Rush Hour Holland Vinyl & CDs

Review: Detroit techno originator Terrence Dixon serves up another of his stunning albums on Rush Hour after making us all wait seven years since the last one. That one, Theatre of a Confused Mind, was as Population One, this one is under his own name, and it is another exploration of afro-futurist techno that could only come from the Motor City. The drums hit hard, but there is always soul in the synths. 'Reporting From Detroit' brings street-level angst and tension where 'Star Garden' explores the cosmos above, while moments of deep self-reflection are encouraged, nay mandatory, during tracks like 'Growth & Development.'

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Review: Recently Interstellar Funk (real name Olf van Elden) has used his Artificial Dance label to offer up a range of new and old tracks that doffs a cap to "wave" music - that hard-to-define, synthesiser-heavy style that first emerged at the turn-of-the-80s and has been evolving ever since. "Artificial Dancers", his first compilation, continues this trend by gathering together personal favourites and rarities that spans 40 years of wave music. It's a brilliant collection all told, with highlights including the moody dancefloor brilliance of Clan Of Xymox's "Stranger (Demo)", the Human League's exceedingly rare 1979 tribute to JG Ballard ("4JG"), a killer live recording of "Dias Cortas" by EBM kings Liaisons Dangereuse and the Norwegian eccentricity of Det Gylne Triangel's wayward post-punk synth-pop classic "Maskindans".

Review: Terrence Dixon's announcement of plans to retire from techno with immediate effect earlier this year have typically gone without any further explanation, though it's been heartening to see his final round of projects surface over the course of 2014. Having already committed a killer Population One 12" to Metroplex, Dixon delivers another fitting parting shot in this LP for Rush Hour, who took their name from his classic Pop One production "Rush Hour". Theater Of A Confused Mind is a powerful statement from Dixon, expanding on the sci-fi themes of previous Population One material and posing several cryptic questions. Dixon's own voice introduces the album on "Out Of Control" and as matters progress those trademark queasy lines of melody begin to take control - "Inner City Circus" being a stand out of this set.

Review: Dutchman Tom Trago has somehow been away from what was once his home label for a full decade now. He makes a welcome return like a long-lost son on new album Deco, a superbly accomplished record that takes its name from a sauna he frequented when he needed to decompress. Eventually, he put his musical career on hold and went to speed time with his young family and so this album was recorded after a long time away from club dance floors. It is delightfully whimsical with airy melodies, curious chords and majestic synth craft all drifting over barely-there rhythms. It's an album that provided musical therapy for Trago, and now us.