Juno Recommends Techno: May 2024

Review: Just over two decades after its initial release, peerless dub don Paul St. Hilaire aka Tikiman & Rene Lowe's timeless masterpiece 'Faith' sees a first-ever reissue. It arrives on Richard Akingbehin's Kynant Records, which has also put out Tikiman's first solo album in over a decade and sounds as good as it ever did. 'Faith' (Vox mix) is bottomless dub with liquid chords rippling off to infinity as the dreamy vocals drift in and out and the original version is and even more edgeless and smeared and smudged deep dub delight.

Review: Danza Nativa has done a great job of establishing its own unique sound in the techno sphere over the last half a decade. Now it marks the occasion of its fifth birthday with a two-part compilation that showcases its avant-garde take on the genre. They tell us that part one has been assembled as a sort of "mental (as in pensive, not deranged) techno album that takes the form of some direct tools for working DJs. Anthony Linell, Claudio PRC, Luigi Tozzi and Daniel[I] are those who step up and explore abstract, drone, deep and plenty in between.

Review: This classic techno record has been remastered and repressed on nice blue limited translucent midnight vinyl to mark its tenth anniversary. It finds CV313 casting you adrift into a world of deft ambient pads, fathom-deep dub undercurrents that are so subtle you barely know they are there, and then mesmerising with ghostly apparitions and analogue modulations. On the flipside is a live version of the same tune that has a slightly more raw, textured rhythm and scraping synths so exudes a slightly different mood but is no less immersive.

Review: SND & RTN brings it home on this new 12" for Lempuyang that explores their signature techno depths. 'Palantir' opens with fathoms-deep dub and ice-cold synths that snake their way over the face of the track, while 'Hyperdrive' has rumbling chords and smeared pads that keep you on the ocean floor and 'Dub Conjurer' allows in a little more light from the surface with delicate shards piercing the murk. 'Tales From The Outer Rim' shuts down with a nice gentle rhythm that undulates beneath rippling pad work and works well as perfect early evening warm up.

Review: 'Seconds To Forever', by any measure, is a CV313 classic. Echospace pair Rod Modell and Stephen Hitchell dropped it initially on clear wax 14 years ago in 2010 and then served up a live version a year on. Now it is back in their spotlight again as they pull together previously released versions and unheard interpretations for a new translucent blue 12". The Intrusion dub is lo-go and scratchy with static electricity enveloping the rhythm, and the Deepchord mix I then peels that away to real only the most wispy synth modulations and barely-there dub rhythms. Deepchord Mix II is somewhere between the two and another sublime and heady escape.

Review: Falko Brocksieper is a cult German minimalist who was favoured by the likes of Craig Richards and his Tyrant project. This new EP from 20/20 Vision takes a deep dive into his back catalogue to unearth a gem that first arrived via Treibstoff Recordings almost 20 years ago in 2006. 'Frantic Formula' is a nice liquid cut with wispy sci-fi pads and rolling grooves for early evening warm-ups, while 'Outrun' gets more upright with its jumbled drum loops and gurgling bass. 'Covert Action' is another masterfully languid and elastic rhythm that layers up cowbells, wobbly low ends and silky loops that soon lock you into the groove. A welcome remaster and reissue for sure.

Review: "Drone Destructing Body Slams" says Ilian Tape of their next genre-defying offering, this time from the long-time Swiss underground mainstay that is Deetron. More normally known for this smooth and seductive deep house and techno sounds, here he presents Soulmate which is about much more edgy and textural techno stompers. 'Filter' comes as two mixes. The Body Mix is a turbocharged cut with dense layers of grime, synth and percussion and powered by some Shed-style piano stabs. The Broken mix cuts looser and has broken beats down low while 'Drone' gets the head up with its brighter synths swirls up top. The loopy, rusty low end is no less physical however then 'Bourg' brings some celebratory energy with its light chords and rousing sense of joy throughout.

Review: Jeff Mills throws a spaghettifying curveball with latest EP 'The Trip'. Themed after the terrifying notion of entering a black hole, and likening this to the vicarious yet no less enjoyable illusions of grandeur that might go hand in hand with attending a Millsart rave, 'The Trip' has been routinely billed as "the world's first cosmic opera" (in its performance incarnation), and attempts to sonically answer the question as to what exactly happens when we cross that fateful event horizon, in ambitious, live-jam-born-recorded form. Via eight cosmic suites of terrifying techno wizardry (we'd expect nothing less from the Belleville 'blazer), Jeff Mills brings his originally live, light-eating vision to vinyl, nailing the cosmick perceptual horror of being "sucked in" through dust-bitten repetitions, descending mind-melts and dissociative-detuned fugues - the latter is most intriguing; 'When Time Stops' is the track of choice for exploring Mills' least repetitious and most improvisatory tendencies.

Review: Danza Nativa is rightly celebrating its fifth anniversary recently and now follows up the first part of its anniversary compilation with part two, featuring tunes from across a broad spectrum. The first side delves into tribal rhythms and strident synths with Amandra keeping it stripped back and minimal and Dino Sabatini going deep and dubby on 'Danza Tribale'. Polygonia and Plants Army Revolver then set your mind free to wander among lush sound designs and captivating rhythms that head deep into a humid and futurist jungle.

Review: Oscar Mulero's The Stranger EP on Token marks a powerful return to the label, showcasing his signature style of intense techno compositions. The opening track, 'The Sweat and the Salt,' sets the tone with its moody atmosphere and gritty textures, while 'The Reddish Glow' introduces melodic interplay amidst hypnotic rhythms. 'Why Are You Holding a Gun' experiments with distorted synths and two-dimensional ambiance, creating a disorienting yet danceable experience. Finally, 'The Sunlight Blinded His Eyes' closes the EP with a meditative yet rhythmic journey, blending atmospheric pads with infectious basslines. Throughout the release, Mulero demonstrates his love of layering soundscapes and impactful percussion. The Stranger is a strong example to Mulero's ability to craft immersive club music that pushes boundaries while maintaining a relentless energy.

Review: There is something of an original 90s feel to the techno explored on this new drop from Holden Federico on the SK Eleven label: it is hard and fast, stripped-back but packed with atmosphere and also comes with artwork that harks back to the great work of Jeff Mill on Axis. After a cinematic and scene-setting opener, it's heads down on 'Myth' then 'Corner of the Room' brings some flashy synth light and 'The Beginning & The End traps you in suspenseful loops that never resolve. Two further cuts bring more physical techno thrills.

Review: Orbital remain titans of the global electronic scene which is no doubt why their self-titled album from 1991 now gets mastered and reissued for this year's Record Store Day. A pioneering work in electronic music, this landmark debut is a rich world of driving drums, hypnotic melodies, and intricate soundscapes. From the propulsive energy of the seminal 'Chime' to the dreamy ambience of 'Belfast,' each track showcases the duo's mastery of rhythm and texture. Orbital's use of innovative sampling techniques and atmospheric synths creates a distinct sonic universe that still stands them apart and helps make this a timeless classic that has influenced generations of electronic artists ever since.

Review: At more than a decade old and now 60 releases deep, Non Series is one of techno's most consistent and reliable outlets. Luigi Tozzi has been responsible in part for that and now returns to the label with his fourth solo outing, hot on the heels of 'Spiral' which proved a big underground hit. As always the sone is masterfully deep and atmospheric yet minimal. 'Head Hunt' is a swaggering dub techno cut for the heads, 'Strati' gets more psychedelic with soupy synths and neon tones, and 'Atlatl' rolls deep on spine-chilling rhythms. 'Obsidian' is a perfectly smooth and seductive sound for cosy back rooms.

Review: Tensal returns to the industrial / hard techno alias for another slam-fest, this time offered up to Italy's Void+1 Recordings imprint. The 'Photon Radiation' EP is a techno record with a heart and soul poured in; though it keeps to the hard techno form, it does do whilst also showing off an added ear for texture, with 'Photon Radiation' packing in all manner of metallic judders and farty scrapes between the beats; 'Squaring The Circle' blowing us away with its structural vocal repetitions and broken rhythms; and 'Beg To Be Destroyed' unnerving the listener with a comparatively furtive yet increasingly sinister buildup. Making us squirm with delight.

Review: Hydraulix Records continues to push the boundaries of ravey techno with Va03, a four-track EP that transports listeners back to the early '90s warehouse scene with its infectious energy and relentless beats. Side 1 kicks off with Acerbic's 'Deep In Your Mind,' a heavy sci-fi pounder that channels the essence of early '90s techno rave vibes. With nods to the big Belgium sounds and a prominent Hoover sound, this track is an instant banger that commands attention on the dancefloor. Following suit, Minor Dott's 'What You Callin Acid' delivers a menacing and sinister atmosphere, characterized by its mechanical and demonic undertones. It's a track that exudes raw power and intensity, perfect for those craving an adrenaline-fueled sonic experience. On Side 2, Andreas Kraemer & Shadym team up to bring us 'Reflect,' a percussive and loopy journey through hardcore rave sounds. The track pulsates with energy, immersing listeners in a hypnotic groove that's impossible to resist. Finishing things are Dave The Drummer & Phil Kershaw's 'Bassline Sunset,' a big room rave techno anthem that hits all the right notes. With its infectious bassline and euphoric atmosphere, this track is destined to ignite dancefloors worldwide. Each track on this EP offers a unique sonic experience, making it a must-have for fans of the early 90s rave scene.

Review: Lukid and Tapes are on a proper roll with Rezzett at the moment, following up on a knockout 2023 on The Trilogy Tapes with this self-released clutch of weirdo techno-not-techno nuggets from the outer reaches. There's distortion in abundance, and a laissez faire approach to soundsystem impact in favour of textural, atmospheric sculpting. It's dripping with intention even as it stumbles inquisitively from one lo-fi tweak to the next, sounding utterly inspired and delightfully unhinged in equal measure. What's most important is the melodic warmth which peeks through the noise, edging this above the usual murk associated with noise-doused electronics.