Marco Bailey
‘Dragon Man’
(BEDROCK)
These days, like it or not, everyone is looking for ‘value for money’ in a CD. We need more than just a collection of eight tracks or a lazy month of studio work. This is where albums such as ‘Dragon Man’ by Marco Bailey come in. A double CD this features ten of his own productions followed by a twelve track mix for those long journeys on a midnight motorway. But is it any good? Although the DJ mix was not present at the time of review, there are some decent enough tracks here and it’s good to see Marco stepping out of his comfort zone with some classy non-dancefloor numbers that will work well on a lazy Sunday in the living room chair. If however you just want to mosh it by the speaker, that’s all here too (in a Bedrock/lets not go too bonkers kind of way of course!). 8/10
Death Abyss
The Mechanics Of Dissent/Descent
(RODZ KONEZ)
It doesn’t get much darker than this. And if you can get past being scared out of your senses by the cover artwork, then you’re in for one hell of a treat. Feel your neck being slashed by razor sharp snaps and booms. Take cover as the kicks rumble up from behind, bend you over the alleyway dustbin and fiddle with your private parts. Death Abyss is truly a terrifying experience that leaves you in bits on the floor, begging for your life! Makaton is yet again ahead of the pack here and with a free track available from Juno as part of the EP, you’ve no excuse to check this one out. 8/10
BCR Boys and Kroman Celik
‘Fractures EP’
(IMPACT MECHANICS)
When you stumble across a new BCR Boys release, it’s always fist followed by marbles-in-the-air time and this release is no exception. ‘Fractures EP’ features not only some super music from the lads but also three great tracks from Kroman Celik. The best track is of course the title track ‘Fractures’, although you’re going to find plenty of playable lo-fi stroboscopics here. Rolling beats, mechanical percussion and some great sound textures, there’s more dirt that you can shake a stick at – and then some. More from these guys please! 8/10
The Advent & Industrialyzer
‘Red House’
(ADVANCED INTELLIGENCE)
The last few years has seen The Advent change their style massively and this is a reflection of the way many have progressed in the world of techno. Instead of hard, rolling percussions, things are more spaced out and sounds have much more room to breathe. This EP is a perfect showcase for that, taking the most minute of sounds and blowing them up so that they mess with your brain it massively unexpected ways. Yet whenever Industrialyzer gets involved there’s always a twist and no more so than on ‘Red House’. A good little EP indeed! 7/10
O/V/R
‘Post Traumatic Son’
(BLUEPRINT)
Place this one on the decks and you immediately notice a more stripped down approach than what we’re used to. Whereas Blueprint productions are usually much fuller, this one takes things right back to the most essential musical elements. It’s the bass line that grabs you, sucking you into the sound and adding subtle hats and drums for good measure. It’s not the best release ever on Blueprint but if this is a sign of things to come, then it’s an interesting release nonetheless. 8/10
Robert Hood
Alpha (James Ruskin Remix)
(M-PLANT)
For those that think they know what minimal techno is, even if you don’t even like the genre, you need to check this one out. The original 90’s ethos of the genre is (thankfully!) still alive and well in this very release and although at first you’ll be quite surprised just how far Ruskin has managed to pull things back, it should come as no surprise that one of the original UK techno masters should be capable of such a monumental feat! The beauty on this track is within the break, where the emotion level is raised to an absolute maximim, taking no prisoners in the process. An essential release for the serious techno heads. 9/10
Decimal
‘Ghost’
(SOMA)
Verging on the housey edge of techno, the original of this is a peak timer that destroys the Saturday night bum-wiggle crew. However for those of you unaware, prepared to be blown out of your dancing shoes and into some otherworldly cosmos by none other than Captain America, Dustin Zahn. Originally a hard techno producer Dustin is making a big name for himself amongst those who know. Decimal is actually from Chicago, so it’s no surprise to see him enlists the services of his friend and Enemy Records head honcho Dustin for this smooth 5 track EP. 7/10
Shifted
‘Drained’
(MOTE EVOLVER)
Quickly developing into everyone’s favourite label, Luke Slater’s Mote Evolver imprint never fails to deliver when it comes to proper, serious techno music. ‘Drained’ takes you back to the mid 90’s where electronica crossed over with techno so beautifully and EP were more than just throw away releases. This is work of art material, with atmospheres that take you deep into the very center of your mind. Shrowded in anonymity, Shifted is taking us cleverly back to the roots of the sound – no hype, no bullshit, just pure music. 10/10
