Oscar Mulero
‘Black Propoganda’
(WARM UP)
It takes about a minute to realise that Oscar’s new album ‘Black Propaganda’ is a very different ball game to his last ‘Grey Fades To Green’ masterpiece. The approach is more subtle, spacious and perhaps a little more introvert than we’ve heard from him before. There’s nine tracks on the album and each one is like a painting in its own right – taking sounds that twist, distort and colour, and crafting them into a melting pot of beautiful sound. Well worth hunting down! 9/10
Dolby D and Tom Eirh
‘Red Creek’
(HIDDEN RECORDINGS)
Modern, captivating techno music from Dolby D and Tom Eirh on Hidden Recordings. The original track starts deeply indeed, before exploding into a full on Saturday night stomper that gets your ass wiggling in places it’s never been wiggled. Just as stimulating, there are two other mixes of interest here too – an even more strenuous work out from Alex Karakasis and a deep driver from Rene Walther. Essential for the CD case indeed! 8/10
Reeko
Ella
(MENTAL DISORDER)
Reeko is one of those guys that you would not like to meet down a dark alley. His music is uncompromisingly special, aiming for deep thought rather than simple foot tapping movement. This is the first release in a series of three 10-inch vinyl specials (also available on digital we hope) and it’s what you might expect and more. In fact much, much more. Enter straight into a distant world of bells and metallic nonsense – all clanging at your heart strings. Special music for special minds. 9/10
Lakker
‘Arc EP’
(BLUEPRINT)
Blueprint has always been a label with its finger firmly on the pulse but they’ve outdone themselves with this new release by Lakker. Dara Smith and Ian McDonnel (also known as Eomac) are based in Dublin and cross the boundaries between techno, dark industrial and electronica. Recently releasing their debut album on Killekill, this is their first excursion on Blueprint and hopefully it wont be the last. Four moving, punishing soundscapes of music - all of which scream out identity and quality. 10/10
A.Trebor and M.A.D.A
‘Gatwick EP’
(HIDDEN RECORDINGS)
Banger of the month comes courtesy of Hidden Recordings in the form of Chris Finke’s remix of ‘Palmo’ by A.Trebot and M.A.D.A. With an almost old school Space DJz vibe, this one grabs you by the nuts from the very off – with a bassline that needs to be heard to be believed. But this is not just about old school., there’s fresh production values to the work here meaning you can easily stick it in as a last track in the most innovative of techno sets. Nice work Chris. 9/10
Sterac aka Steve Rachmad
‘Secret Life Of Machines (Remastered and Remixed)’
(100% PURE)
When this was originally released in 1995 the music on this made us cry so hard the whole neighbourhood ordered a set of nappies. Well now it’s back to tug at your heartstrings yet again. But with a bunch of new remixes, this suddenly becomes more than essential. It becomes a requirement. We’re treated to so much good new material from Joris Voorn, 2000 and One, Heiko Laux and Samuel L Session. The list is endless. And so are the tissues. 10/10
