Kompakt Extra Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Speicher series feels almost as old as techno itself by now. It has long been one of the many jewels in Cologne label Kompakt's crown and Kolsch, one of the label's chief mainstays, has been behind many of them. This 128th such offering is a dreamy yet dynamic techno sound that sits up there with some of the label's best offerings. 'Cold Air' is urgent and edgy but always awash with waves of melodic sheen even when the ragged bass is in free fall. 'Environ' then has a 90s IDM Warp feel to it with its bright reflective melodies filtered and drawn out, stretched and smeared over a big and bouncy beat.

Review: Initially released digitally earlier this year, Rune Reilly Kolsch's latest Speicher effort for Kompakt makes the leap to the 12" format soon after the Dane issued his second LP, 1983, on the Cologne hub. Much like that album, and Kolsch's music in general, these two tracks are stirring exercises in joyous melodies, wide-eyed synths and thrusting beats and will have the requisite effect when deployed at the right moment on the dancefloor. As epic as lead track "Derdiedas" is in full flight, it's the shimmering vocal harmonies and chiming melodies of B side track "Two Birds" that really stand out.

Review: Kolsch gets his freak on with this latest release on for the Kompakt Extra label which represents the Danish producer's fourth Speicher in total. We are not sure what Rune Reilly Kolsch was on when he was in the studio making "Papageno" but we sure would like some, as the production is bugged out to the extreme! Detuned synths and malfunctioning electronics collide magnificently with manipulated basslines and stripped back percussion before Kolsch introduces a most pleasant detour into a more melodic plane blessed by fluttering vocals from When Saints Go Machine's Waa Industry. On the flip, Kolsch teams up with pianist Gregor Schwellenbach for the sublime "Cassiopeia" which surely ranks as one of Kompakt's most affecting B Sides of recent memory.

Review: Danish artist Kolsch returns on Kompakt Extra following the success of last year's successful single "Grey". Alongside launching his own BBC1 residency, he continued to evolve as a DJ which has led to residencies launching in Cologne and Ibiza. On the A side is "Push" with its powerful string symphonies powered away by shimmering arpeggios, roaring synth leads and thundering snares: this one is absolutely epic. On the flip is "Goodbye", which is a delightfully moody and experimental cut with organ-like synth textures, retro-futuristic bleeps and fragmented alien voices.

Review: The Kompakt Speicher series continues to be an essential drip feed into the global techno scene, and Danish producer Kolsch has been one of those steadily supplying the goods since 2010. On this latest drop he's sounding especially playful as 'Woohman' plays around with militaristic drum fills and bugging acid lines to create a true party monster. 'Speciherband' has its own ideas about showing force with brass stabs that sound like a marching band on parade, albeit within the context of highest-grade big room techno. Make no mistake, these tracks are here to make you party whether you like it or not.