Applied Rhythmic Technology Vinyl & CDs

Review: Back to 96: The 4th Wave was a producer named Steve Paton. Also operating under aliases such as The Invisibles and Lo-Fi Sensibilities (when he appeared on Mo Wax), Steve didn't remain active for too long outside of the 90s but he left us two killer EPs. One on Planet E in 95 and this one on Kirk Degiorgio's Op-Art in 96. Reissued for the first time, and now featuring the twinkling downtempo delight "Lounge Music" (which was only ever previously available on a compilation), it's a powerful example of the Detroit/UK feedback loop at the time as both techno hubs were influencing each other. "Attention Please" rolls out the breaks, "Mean Streets" bites like a woozy UR record while "Cosmic Dance" whips up a tribal frenzy for the finale. 23 years old and still sounding future.

Review: After a number of notable EPs, London Modular Alliance have made a name as one of electrons most vital new acts. They have fomented a unique take on the sound that blends a love of the classics with advance modular synthesis to made for a mutant sound that always stands out. Here they serve up a much anticipated debut album across four sides of vinyl. There are widescreen cinematic cuts like the absorbing ambient pads and gentle broken beats of 'Bob's Rotten Head' next to inventive, hyper-speed rhythms like 'Champion Belt' and plenty in between.

Review: From the first beat, you'd assume this early techno sounding cut was presumably from Detroit, and could have been by Derrick May himself - but you know it isn't. Turns out it is from the early Eevolute catalogue, a Dutch label created by Steffen Robbers and Wladimir M in 1991 that receives a reissue here on Kirk Degiorgio's ART imprint. Indeed, Eevolute developed a strong affinity with the Motor City, so much so that connections were built between them and Carl Craig's Planet E - and reciprocal releases appeared on both labels. Erwin van Moll aka Max404 released the Recycler EP in 1992 and it's a much sought after classic, demanding high prices on the second hand market. From the aforementioned Transmat vibe on hi-tech funk cuts like "May The Force Be With Us!" or "Fractal View" through to epically forest excursions in techno-soul as heard on "Mamoulian" or sublime downbeat IDM experiments like "Quiddity" which could have equally been at home on a label like Peacefrog at the time - this is absolutely timeless stuff!