breaks. 'In The Mind Of A Child' (First Born mix) is then a bouncy techno cut with more visceral synth and acid lines and The Future Sound Of London kick off the flipside with 'Hardhead' (Frothin' At The Mouth mix) which is an assault of breaks, congas, whistles and rave signifiers. 'Pulse State' (831 AM mix) is that perfect tune to zone out to on a late night drive on the motorway.

Review: Split between Poland and Berlin, Kos is a shadowy figure making moves within the minimal tech house scene, making a strident debut via the London-based Portal Records crew. This is on-point DJ gear of the highest order, leading in with the hypnotic roll and funked up bass of '1 Atom' before slipping into the sharp-strutting wig-out of 'Peron'. 'Helo' is a dreamier cut with some elegant, dubby techno chords pulsing in between the slender beats, and 'Full Love' tips towards freaky synth licks before a warm, rounded bassline arrives to anchor the track in fine style.

Review: German artist Sven Wesiemann likes to keep it deep and always manages to cook up fine grooves form the most bare sonic essentials. This second volume of his dubbed out minimal, techno and techno tools is another vital resource for those who share a smiler outlook. All six cuts are expertly reduced, perfect warm and damn hypnotic when played loud in the right club. The subtle details - a heart wrenching chord, alluring vocal, deft rhythmic twist - are what evaluate these above mere fodder. They come in a nice screen-printed sleeve too so do not sleep.

Review: DJ Sneak is about as house music as it gets. The Puerto-Rico born, US-based DJ and producer is a second wave pioneer whose own sound is raw and loopy. He calls himself a house gangster and now has titled his latest EP on Frappe, 'Chicago House', so you know what you're going to get with it. Despite his veteran status, Sneak is in fine form here with the pleasing melodic loops and upward energy of the opener, the more jazzy chords and deeper vibes of 'I Need You complete with aching vocal sample, then there is a more chunky and UK fury feel to the kicks of 'When You Dance.' Last of all is 'A Little Acid' with a 303 spraying around over nice textured drums. Useful stuff for sure.

Review: Macedonian label Pirka mints its fourth vinyl release with this immersive minimal workout from De Yan, who lays down a sprightly but dubby groove on 'Gettin' There' with deep-as-you-like chord pulses and a playful vocal sample run through all manner of tricksy processing. 'The Dream Team' is a housier affair which plays around with snappy square wave bass hooks and keeps the drums sizzling in a crunchy, looped-up style. Varhat then steps up to remix the track, dropping some boxy 90s drums onto the mellow source material to make a quintessential old-skool stomper for those who like to get their heads down and lock in as they get their jack on.

Review: Novaj Records presents its second vinyl release - 'Space Energy', an electrifying compilation EP inviting listeners on an interstellar journey through a wide array of sonic cosmologies, in good stead with the nascent trend of space-age acid house emergent of late. Lauching into the boundless realms of space, the likes of Donnie Cosmo's 'Venus Transit', MLink's 'Frequencia' and Sunaas' 'Flash Dancer' are all as enchanting as they are out-of-body-experience-inducing.

Review: VID is one of the seemingly endless numbers of Romanian minimal artists to churn out high-class late-night soundtracks. This one finds him landing on the Purple Print label with his signature dark and moody grooves. 'Crazy' has underlapping drums that are airy and overlaid with heavy minor keys. 'Edge' is more hurried, with scurrying drums and bass and wet claps almost falling over themselves. 'Last Stop' has a playful chord sequence doing a dance over the tightly coiled grooves and 'Subumbre' rounds out with dead of night sonic intrigue and alien sound effects. Another classy one from VID, then.

Review: By popular demand, Traumer's 'District' finally hears a vinyl release; the Parisian mastermind's as-yet underground hit is accompanied by an equally jubilant mega-club tool, 'At Lanta', not to mention two subtler, deeper techno pieces from one of Berg Audio's most essential elements, Kolter. There's something on this EP for everyone, be that dubby wonkers or straighter texture-melters.

Review: Jorge Caiado takes charge of the tenth EP from Carpet & Snares with his tropically stylish mix of acid, techno and house. 'Wild Card' is first up with warped 303 lines undulating above an elastic bassline and amidst clattering perc. 'Life's Too Short' ups the pace a little with fresh house sound that has buffed metal chords and smeared pads over leggy beats. Things then take a turn to afterparty territory with 'Freak Not Freak' which is more late night and weird, and 'Wrong Mindset' then flips the vibe once more with its smeared dub chords and reverb-rich deep house drums.

Review: Hot Creations remains a great breeding ground fresh new tech house talent and also supplies plenty of dance floors with non-stop dancing fodder. Lorenzo De Blanc is next up to the mantle with a trio of razor sharp cuts - 'Feel My Desire' goes first and is a low slung and sleazy cut with a naughty bassline. The drums pump and the bass hits hard. 'Energy' then gets more hard edged, with snappy snares and a monstrous low end that will rattle walls in any club. 'Show Me The Way' shuts down with the funkiest cut of the lot - a slinky house rhythm with some old school piano energy. Lovely stuff.

Review: More of the good stuff from prolific Uruguayan producer and DJ Santiago Uribe, spanning the Montevideo-based artist's loving fusions of European dance music and Latin roots. Sinister hard trance ('Av Memesa 2515'), acid wompers and judderers ('Lunes Despues De La Lluvia') and weirdo melodic descents ('Otro Edifico Mas') make up its bullk, while a closing nod to Kraftwerk comes in the form of 'Trans Sudaca Express', playfully subverting the experience of emigration to Europe through the lens of robotic synthy dance, Sudaca being the Spanish nickname for those emigrating there from South America.

Review: German progressive house duo Andhim specialize in bringing out the genre's sentimental side, and their latest single 'I Love You' is a masterful case in point. Describing their sound as "super house", the pair evidently only choose the most serene and gut-punching sounds and samples going in, and 'I Love You' exemplifies this, with its knife-edge, repetitive vocal and swellingly pink chords, which recall the French house climaxes of The Paradise or Daft Punk, and/or the more recent, well-rounded post-10s uplifts of Bicep. Of course, the B-side must provide the mirror image, on which the equally powerful emotion of hatred is explored. Hatred isn't exactly a house music go-to, but the psychologist in us feels compelled to remind the reader that love and hatred, aren't binary opposites, and are closer together than we often think!