Back catalogue: Trance

Review: In celebration of their tenth birthday, Selador marks the occasion in style with a four-track collaborative EP, featuring tracks from 3D, Robert Owens, Olivier Giacomotto, Quivver, Dave Seaman, Hernan Cattaneo, Argia, and Jepe. The opening track, 'Known Love', is a deep, pulasting house tune that feels like an instant classic, perhaps thanks to the soulful, pop-tinged vocals - think LCD soundsystem meets Four Tet. 'Snailblazer', the second track on the EP, takes a much darker turn, with a chugging, EBM-esque feel. Full-bodied and complete with obscured vocals, this is the kind of track to pull out your bag when it's time to really get stuck in. On the B-side, 'Napkin Knowledge' draws on the glistening synths of eurodance, yet still securing the melodies to a grounded bassline and rhythm section. 'Salitre' is the perfect closing track, rising up in a gleaming, ecstatic melody, before delicately returning to ground level. A varied yet firmly cohesive collaborative release - the perfect way for Selador to kick off their 2023 catalogue.

Review: Melody Of The Soul is focused on an emotive strain of techno which takes its cues from classical composition as much as contemporary electronic music. On this new 12", rasa Rosa takes centre stage for a debut outing which makes an instant impression thanks to the stirring fusion of youthful choral vocals and bombastic strings set to a steady 4/4 pulse. 'Kukushka' is lighter in tone, shot through with a soothing balm of pan pipes and enchanting female vocals which persist into the collaborative cut with Ranta and Miroshin, 'Kolybelnaya'. On the final track, Rosa links up with MOS for a delicate, house-oriented meditation for the most spiritual, open-hearted of dancefloor moments.

Review: Mikkel Rev presents UTE 013, a captivating sonic journey through the realms of trance music. This four-track EP on the Norwegian label UTE. REC showcases the artist's versatility and mastery of the genre. 'Zygo' pulsates with a frenetic energy, its psychedelic trance rhythms evoking an otherworldly sci-fi ambiance. 'Tone Control' leans towards Goa trance, its alien basslines and science fiction aesthetics creating a gripping narrative. For the second side, 'Whorl' offers a more uplifting and ethereal experience, transporting listeners to vast cosmic spaces. The piece of wax concludes with 'Tension', a 90s-style German techno track that showcases Rev's ability to fuse classic elements with modern innovation. Overall, a very strong window into a current artist's views of the history of the genre.

Review: The Club Vision label is hurtling towards its tenth release with another potent techno offering from underground favourite Riccardo - two c's. As always he brings plenty of character to his machine sounds, such as with the lazy bassline that underpins the cosmic tech of opener 'Ricordi'. 'Foulard' is another one with bright synths and naive riffs that hook you in while the thudding drums and steely snares drive things onwards. 'Parade' is a playful one again with wispy pads and whistling leads that convey a real innocence. 'Curtain' shuts down with a touch of trance and prog energy as the future tech grooves march on.