De:tuned Vinyl & CDs

Review: De:tuned house As One on their latest album-length demonstration in melodic house and techno. With over 30 years of studio experience under his belt, the pivotal British producer also known as Kirk Degiorgio once again lands on De:tuned with the mesmerising eight-track album, Requiem. Now joined by Catherine Siofra Prendergast, this progressive melodic release spans every wondrous end from elegiac acid to fractal bleep techno, keeping every waking or sleep-dancing moment harmonic and blissful over its course. Only the cavernous 'Message Received' marks any comparatively sinister moment, its textural harmonics offering little respite for the purely diatonic ear.

Review: Returning with his signature sound drawn from the early UK techno scene he helped pioneer, Kirk Degiorgio's new album lands on De:tuned, a label dedicated to upholding that very sound and the continued creativity of its originators. Of Degiorgio's various aliases, AsOne is the one which has endured, and existing fans will find themselves more than satisfied with the approach taken on this new long player. Of course part of that satisfaction requires a sense of progression, given this has always been music concerned with the future, and Degiorgio manages to keep his sound moving forwards, drawing on ever-richer production and luxurious melodic sensibilities to deliver a mature and immersive kind of techno as suited to armchair escapism as dancefloor immersion.

Review: Kirk Degiorgio's As One project continues to be a beacon of inspiration within the annals of deep, melodic UK techno. As a true pioneer of the sound from the earliest days, it's impressive to see his inspiration maintain, and there's no better home for his work than De:tuned, a label dedicated to preserving the rich expression and invention of that foundational sound. On AsOne2 we're treated to an extended excursion into widescreen machine soul of the highest calibre, where melancholic chord progressions collide with restlessly original drum programming. It's quite simply exquisite, produced with an impeccable ear and loaded with sincere human feeling. This limited pressing of the album comes on red marbled wax too - highly recommended for the collectors out there.

Review: In a Catholic or other ecclesiastical context, a requiem is a song written and recited as an intended repose for the dead; a lyrical aid for mourning. And with over 30 years of studio experience under his belt, British techno producer Kirk Degiorgio lands on De:tuned with his very own 'Requiem', an eight-track excursion through ambi-mesmeric audio in the vein of digital, calculative ambient techno and other adjacent dance styles; though we are indeed left to wonder whether we're mourning anything here, because by the sounds of it, nothing at all has died. A longtime alias of Degiorgio, As One is nonetheless joined by fellow songwriter and producer Catherine Siofra Prendergast for this particular trip through the cyberspace sublime; best among these acid ambient apotheoses have to be 'Message Received', which slings low compared to the gaseous highs that precede it, and the closing 'Requiem', a masterclass in nimbus-floating techno.

Review: The seemingly unstoppable rise of De:tuned continues, as they take a break from serving up sci-fi techno, IDM and ambient techno to deliver something a lot more intense: a surprise EP from original House of God Birmingham resident DJ Paul 'Damage' Bailey. Channeling the spirit of his friend Surgeon while offering up something fresh, the two original tracks on show are undeniably inspired. 'Hadal Zone' adds weirdo noises, bleeps and mind-mangling electronic pulses to a slipped Afro-techno groove, while 'Decompression' is a wonky, triple-time workout full of Ket-addled electronics and wayward loops. Makaton re-imagines that track as a locked-in late-night techno throb-job, while James Ruskin turns 'Hadal Zone' into a buzzing, industrial-influenced electro-bleep number.

Review: Robert Leiner returns with Analog Days, a celebration of electronic craftsmanship released on De:tuned Records. Known for his influential work in the early 90s on R&S and Apollo, Leiner brings a fresh yet nostalgic sound with this ten-track album. Recorded between 2005 and 2015, Analog Days blends rhythmic complexity with serene atmospheres, showcasing Leiner's skill at balancing intensity and calm. Tracks like 'Echobox' stand out for their gritty, processed beats, while 'Session 0510' captures a more melodic side, almost touching on IDM. Fans of Leiner's classic Visions of the Past album will appreciate 'My Dream,' which echoes the ambient depth of his earlier work. The album flows effortlessly between dancefloor energy and introspective moments. 'Chords' is particularly radiant, its soaring harmonies evoking the spirit of 1993's golden era. This release is a well-rounded journey through electronica, perfect for listeners who appreciate both the past and the present of techno and ambient music.

Review: Belgian independent label Detuned, hits a major milestone with its 50th release, Analog Days, a long-awaited ten track album by legendary Swedish producer Robert Leiner. Known for his pioneering role in trance, techno, and ambient music through his work with R&S Records, Leiner was instrumental in the early development of Detuned, contributing to the label's growth with his live performances and DJ sets under his alias, The Source Experience. As part of Detuned's 15th anniversary celebrations, Analog Days offers a collection of mostly hardware-based productions recorded between 2005 and 2015. These tracks, now freshly mixed and completed, highlight Leiner's mastery in crafting dynamic yet soothing soundscapes. Each piece captures his signature styleia seamless blend of rhythm and atmosphereioffering an expansive sonic experience that transports listeners through various electronic terrains. This release isn't just a retrospective but a continuation of Leiner's enduring influence on electronic music. Analog Days embodies a unique exploration of sound, delivering a journey where rhythmic motion and ambient tones coalesce.

Review: David Morley's Fashion has recently been pulled from his DAT archives and now sees the light of day on a physical vinyl. What sets apart these two tracks is its origin as a soundtrack for a fashion show - an unconventional outlet for deeper electronic music in the early 90s. Made for Dirk Bikkembergs fashion show in Paris, it's a time capsule, capturing the essence of an era when Morely's music was some of the best to explore deeper electronic dance music. The title track, 'Fashion', opens with a strong, immersive intro that immediately sets the tone. Morley's signature spatial electronics take center stage, evoking a sense of otherworldliness akin to a journey through the cosmos. The deep basslines pulsate beneath the surface, adding an ominous and slightly eerie quality to the track. It's cinematic in its scope, conjuring images of vast, desolate landscapes yet to be explored. As the beats intensify, the listener is swept away on a sonic voyage. On the flip side, 'Show' delves into darker territory, with a mood that is both seductive and sinister. The low-slung beats provide a hypnotic backdrop, drawing one deeper into Morley's sonic underworld.

Review: David Morley makes a triumphant return to De: Tuned with his electrifying Fashion EP which was captured live and is now served up as a limited edition release pressed on striking grey marbled vinyl. Back in the early 90s, Belgian fashion icon Dirk Bikkembergs commissioned David Morley to craft a special musical piece for Paris Fashion Week. The resulting 'Fashion - Show' DAT tape recording presented here immortalises the vibrant energy of Morley's captivating live performance and marks a fusion of art and music that defined an entire era.

Review: Nuron's latest album, Blanchimont, released on De:tuned Records, reaffirms his status as a luminary in the ambient techno realm. The title track, 'Blanchimont,' is fused with Detroit's machine soul while adding some European twist, heightened by its release on vibrant orange vinyl. 'Stavelot' on Side-1 enchants with its scenic beauty and soulful melodies, reminiscent of Detroit techno's finest moments. Meanwhile, 'Masta' on Side 2 explores ambient realms, echoing the styles of CIM, As One, or Stasis. Throughout the album, Nuron's signature blend of nostalgia and innovation shines, creating a sonic experience that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Blanchimont stands as another jewel in Nuron's discography, another bookmark in his enduring influence and creative talents in the ambient techno genre.

Review: During the early-to-mid 1990s, Nurmad Jusat released a string of now sought-after singles on Likemind that showcased an emotive, far-sighted take on techno that still sounds timeless all these years on. This fine collection features various recordings he made - but never released - as Nuron and Fuge back in 1993 and '94. As inspired by the techno sounds of his native UK as the far-sighted brilliance of purist Detroit techno and the dreamy soundscapes of Larry Heard, it's a genuinely brilliant collection of long-lost gems. Our picks include the subtly clonk-influenced opener 'The Coded Message', the skewed deep electro shuffle of 'Another Way', the sci-fi techno brilliance of 'Contrapoin (First Version)' and the out-there ambient soundscape that is 'Dialectic Confusion'.