Hybride Sentimento Italy Vinyl & CDs

Review: During the 1990s, Age was one of the most used aliases of man-of-many-pseudonyms (and all round techno legend) Thomas Heckmann. He released many singles and two albums under the alias, with the first of the latter - 1994's "The Orion Years" - being the most celebrated. This 25th anniversary edition of that set proves why. While the track listing is slightly different from the original version (a couple of tracks have been omitted in favour of unheard cuts produced in the same period) it remains a fantastically spacey, far-sighted and sci-fi focused set that brilliantly blurs the boundaries between techno, acid, electro, ambient techno and electronica - all bubbly TB-303 lines, firm beats, alien melodies, deep space chords and undulating basslines.

Review: Cabaret Du Ciel are a sight for sore eyes around these parts! We're talking rare-as-hen's-teeth material here, and the sort of percussive ambient music that has opened the genre up to a new generation. Their debut album, from 1992, is entitled Skies In The Mirror and has undoubtedly stood the test of time - often sounding more fresh and innovative than plenty of music made these days. Italy's Hybride Sentimento has relaunched this magnificent LP, which takes you on a voyage of dusty percussion loops, ominous cold waves, and all sorts of otherworldly sonics. As a matter of fact, it also verges onto the dance spectrum, with tunes like "Hanging Wave" sounding more cutting-edge than the deepest, most twisted techno being made. If you're into doom, ambient, darkwave, or anything of that ilk then this is tailor-made for you. And, of course, it comes warmly recommended, too!