Yore Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: Ross Alexander debuts on Yore and brings with him a more tech-leaning sound that you might expect of this traditionally techno-centric outlet. It still calls on plenty of Motor City signifiers, however, such as warm synth soul, machine grooves and a dusty depth. 'Soul Roots' has all that and a cosmic melodic air, 'Cycles' gets more twisted with a pressurised baseline and drums full of rebound while 'All I Need' sets off on freewheeling, psychedelic pads and serene grooves that carry you away in a reverie before 'Reflections' shuts down with twinning cosmic pads and gurgling low ends. A classy and escapist EP of futuristic bliss.

Review: Detroit's Niko Marks comes through with a surprise three-track EP, 'Density', strictly limited to just 250 copies. Kicking things off with a fresh rerub of 'Here In Paradise', an effulgent, Detroit skyline-scouring cut sporting original vocals by Trina Williams, by the moniker Nile River, we're met with a boundlessly enjoyable paradisiacal fantasy, one that is perhaps unattainable in life, yet nonetheless worth peering in on. Then there's two beautiful B-siders, where the real meat on the bone lies; 'Modest Intellect' and 'Organized Future' both deal in themes of the future, imagining Marks' preferred utopia as one in which kazooing, jazzy streetscapes abound; the exhorting question, "what does the future hold for you?" resounds on the A like a superegoic voice-in-the-head, while the reply comes in wordless, yet relaxed form on the blithely languid closer.

Review: Yore is a low key but always worth checking label which has got together one of its best releases in some time here. P0lyrhythm is the artist behind it and the title, 'Motor City Dreams' gives you an idea of what to expect inside - Detroit-style techno with retro-future synth work. Opener '313 Hazy Days' is just that - an acidic mix of swirling pads and driving techno drums full of hi-tek soul. 'Shimmering Lights' has old school percussive sounds and singing synth patterns that light up the deeper drums and then the title cut takes off to the stars on wispy leads and sleek beats. 'Ray Eyes' completes this most tasteful of deep techno EPs.

Review: Olli-Petteri Pietila has skirted around the underground for a long time under his own name and as Transistor, but he's found a new outlet for his Detroit-informed vintage techno sound on Yore under the P0lyrhythm alias. Andy Vaz's label is a natural home for such vibes and he continues to place his influence front and centre with the utterly dreamy 'Lake Michigan Breeze'. He even takes on Vaz's own 'Detroit In Me', serving up a remix which takes the track far out on a blissful combo of wistful pads and rolling percussion. If you like your techno classic, look no further.

Review: Earlier in the year, James Baker brought his long-running ReKaB project to Andy Vaz and Alessandro Vaccaro's long-running Yore imprint for the first time. This speedy sequel is similarly assured and quietly impressive. He begins by wrapping vintage drum machine beats and an angular, LFO-style bassline in unfeasibly spacey chords, bubbly electronics and woozy vocal samples ('My Inspiration'), before treating us to a warmer and more melodious slab of analogue deep house loveliness ('Soul Brother 88'). Over on the flip, 'Future Times' sees Baker pepper a hypnotic deep house beat in intergalactic, Motor City-influenced synth sounds and bubbly acid motifs, while title track 'Random Fragments' is another classy, far-sighted deep house-meets-deep techno number rich in superbly spacey sounds. Music for the head and the feet!

Review: REKAB has been making strong moves in the world of techno with his classic inspired but futuristic blend of melodic techno. The My Future & My Past EP showcases that. 'Soulful Season' opens the album with a magical and traditional Detroit techno sound, featuring playful melodies and ambient touches. Key piano notes impact the tune, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The title track, 'My Future & My Past,' is a robotic funk and techno fusion with a touch of electro. The beautiful melody adds a touch of soul to the track. Side 2 opens with 'Raw Note,' featuring an addictive groove and memorable keys. 'Bad Nights Better Nights' closes the album with a deeper groove, combining UK ambient techno and IDM influences. Overall, Soulful Season is a diverse and engaging album that showcases the artist's range and versatility.