Gated Vinyl & CDs

Review: Malmo, Sweden-based Bolero Record store boss Dip Shim comes correct on his debut album with a sublime series of personal and storytelling cuts that find him digging deep into his reserves. The music is said to draw on his childhood in Spain and mixes up elements of downtempo, electro, techno and house. Across the 12 tracks there is plenty to explore with pensive electro opener 'Enter The Maragrillo' twitchy downbeat acid jam 'One For Regen' and deep space ambient soundtrack 'Bases Didacticas' all making an indelible impact.

Review: If you like acid, and you like it deep, then keep reading. Dircsen has put together an album of just that for Gated across four sublime sides of wax. Helical Structures operates at the intersection of those sounds and more, with a range of different tempos explored from the unhurried 'Fragments' which spits out random hits and has a nice lo-fi edge to the more high pressure acid of 'Helical Structures' with its undertone of bass lead menace. 'Jack In The Head' is a more classic acid cut with nods to the Chicago pioneers and 'Synthetic Rhythm' (Know Where mix) is perfect for both body and head.

Review: The sheer volume of material The Jaffa Kid puts out himself makes it tricky to keep up, but fortunately you can count on labels like Gated to offer a more manageable window into his sound. Taking elements from electro, breakbeat and electronica, Daniel Pringle surfs sinewaves and sequences to create heartfelt machine music with blood pumping in its circuits. Presented across double vinyl, this is a proper album experience which takes in starry-eyed chill-out, misfit acid techno, crunchy hardcore and much more besides. You might call it braindance, or you might just call it The Jaffa Kid.

Review: Renowned Maltese producer Sound Synthesis has always been an adept electro specialist, unafraid of pushing the genre to its furthest limits. Braindance analogia and rave ghosts all crop up on this melodic, admittedly emotional new long EP, recalling a much breaksier Bicep, for those who like their dance music a bit rawer than what its most obvious channels have to offer. It's all thanks to SS's penchant for analog synthesis and vintage hardware - heads know no end of classic machines were used in the formation of his sound. This is a statement of real passion.