It's fair to say that Robert Hood has god-like status here in Labs HQ. He's regarded as a living legend in the techno world and continues to produce quality tunes to a level that puts most others into the shade. His "Motor: Nighttime World 33 album was universally regarded as one of last year's best albums and Music Man have lined up the "Black Technician" track as the long-player's latest single outing. As well as the brilliant 10 minute long original, the label have drafted in [...]
The output from labels like Days Of Being Wild is what makes this job worth while after sifting through hours and hours of generic house and techno. The label has always been a bastion of excellent tunes with a diverse genre policy to keep your ears in the luxury they have become accustomed to. First known as a fashion and T-shirt label, Passarella Death Squad have moved into making music. Not a normal path but the haunting soundscapes and rich electronic beats offer aural pleasure of the highest quality. [...]
DJ Haus certainly has an ear for a lost gem and his Unknown to the Unknown imprint have just reissued the classic "Tribal Tone" by now defunct OHM, originally released on Scottish label, Hubba Hubba . The duo, made up of Yogi Haughton and Alan Watson, released the original in 93, amongst a few other releases for Hubba Hubba and Bomba Records . John MacLennan, manager of Utah Saints and label owner, finally closed the doors at Hubba Hubba in 1994, but the label and the music live [...]
A wander back to 1993 and a listen to The Black Dog's phenomenal "Bytes" album shows that while some of its material may have dated slightly, it still holds up steadily today 20 years on. The personnel has of course changed since those days but the quality of the output hasn't faltered. The trio's latest long-player entitled "Tranklements" has arrived and adds to what has already been a busy year with three 123s and several mixes released. From the opening melancholia of "Alien Boys" to the chunky kicks of "Atavistic Resurgence" [...]
The past few years have seen many drum n bass producers dropping the BPMs and wandering into the techno world and the latest to join the fold is Martsman . With a back catalogue full of quality left of centre beats for the likes of Med School , Warm Communications and Offshore his production skills are unquestioned and his latest outing sees him turn in two phenomenal 4/4 numbers for Pushing Red . "Shrank" kicks things off and the groove is fully in place with a shuffly percussive backbone [...]
Crosstown Rebels was home to the brilliant "Tales from the Crypt" album from Jamie Jones last year and he's returned to the imprint for another slab of quality house and drafted in some top drawer remixers to take on one of the album's stand out tracks. The new original on here "Moan & Groan" sees Jones firmly at the top of his game. Packed with sparkly synths and an earworm of a bass hook, it's a surefire winner that showcases his talent for producing shiny house of the highest order. [...]
Perth duo Clouds have been responsible for some rather fine full pelt techno over the past couple of years. The majority of their releases landing on Turbo (who will also play host to their debut album "Ghost System Rave" released on the 10th of June) and they've now teamed up with new label Overlee Assembly for this quality EP. The 123 comes with two Clouds originals and opener "Radical Cutting Methods" is not for the faint of heart. With fuzzy synth work, intense [...]
Despite being around for a few years, John Dimas first appeared on our radar with his brilliant remix of Lee Marrow's "Pain" and since then has gone on to firmly cement his reputation as a firm favourite round these parts. His recent live set at the infamous Watergate club caught the attention of many and his new EP for Dame Music is sure to continue his ascent. Title track "State of Mind" is a joyful slab of nostalgia packed house with an earworm of a vocal snippet, a big [...]
Glasgow's Animal Farm collective recently launched their own label with a brilliant 123 courtesy of Bleak and the follow has now arrived, this time with Stephen Brown at the controls. The Edinburgh producer will need no introduction for those with a taste for top drawer techno. With a catalogue stretching back to 95 packed with quality outings for legendary imprints such as Transmat and Djax-Up-Beats , his productions always come with a touch of class and this release is no different. The title track kicks things off [...]
Bristol-based producer Kamikaze Space Programme has slowly been building up an armoury of impressive techno over the past couple of years and his latest outing for Deca Rhythm adds another four sure-fire winners to the pack. Opener "Yuri Gagarin" takes the full frontal approach with a hefty kick and thumping percussion leading the way. The title track steps up next and things move down a notch with ounces of atmosphere floating along while the drums take their place at the back of the room, still present but never [...]
The trio known as the Hardway Bros have individually had a hand in the production of some of the finest electronic music to grace our ears and together they certainly create a force to be reckoned with. Their latest outing sees them get together with the brilliant Throne of Blood imprint for an impressive two-tracker. "A/B Musique" kicks things off with some crunchy bass leading proceedings with that analogue feel you've come to expect alongside some guitar meanderings and plonky synth work. It's absolutely huge and sounds so even on those crappy [...]
Well, after years of speculation and a week or so of scattered activity that's set many tongues a-waggin', we finally have an announcement and a release date for the new Boards of Canada album. The album entitled "Tomorrow's Harvest" will finally arrive on June 10th through Warp and is available to pre-order now over at Bleep . All we have in the way of audio is a scratchy MP4 video unveiled via cosecha-transmisiones.com after entering a password pieced together from several sources (and for those curious, the [...]
Contakt is back, which is good news in my book. His latest EP out now on Icee Hot takes in elements of dub and techno on the 2 original tracks. Sweet. The 2 reworks are excellent to boot, with Ghosts on Tape giving it some synth attack with muster, while the assassin, Robert Hood then delivers the killer blow with the big room techno banger to finish the job.
The Dutch legend that is Jaydee produced some of the most iconic sounds of the emerging acid house scene with the pinnacle the being the epic "Plastic Dreams". Well none other than Maceo Plex has decided to revive some of those classic sounds on his own Ellum label. Being a big fan of the tune "Payback", Mr Plex has given it a spring clean. Not only that we also have the original brilliance of "Pulsate" on the EP as well as Steve Rachmad adding the double Dutch flavour with [...]
The rich musical heritage that runs through Glasgow's DNA has been present in almost every part of the musical spectrum and the city has without doubt had a huge effect on the world of electronic music. From world renowned clubs such as the Sub Club and the Arches to producers and DJ's as different as Slam and Scott Brown , Glasgow has helped shaped the worlds of house, techno and beyond. Glasgow Underground have decided to showcase the cities latest exponents in the field and who [...]
London-based Shenoda has been slowly cranking up the dial with quality releases on Hypercolour and an EP for Losing Suki that was a firm favourite round these parts. His latest outing sees him team up with Huxley's increasingly impressive imprint Saints & Sonnets for the three track "I Feel EP". The title track kicks of proceedings and we're in familiar but friendly territory with a nostalgia tinged house groove working its way around an infectious off beat stab hook and floaty vocal [...]
Manchester-based producer Alex Taylor AKA Morris Cowan had impressed us hugely here at the Labs with previous material for the likes of Super and a great debut album in the shape of 20112s "Circa" . His finest work to date however comes in the shape of "Six Degrees", his second album proper and his first full length offering for Wiglex . From the jangly notes of opener "Forum" to the airy beats of "The Grove" via the 8 bit interludes of "At Sixes...", it's a wonderful journey into the producer's mind with [...]
With an impressive back catalogue of quality production work behind him, it's a real shame that the Dave Clarke doesn't seem to get into the studio as much these days with a hectic DJ schedule to keep him so busy. It'd seem he's about to set that right however as his collaborative project, _Ubsubscribe_ with Mr Jones is starting to take flight with some of their own original material after a stack of great remixes. Neither producer is in need of an introduction and for this, their first [...]
On of the labels grabbing our attention at the moment is Mister Saturday Night , the NYC based outfit and DJ crew of the same name. Starting as promoters and party starters several years ago Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter decided to enter the record label fold and take their party vibe global. Now firmly established as a go-to label with the likes of Anthony Naples on the roster it was maybe a surprise that the latest release came from Dark Sky . There is no mistaking Dark Sky's ability to make party bangers [...]
There's no doubt that Bicep are at the top of their game right now. The Belfast duo's productions are some of the best around and their ability to start a party has made them a must-see act all over the world. While they have inhabited a space in their productions that sits firmly is the house revival camp their DJ sets travel much deeper and further afield into kick ass techno. They return to AUS (no pun intended!) for four track "Stash EP" that not only hits those sweet house notes but [...]
Phuturelabs
MVSCLES- Sweet n Sour
The National
James Blake- A Case of You (Joni Mitchell cover)
Video: Kanye West – Black Skinhead / New Slaves (Live on SNL)
