Roger Martinez is a musician of many faces. A product of the ever reliable Dutch scene, Roger’s sound has mirrored the multi-layered soundscapes of his motherland, with his broad palette of emotive music finding favor amongst the key players in trance, progressive and, most latterly, techno circles. A genuine musician whose use of harmony and melody has earned him releases for many long-standing and highly respected labels including Armada, Vapour and GEM.
‘Get Up’ conveys a musical message as simple and direct as the title itself. A track that demands to be listened to due to the robust and all consuming bass that lies at its core and one that will move you via its soaring, euphoric musicality.
‘Second Sun’ offers more harmonic euphoria, this time arranged around a slower, swinging groove that emphasizes the warm, exhilarated vibe, which alongside Martinez’s intricate embellishments, make it such a bewitching track.
Roger Martinez - Get Up is released 7th May 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
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The UK techno scene has rarely been without new artists pushing the scene forward, but recent times have seen a rash of producers emerge and rise to global notoriety in double-quick fashion. One region that seems to have spawned more than most is UK’s south coast, producing a long lineage of techno acts including 8 Sided Dice founder, Alan Fitzpatrick and fellow stable mates Reset Robot, Chris Colburn, Rich Jones and Bryan Chapman. Now add to that list Jon Gurd. No stranger to notoriety himself, his 2001 ‘The Brotherhood’ track found favour with many, as has his Primal Rhythm label.
Lead track, ‘Electric Love’ see’s Fitzpatrick & Gurd combine to create a deep and twisted cut centred around a distinctive ‘I’m going downtown’ vocal, stabby bass and steady nagging chords; a combination that resounds in the mix, generating a kinetic energy of its own to add to the solid thumping kick. On the flip, ‘Pendulum’ plays its cards straighter, going for a full-force yet linear groove that matches shunting rhythms with pulsing mechanical tones and wobbly background tones. A pumping but powerfully hypnotic track, which combines raw, direct energy and taut, mesmerizing moods.
Alan Fitzpatrick & Jon Gurd - Electric Love is released 7th May 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digital
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Having released his 'Sensory' long-player on Truesoul in February 2011, Joel Mull returns to the label he considers his spiritual home for his first original production of this year. Often described as 'The Techno Soul of Sweden' thanks to his predilection for fusing emotive atmospherics and erudite ambience with the kind of purposeful beats Techno has come to expect from Stockholm's long line of trailblazers; Mull's reputation as a 'producers producer' is well documented. Naturally, those who were seduced by the contrasting emotional highs and lows that defined 'Sensory' will find plenty to enjoy within this rich and balanced two-track EP.
Lead track, 'Running', is a carefully crafted example of Joel Mull's deeper side. Unrushed, deeply groovy and enchanting; harmonic tones ping pong beneath a distinctive vocal lament and bumping tech groove. This is just the kind of track that has made Mull a firm favorite with Panorama Bar's Sunday night long-haulers. 'Track From The Past' subtly picks up the tempo but retains a slow-burning depth and tripped out 'messiness' that flow so naturally from Joel Mull productions. Hypnotic and driving, swirling melodic loops twist and distort into acid-tweaked hooks dotted above lively, muscular grooves of perpetual, upbeat, forward motions.
Joel Mull - Running is released 7th May 2012 on Truesoul via vinyl and digital
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As Ben Sims’ own biography puts it, “if you know techno, you know Ben Sims”. The simple truth behind this statement says it all about a DJ and producer whose standing, as one of the scenes leading exponents, appears to be as evergreen and unshakable as it ever has been in his long an illustrious career. It was then with great pride and much excitement that Drumcode released Ben’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ album in 2011; very much a discography highlight for Drumcode and one of the most significant releases of the year for many others within the techno scene. An album in the true sense of the word, ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ drew critical acclaim from all corners, not least for the retro-future vision with which Sims’ lays out his blueprint for what techno can and should be; proving to those that needed reassurance that Ben Sims is the jack-master of the techno trade.
With the irresistible force of his recent contributions to the label still reverberating strongly throughout all parts of techno and beyond, Drumcode welcome back Ben Sims for another inspirational and incendiary EP of his trademark grooves. Beginning where Ben’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ album left off, Air Rage EP has Sims on serious underground form; laying down punishing party grooves of abrasive, rolling rhythms while making space for splashes of full-force funk and enchanting melodic moments. Sims’ intuitively daring use of these contrasting energies is the source of this EPs intoxicating appeal with examples evident within all four tracks. Whether it is the looping robotic bleeps on The Parade; the funked-up electro stomp of Air Rage; the otherworldly strings in Move In Time or the harmonic bell chimes within Machine Funk.
Ben Sims - Air Rage EP is released 30th April 2012 on Drumcode via vinyl and digital
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Since making a high profile debut on Christian Smith’s Tronic imprint last summer with the Underground Sound Of Lisbon sampling ‘Dust’, Bart Skils has gone on to establish himself as an integral part of Tronic’s label roster alongside Marc Romboy, Dosem and Wehbba. This latest EP see’s Skils change gear once again to deliver two more techno flavored tracks; contrasting with the tech house of ‘Dust’ and the electro-trance fusion of previous release, ‘Hold Your Horses’
‘Walking At My Girl’ is a feverously energetic cut founded on Skils’ rock solid percussion. Snappy, rolling beats and swinging snare fills take their place at the top of the mix while the heavy kick booms in the background to provide a foundation for tense, jittery stabs and pulsing electronic chords to add a more musical dimension and set the stage for the vocoder vocal hook to draw you in.
‘Observer’ keeps the strong percussive theme going, illuminating a tracky and linear groove of tight marching loops and heavy chugging sub-bass with a feel-good chord pattern and uplifting pads that is certain to bring smiles and raise hands on the floor. Simply arranged and subtly executed, the result is a cool underground vibe with plenty of forward momentum and party-starting moments.
Bary Skils - Walking At My Girl is released 23rd April 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
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Originally established as a channel for more alternative material, Adam Beyer’s Truesoul label continues to provide a deeper, left-of-centre alternative to the Swede’s more functional Drumcode output with recent releases such as Joel Mull’s beautifully elegant ‘Sensory’ album, Maetrik’s chart-topping ‘The Entity, Adam Beyer’s Diana Ross (!) sampling ‘No Rain’ and Patrick Siech and Gustav Sollscher’s sonically diverse ‘The Watch Receiver’ EP setting the tone for what is to come as Truesoul continue their push to become one of the go-to labels for fans of deeper techno and edgy tech house in 2012.
The next chapter in Truesoul’s evolving story comes from Marc Antona. With discography highlights that include releases for Mobilee, Highgrade, Micro-Fibers and, most recently, his own Dissonant label, Antona is an already familiar name to followers of quality tech-house and the deeper, groovier side of techno. Impressive career credentials that have been galvanized by Marc’s appearances for Cadenza as part of their Vagabundos tours. With such experience behind the Ibiza-based producer, it comes as no surprise that this EP brings the kind of sunshine sensuality to Truesoul that has come to characterize the soundtrack of dance music’s Mecca with the sultry percussion and understated funk of ‘Gloves Off’ or the perpetual bass groove and twitching rhythm of ‘Darwin’s Corner Stone’.
Marc Antona - Darwin EP is released 16th April 2012 on Truesoul via vinyl and digital
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Originally released on Bushwacka!’s Olmeto Records imprint in June 2011, West Side became an instant anthem last summer. Inspired by the hedonistic euphoria of Ibiza, the original track took the shape of a massive dancefloor weapon with its memorable chord progression and high-impact bass. Now, just in time for this summer season, Tronic have licensed West Side for a special remix package from Christian Smith & Wehbba and Bushwacka!’s new ‘Just Be’ pseudonym.
Around the same time as West Side was destroying main rooms across clubland last summer, the same floors were reverberating to the re-release of Funk D’Void’s classic Diabla; the last remix partnership from Christian Smith & Wehbba. Fans of that track will be similarly seduced by the unashamedly monstrous styling of their West Side remix that pulls no punches in delivering the familiar chord hook in show-stopping style via two crowd-pleasing crescendos.
Bushwacka!’s new production project, Just Be, is set to get tongues wagging and ears twitching in 2012. With releases lined up for Get Physical, Maison D’etre, Plus 8 and Intec Digital, Tronic are proud to be amongst the first to showcase the Just Be sound. The edit of West Side sees Just Be reincarnate his original monster as into a slower burning but equally impactful tech groove that smoothly slips trough the gears before dropping the hammer on the killer hook.
Bushwacka! - West Side Remixes is released 23rd April 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital.
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Some collaborations are just meant to be and this can be said of Bryan Chapman and 8 Sided Dice. If you don’t know Bryan’s music already, then within a few bars you will realize there is more than a passing likeness to the heavy-weight funk that has come to characterize the label and the music of it’s founder, Alan Fitzpatrick. Dig deeper and the connections keep on coming. Not only does Bryan hail from Alan’s hometown of Southampton but, like Fitzpatrick, Chapman was brought to the attention of the wider world by early support from Dubfire, who signed Chapman’s “Echo Vacio” alter-ego in 2011 to Sci+Tec and also championed Fitzpatrick and ESD’s first “hit”, ‘9 Hours Later’
The Irrelevance Of Tomorrow EP consists of three no-nonsense tracks, each big on persona. ‘Box Of Voices’, with its pulsing electronic hook, is bursting with tension as its steady rolling groove is propelled by pacey hi-hats. ‘Amplified Koma’ is a certified weapon with a sinister android vox that distorts over arrangements of mechanical drums, intensifying pads and drawn out peaks and troughs. Finally, ‘Barren Prison’ creates a dizzying sensory mêlée of iridescent melody, jazzy stabs and destructive, pounding beats.
Bryan Chapman - The Irrelevance Of Tomorrow is released 23rs April 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digital.
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Drumcode’s DC Ltd series is home to the seminal label’s more underground material. An outlet for the type of unfussy, primal music that has always been the underlying foundation of techno, but separated from the main brand in a way that is meant to highlight the continued importance of the true underground within a techno scene that has become less defined by it’s roots and more concerned with commercial success. Releasing infrequently and only available on limited edition vinyl, DC Ltd will feature contributions from Drumcode’s roster of artists alongside new signings and re-issues of never-before-on-vinyl Drumcode tracks.
For the next installment in the DC Ltd series, Drumcode present a three-track EP from the Spanish pairing of Psyk and Alberto Pascual; both increasingly familiar names on the circuit thanks to their work for Plus 8, Figure, AnalyticTrail and Sleaze. ‘Ascent’ leads off the EP with what is sure to prove to be a popular combination of upbeat old-school keys and resolute marching beats. ‘Descent’ switches things up, treading heavily through a melancholic soundscape of mechanical stabs and harmonic pads. Finally, ‘Permanent’ dishes up a solid rhythm track interspersed with distinct rising tones phasing in and out of the mix.
Psyk & Alberto Pascual - Ascent is released 9th April 2012 on Drumcode Ltd via vinyl only.
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The recent release of the inaugural episode of H-Production’s Archeology series shone a light on Cari Lekebusch’s discography. The multi-part chain of compilations will explore the techno archeology of H-Production’s artists, delving deep into their back catalogue to unearth long-forgotten and undiscovered examples of their work that were landmarks within their evolution as a producer. Inspired by the warm reception given to this retrospective works, H-Productions now launch a sub-series of EP’s that will take the prize finds from the Archeology sessions and bring those classic tracks up to date with remixes from some of the most well known and respected producers within techno.
For the first installment of H-Productions Rejuvenation series, Cari Lekebusch has handpicked his favorite producers to rework four of the better-known titles from his catalogue. No strangers to unearthing past glories following the Soma 20th anniversary, Slam step up to add a weighty slice of techno heritage to the package, turning in a hypnotic journey of a mix to compliment the otherworldly vibes of the infamous 'Mad Poet'. On the flip of the first vinyl, fellow Hybrid, Nima Khak, takes on ‘Attitydknackaren’ and delivers a brilliantly simple and hugely effective update that is sure to illuminate many after hour sets.
Next come a brace of mixes from recent collaborators with Lekebusch, as two of techno's brightest starts return the complement with modern interpretations of Cari classics. Joseph Capriati stamps his incendiary style on the Rastafarian chanting of ‘Unite’ to create a punchy but subtle rework that pulses with intent as the vox refrain weaves in the mix while Alan Fitzpatrick gets ravey on the iconic 'Steady Motion', originally a limited edition EP for the Japanese market, as he brings his unmistakable heavy funk to the familiar gruff vocal hook.
Cari Lekebusch - Rejuvenations is released 2nd April 2012 on H-Productions via vinyl and digital.
To request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
With dance music as we know it approaching the landmark anniversary of 25 years at the forefront of popular culture, it is hard to imagine a period within that quarter of a century when the scene has been less collaborative than it is now. Any wannabe artist with enough money to afford a powerful computer, good monitors and an acoustically sound studio space can be writer, producer and engineer all rolled into one. Equally, it is increasingly common for record label owners to not only do their own marketing and promotion but also design the artwork and even distribute the final product. It is then perhaps unsurprising that a brand as established as Drumcode, with its deep heritage and history within techno, is actively encouraging a spirit of collaboration amongst it’s artists by bringing together the sum of their creative parts to produce a greater whole. The latest expression of which is this three-track EP by Drumcode founder, Adam Beyer and Joseph Capriati, one of the most exciting talents within the labels production vanguard. From being label mates on Drumcode to becoming studio partners was only a matter of time for Adam Beyer and Joseph Capriati. That time finally came when they found themselves with some downtime in Stockholm following the Drumcode Christmas party. Having shared the DJ booth on many occasions, often playing back-2-back sessions, the pair has proven the musical connection between them is a potent one. Title track, Congenial Endeavor sums up this bond, not just in meaning but also by the resolute yet emotive styling of the content, which treads a line between the playful melodies, and primal rhythms that characterize the music of both producers. Rubicon operates within a similar ballpark, delivering hard for those seeking bombastic techno while also making room for a little cerebral depth via the intricately structured atmospherics. Family Matters provides an alternative angle; slowing the BPM’s, working up a warm, hypnotic bassline and teasing out strings to create a low-slung groover that oozes late-night wonkiness.
Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati - Congenial Endeavor is released 26th March 2012 on Drumcode via vinyl and digital.
To request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.
Since meeting in Berlin during summer of 2011, Christian Smith and Florian Meindl have stuck up a productive studio partnership. Having released their first collaboration - ‘Desire’ - via Meindl’s FLASH imprint in December, this subsequent EP for Tronic sees the duo take their corporation a stage further with a two tracks of slightly left of centre yet unashamedly peak-time tech house.
Mothership leads off the EP with a distinctive retro-electro bassline that builds into the main hook via a series of peaks and drops before taking off into a tweaked crescendo of high-pitched tones. Red Alert opts for a subtler approach, creating its simple but effective groove from jacking percussion and wobbly synth stabs, which pulse throughout, morphing to distorting and echoing in the break.
Christian Smith & Florian Meindl - Mothership is released 20th March 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital.
To request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Positioned as lesser-known ‘little brother’ to Adam Beyer’s globally renowned Drumcode brand, Truesoul has to varying extent existed in the shadows since its conception in 2002. Never designed to be a label that you could set your watch by, releases have come sporadically over the past nine years, albeit when they have come they have always made an impact. Notable examples include much of Beyer’s most recent material including his last studio album, Ignition Key; experimental work from Cari Lekebusch, Joel Mull, Dustin Zahn and Nihad Tule; and contributions from Cirez D, Steve Rachmad and Ida Engberg.
Originally established as a channel for more alternative material, Adam Beyer’s Truesoul label continues to provide a deeper, left-of-centre alternative to the Swede’s more functional Drumcode output with recent releases such as Joel Mull’s beautifully elegant ‘Sensory’ album, Maetrik’s chart-topping ‘The Entity’ EP and Adam Beyer’s Diana Ross (!) sampling ‘No Rain’ setting the tone for what is to come as Truesoul makes a push to become more visible to fans of deeper techno and edgy tech house throughout 2012.
Patrick Siech & Gustav Söllscher come together for Truesoul’s latest exploration into the deeper realms of techno. Collaborators since 2004, much of the pair’s earlier cooperation’s focused on the raw dynamics of Acid and Chicago House. The roots of this natural, free-flowing, open-minded approach can be heard both in terms of the simplicity of the sounds employed and the variety of moods covered on The Watch Receiver EP. Compiled throughout 2010 and 2011, the overall feel of the EP focuses on hypnotic soundscapes and drawn out arrangements exemplified by the deep space elasticity of Carrier Wave; the haunting, glitchy grooves of 14MHz; Siech’s own Number Nine cut with its cavernous sounding delayed chords; and the rolling, mystical deepness of Flogiston.
Patrick Siech & Gustav Söllscher - The Watch Receiver EP is released 12th March 2012 on Truesoul via vinyl and digital
Under the stewardship of Alan Fitzpatrick, 8 Sided Dice Recordings continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent techno labels via a steady stream of well-received releases. The label operates as both a home for high profile artists and an outlet for emerging talent; striking a balance between output from Fitzpatrick and his contemporaries including contributions from Rich Jones, Chris Colburn, ON/OFF, Harvey McKay, Hans Bouffmyhre and Nicole Moudaber.
Established in 2008 as a vehicle for Alan Fitzpatrick to release his own music, 8 Sided Dice has evolved on an impressive trajectory in line with Fitzpatrick’s own career. Recognised as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from UK in recent times, Fitzpatrick’s brand of infectious, modern techno has propelled him towards the upper echelons of the scene and has encouraged an impressive mixture of established and new talent gravitate towards 8 Sided Dice as a label.
As one of the bright new talents who have featured so heavily on the 8 Sided Dice since February 2010, Rich Jones ’s slick, intricate compositions ooze the dynamic grooves and atmospheric moments that 8 Sided Dice is known for. Having originally surfaced on the in October, Rich’s Shadow Lands EP was met with praise from both new school and established tastemakers alike. This common appeal is reflected in the choice of remixers, as pioneer and legend, Joey Beltram, makes an appearance alongside the rising British talent, Jon Gurd.
Picking up on the enchanting, bleepy melody of Asshai, Beltram recycles his own tuneful hook that rides seamlessly over a tight, funk-laced groove; providing the contrasting solid foundation with granite beats and resounding, pulsing bass. Jon Gurd’s rework of Below takes the spacious, percussive feel of the original but strips away the widescreen drama; instead opting to tone down the tension to create a smouldering rhythm that raises intensity gently, but intently, throughout.
Rich Jones - Shadow Lands EP Remixed is released 12th March 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digital
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.
The ongoing game of producer ping-pong between Christian Smith and Marc Romboy continues with this latest match up happening on home soil for Tronic. The pattern began with Romboy’s ‘The Overture’, which surfaced on Smith’s Tronic label last March together with a stunning Egbert remix.
The rematch came in the form of Christian Smith’s end-of-night smash ‘Pitanga’ on Systematic, which topped the Beatport techno, chart over the end of summer 2011. With the score at 1-1 it is apt that the two long-established tech heavyweights put aside their competitive streak and instead collaborate on this release with Smith remixing Romboy’s fist-punching nu-school raver, ‘Feelin’.
Marc Romboy - Feelin' is released 5th March 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
Having completed a landmark year in 2011 with the labels 15 Year anniversary celebrations that including a 12-date club tour and 28 track various artist compilation album, Drumcode gets back to the future in 2012 with a busy schedule of releases and events. Followers of Drumcode over recent times will recognize some familiar names within the schedule new with projects scheduled from Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati, Alan Fitzpatrick, Kaiserdisco, Sam Paganini and Ben Sims; whose ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ album was one of 2011’s highlights for Drumcode and for many in the techno scene
2011 was the year Alan Fitzpatrick completed the transition to become a globally recognized talent. Having enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks since emerging as the new kid on the block in the latter half of 2008, Fitzpatrick now commands a status as a highly respected and in-demand producer. His consistent output of high quality releases for Drumcode, including 2011’s ‘Human Reason’ collaboration with Adam Beyer, hit the mark with DJs across the techno spectrum; leaving observers with no doubt as to Fitzpatrick’s credentials as one of the leading techno artists of the moment.
Alan Fitzpatrick’s latest EP is the product of a particularly productive six months of studio time for the Drumcode regular. Containing five tracks that cover a circular range from pre-party ambiance to tripped-out melodic odyssey; vocal laced, chord driven hooks; barnstorming peak-time hammers; and 123bm afterparty grooves; there is more than the ‘usual’ Drumcode fare on offer within the aptly named ‘Life Through Different Eyes’ EP. A significant release for artist and label; the sonic incarnation of Fitzpatrick’s growing maturity as a producer and an indication as to the next evolution of the Drumcode sound.
Alan Fitzpatrick - Life Through Different Eyes is released 5th March 2012 on Drumcode via vinyl and digital
Under the stewardship of Alan Fitzpatrick, 8 Sided Dice Recordings continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent techno labels via a steady stream of well-received releases. The label operates as both a home for high profile artists and an outlet for emerging talent; striking a balance between output from Fitzpatrick and his contemporaries including contributions from Rich Jones, Chris Colburn, ON/OFF, Harvey McKay, Hans Bouffmyhre and Nicole Moudaber.
Established in 2008 as a vehicle for Alan Fitzpatrick to release his own music, 8 Sided Dice has evolved on an impressive trajectory in line with Fitzpatrick’s own career. Recognised as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from UK in recent times, Fitzpatrick’s brand of infectious, modern techno has propelled him towards the upper echelons of the scene and has encouraged an impressive mixture of established and new talent gravitate towards 8 Sided Dice as a label.
A permanent fixture on 8 Sided Dice in the last 18 months, Chris Colburn’s abrasive techno has made a big impact on Alan Fitzpatrick’s label. This latest installment in an impressive run of EP’s see’s Colburn drop three more classic sounding cuts; Wide Awake (jacking, Detroit-inspired minimalism), Whipped (pounding, funky groove) and Never Gonna Stop Again (sparse, spacey vibes)
Having asked to remix ‘Wide Awake’ after receiving the track directly from Chris, Rebekah showed just how much she liked the track by delivering two remixes. Her Fully Awake remix is typical of the no-nonsense ‘heads-down’ style that has earned Rebekah’s previous work plaudits from Adam Beyer and Chris Leibing, while the Half Asleep mix reworks the original stab pattern to deep hypnotic effect.
Chris Colburn - Wide Awake EP is released 20th February 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digital
Very much the lesser-known ʻlittle brotherʼ to Adam Beyerʼs globally renowned Drumcode brand, Truesoul has to varying extent existed in the shadows since its conception in 2002. Never designed to be a label that you could set your watch by, releases have come sporadically over the past nine years, albeit when they have come they have always made an impact. Notable examples include much of Beyerʼs most recent material including his last studio album, Ignition Key; experimental work from Cari Lekebusch, Joel Mull, Dustin Zahn and Nihad Tule; and contributions from Cirez D, Steve Rachmad and Ida Engberg.
Originally established as a channel for more alternative material, Adam Beyerʼs Truesoul label continues to provide a deeper, left-of-centre alternative to the Swedeʼs more functional Drumcode output with recent releases such as Joel Mullʼs beautifully elegantʻSensoryʼ album, Maetrikʼs chart-topping ʻThe Entityʼ EP and Adam Beyerʼs Diana Ross (!) sampling ʻNo Rainʼ setting the tone for what is to come as Truesoul makes a push to become more visible to fans of deeper techno and edgy tech house throughout 2012.
Reset Robot returns to Truesoul with another four-track EP of smoldering rhythms and wonky deepness that can be categorized as belonging somewhere between techno and tech house. The product of an extended period of A&R ʻping-pongʼ, the result is a collection of tracks that has to a great extent tailored the natural range of Reset Robotʼs sound to the requirements of Beyerʼs vision for Truesoul. Mechanical but groovy; moody but danceable; all four tracks have the subtle energy and intricate details required to move the floor whether it be as part of a tone-setting opening set or late on at the after-hour.
Reset Robot - Count Clown is released 13th February 2012 on Truesoul via vinyl and digital
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.
Following bombs from Christian Smith and Dosem in January, Tronic welcome Jay Lumen on board for a debut for Smith’s bourgeoning label. Having been a consistent supporter of Jay’s recent output for Great Stuff, Form, Mistakes Music and 100% Pure, it was a priority for Christian to sign a Lumen release ASAP and so it is with great excitement that Tronic present his Babel EP so early in 2012.
Whatever You Want kicks off this two-track EP, setting a percussive feel and deep intensity to create a low-slung groove of shunting beats and floor-shaking sub-bass tones that contrasts with the shimmering melodic hypnosis in the break.
Babel counters with an up-tempo, percussive workout that draws its diverse elements from a melting pot of sampling delights. Unintelligible garbled speech, Arabian horns, deliciously off-kilter bass notes – this has it all!
Jay Lumen - Babel is released 13th February 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
With techno currently enjoying a peak in popularity it is all too easy to get caught up in the clamor for what is new and next. Who is the latest star producer to emerge as the leader of the pack? What boundary-blurred sub-genre is currently hot for the tastemaker DJ elite? Which label will be next to be showered with plaudits for forging a path at the vanguard of scene? Where will be the next location to be home to nomadic artists and branded as the new Mecca of techno? In amongst this frenzied crystal ball gazing most observers, consumers, critics and commentators have their eyes an ears so firmly fixed on the horizon that they seldom have chance to reflect on the history of those producers who have been integral in the development of techno over the previous twenty years.
Inspired by a desire to retrace the steps that led to the current musical alignment of the producers assembled on their label roster, Cari Lekebusch’s H-Productions have commissioned an eight part series of compilations that will explore the techno archeology of their artists. Each collection will delve deep into their back catalogue, unearthing long-forgotten and undiscovered examples of their work and tracks from other producers that were landmarks within their own evolution. Lovingly compiled and carefully constructed, H-Productions Archeology Excavations series will describe the story of how each producer made their journey from then to now; documenting the tracks each artist feels were instrumental in shaping their own history within techno music.
H-Productions have been releasing their distinctive brand of ever-so-slightly left-of-centre techno since 1994 with Lekebusch’s own discography dating back even further. This compilation brings together nineteen tracks from the early years of Lekebusch’s distinguished career with releases dating back to 1992. In addition to landmark Lekebusch productions such as Mad Poet, Ej Till Forsaljning and Unite there are many tracks produced under Lekebusch’s Fred, Mr. Barth, Crushed Insect and Rubberneck aliases plus collaborative works with Jesper Dahlbäck (Drumtravellers), Ron Maney and Gene Hunt; all of which were originally released on cult techno imprints like SVEK, Missile, and Proper N.Y.C, or re-mastered/unreleased projects H-Productions archive.
Cari Lekebusch - Archeology Exc.1 is released 13th February 2012 on H-Productions via vinyl and digital
Having completed a landmark year in 2011 with the labels 15 Year anniversary celebrations, which including a 12-date club tour and compilation album, Drumcode gets back to the future in 2012 with a busy schedule of releases and event. Those who have followed Drumcode over recent times will recognize some familiar names with new projects scheduled from Alan Fitzpatrick, Joseph Capriati, Kaiserdisco and Ben Sims, whose ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ debut album was one of 2011ʼs highlights; not just for Drumcode but for the whole techno scene.
With a discography made up of labels as wide ranging as 100% Pure, Global Underground and Drumcode it is tempting to describe Kaiserdisco as musical chameleons. Indefinitely adaptable, highly developed deliverers of exactly what is needed at exactly the right time. This definition is certainly apt when it comes to the duos output for Drumcode; such is the niche that Kaiserdisco have carved out for themselves via their previous tracks for the label. Even a eye-opening switch up in the toughness of their beats on La Patagonia EP didn’t stop Adam Beyer from immediately falling for this latest double-barrel blast of pacey techno funk.
An overwhelmingly positive time spent touring Argentina and Chile was the inspiration for the title of Kaiserdisco’s latest two-tracker for Drumcode and with a little imagination it is not hard to hear where the South American vibes seep into the tracks to give them their distinct flavour. La Boca brings a rolling hypo-funk with a stuttering riff and jazzy keys managing to remain mischievous and driving at the same time while Aymara heads a little deep, drawing out an underlying dark tribalism via multi layered percussion and enchanting Shamanic sub-bass.
Kaisderdisco - La Patagonia EP is released 13th February 2012 on Drumcode via vinyl and digital
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.
Having just compiled the Tronic Treatment 2012 mix compilation for Christian Smiths flourishing imprint, there can be few artists who are more familiar with the label recent catalogue than Dosem. It comes as little surprised then that the Spaniard hits the target of what you would expect from a Tronic EP dead centre.
Riding the line between tech and progressive house, Tales Of Tomorrow comes firing out of the blocks with an infectious, rolling percussive groove and epic but building pads which grown through slow, pulsing loops to morph into an intricate arrangement; layered with a seductive siren riff that weaves within the mix as the rhythm track drops in and out to provide maximum dancefloor dynamics.
Spiral Attraction, originally released as an ‘album-only’ track on Dosem’s Tronic Treatment 2012 mix, maintains the vibe laid out by the a-side with the main hook created out of a combination of building pads and huge sweeping chords. Playing on the power of contrasting energies, the track pushes the euphoric heights at its peak, but returns you gradually back down to earth via a slamming tech groove.
Dosem - Tales Of Tomorrow is released 30th January 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
Under the stewardship of Alan Fitzpatrick, 8 Sided Dice Recordings continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent techno labels via a steady stream of well-received releases. The label operates as both a home for high profile artists and an outlet for emerging talent; striking a balance between output from Fitzpatrick and his contemporaries including contributions from Rich Jones, Chris Colburn, ON/OFF, Harvey McKay, Hans Bouffmyhre and Nicole Moudaber.
Established in 2008 as a vehicle for Alan Fitzpatrick to release his own music, 8 Sided Dice has evolved on an impressive trajectory in line with Fitzpatrick’s own career. Recognised as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from UK in recent times, Fitzpatrick’s brand of infectious, modern techno has propelled him towards the upper echelons of the scene and has encouraged an impressive mixture of established and new talent gravitate towards 8 Sided Dice as a label.
Having accumulated nearly forty releases over the last three and a half years, the time has come to indulge in a retrospective look back at the labels release highlights. In true 8 Sided Dice style; the task of compiling and mixing the compilation has been awarded to Rich Jones - one of the bright new talents who have featured so heavily on the label. Rich’s slick, intricate compositions ooze the dynamic grooves and atmospheric moments that 8 Sided Dice is known for.
From the 96 tracks released on the label to November 2011, Rich Jones has selected 23 that for him best represent the story of the label so far. Kicking off with the rolling percussive grooves of tech house flavoured cuts from Nicole Moudaber and Reset Robot the mix moves through heavier sounds from Dustin Zahn, Harvey McKay and Chris Colburn and ends up with the steam-rolling beats and ever-so-slightly off centre melodies of Mikael Jonnasson, Hans Bouffmyhre, Rich Jones and Alan Fitzpatrick to deliver 88 minutes of 8 Sided Dice techno.
Best Of 8 Sided Dice is released 30th January 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via digital
To request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com.
The lesser-known ‘little brother’ to Adam Beyer’s globally renownedDrumcode brand, Truesoul has to varying extent existed in the shadows since itsconception in 2002. Never designed to be a label that you could set your watchby, releases have come sporadically over the past nine years, albeit when theyhave come they have always made an impact. Notable examples include much ofBeyer’s most recent material including his last studio album, Ignition Key;experimental work from Cari Lekebusch, Joel Mull, Dustin Zahn and Nihad Tule;and contributions from Cirez D, Steve Rachmad and Ida Engberg.
Originally established as a channel for more alternative material, Truesoul continues toprovide the deeper, left-of-centre yang to Drumcode’s more mainstreamfunctionality. Recent releases have set the tone for what to expect with JoelMull’s beautifully elegant ‘Sensory’ album sitting alongside releases fromMaetrik, Reset Robot and Adam Beyer. Indeed, the final quarter of 2011witnessed a noticeable upping of the ante with the label releasing an EP amonth; a pattern that is set to continue throughout 2012 as Truesoul makes apush to become more visible to fans of deeper techno and edgy tech house.
Alex Caytas and Aleks Patzmake their debut on Truesoul with a deeply hypnotic and darkly flavored cut,‘Are You Afraid’; pairing a rolling groove with shadowy suspense-laden brassand ominous sounding vocals to create a distinctive late-night mood changer.The remix selection makes for an all-Swedish line up with Nihad Tule (whoscouted Caytas & Patz to Adam Beyer) and Joel Mull (who has been a fan ofthe track since being sent it a year ago). Tule creates a rougher version;using a harsh kick and dynamic percussion to toughen things up while Mull’s DubEdit stays closer to the deepness of the original but injects flavor via gruffbass, tense pads and a mind-warping vocal re-arrangement.
Caytas & Patz - Are You Afraid is released 23rd January 2012 on Truesoul via vinyl and digital
Having released D-Nox & Beckers ‘Distance’ album in May 2011, Christian Smith’s Tronic label have assembled an impressive cast of talent for this two-part remix package which will bridge the labels release schedule as 2011 ends and 2012 begins. Bringing together names from techno, tech house and progressive, this collection of reworks not only reflects the broad music styling of the original album but also embodies the wide genre range across which Tronic has come to operate as it seamlessly blends deep, tough, melodic and percussive flavours.
Part Two of the remix collection ups the ante a notch or two with eye widening reworks from four of the most respected producers of 2011. Bushwacka! leads off the charge, fresh from his headline grabbing work for Plus 8 and Intec, to give You Are a shuffling, deep bass twist. Santos delivers a tense and energetic rework of Follow Me, bristling with percussive sexiness and exotic chants. Bedrock’s Guy J works up his magic with a deep and dream like version of I Will Rise. While Uto Karem shows exactly why he has been one of the most hyped names of the year with his remix of What I Have. There is also space for a re-issue of Christian Smith’s remix of My Voice as well as an alternative dub version of Dustin Zahn’s remix of Sunner.
D-Nox & Beckers - Distance Remixes: Part Two is released 16th January 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
Roger Martinez is a musician of many faces. A product of the ever reliable Dutch scene, Roger’s sound has mirrored the multi-layered soundscapes of his motherland, with his broad palette of emotive music finding favor amongst the key players in trance, progressive and, most latterly, techno circles. A genuine musician whose use of harmony and melody has earned him releases for many long-standing and highly respected labels including Armada, Vapour and GEM.‘Get Up’ conveys a musical message as simple and direct as the title itself. A track that demands to be listened to due to the robust and all consuming bass that lies at its core and one that will move you via its soaring, euphoric musicality.‘Second Sun’ offers more harmonic euphoria, this time arranged around a slower, swinging groove that emphasizes the warm, exhilarated vibe, which alongside Martinez’s intricate embellishments, make it such a bewitching track.Roger Martinez - Get Up is released 7th May 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
The UK techno scene has rarely been without new artists pushing the scene forward, but recent times have seen a rash of producers emerge and rise to global notoriety in double-quick fashion. One region that seems to have spawned more than most is UK’s south coast, producing a long lineage of techno acts including 8 Sided Dice founder, Alan Fitzpatrick and fellow stable mates Reset Robot, Chris Colburn, Rich Jones and Bryan Chapman. Now add to that list Jon Gurd. No stranger to notoriety himself, his 2001 ‘The Brotherhood’ track found favour with many, as has his Primal Rhythm label.Lead track, ‘Electric Love’ see’s Fitzpatrick & Gurd combine to create a deep and twisted cut centred around a distinctive ‘I’m going downtown’ vocal, stabby bass and steady nagging chords; a combination that resounds in the mix, generating a kinetic energy of its own to add to the solid thumping kick. On the flip, ‘Pendulum’ plays its cards straighter, going for a full-force yet linear groove that matches shunting rhythms with pulsing mechanical tones and wobbly background tones. A pumping but powerfully hypnotic track, which combines raw, direct energy and taut, mesmerizing moods.Alan Fitzpatrick & Jon Gurd - Electric Love is released 7th May 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Having released his 'Sensory' long-player on Truesoul in February 2011, Joel Mull returns to the label he considers his spiritual home for his first original production of this year. Often described as 'The Techno Soul of Sweden' thanks to his predilection for fusing emotive atmospherics and erudite ambience with the kind of purposeful beats Techno has come to expect from Stockholm's long line of trailblazers; Mull's reputation as a 'producers producer' is well documented. Naturally, those who were seduced by the contrasting emotional highs and lows that defined 'Sensory' will find plenty to enjoy within this rich and balanced two-track EP.
As Ben Sims’ own biography puts it, “if you know techno, you know Ben Sims”. The simple truth behind this statement says it all about a DJ and producer whose standing, as one of the scenes leading exponents, appears to be as evergreen and unshakable as it ever has been in his long an illustrious career. It was then with great pride and much excitement that Drumcode released Ben’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ album in 2011; very much a discography highlight for Drumcode and one of the most significant releases of the year for many others within the techno scene. An album in the true sense of the word, ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ drew critical acclaim from all corners, not least for the retro-future vision with which Sims’ lays out his blueprint for what techno can and should be; proving to those that needed reassurance that Ben Sims is the jack-master of the techno trade.With the irresistible force of his recent contributions to the label still reverberating strongly throughout all parts of techno and beyond, Drumcode welcome back Ben Sims for another inspirational and incendiary EP of his trademark grooves. Beginning where Ben’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ album left off, Air Rage EP has Sims on serious underground form; laying down punishing party grooves of abrasive, rolling rhythms while making space for splashes of full-force funk and enchanting melodic moments. Sims’ intuitively daring use of these contrasting energies is the source of this EPs intoxicating appeal with examples evident within all four tracks. Whether it is the looping robotic bleeps on The Parade; the funked-up electro stomp of Air Rage; the otherworldly strings in Move In Time or the harmonic bell chimes within Machine Funk.Ben Sims - Air Rage EP is released 30th April 2012 on Drumcode via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Since making a high profile debut on Christian Smith’s Tronic imprint last summer with the Underground Sound Of Lisbon sampling ‘Dust’, Bart Skils has gone on to establish himself as an integral part of Tronic’s label roster alongside Marc Romboy, Dosem and Wehbba. This latest EP see’s Skils change gear once again to deliver two more techno flavored tracks; contrasting with the tech house of ‘Dust’ and the electro-trance fusion of previous release, ‘Hold Your Horses’‘Walking At My Girl’ is a feverously energetic cut founded on Skils’ rock solid percussion. Snappy, rolling beats and swinging snare fills take their place at the top of the mix while the heavy kick booms in the background to provide a foundation for tense, jittery stabs and pulsing electronic chords to add a more musical dimension and set the stage for the vocoder vocal hook to draw you in.‘Observer’ keeps the strong percussive theme going, illuminating a tracky and linear groove of tight marching loops and heavy chugging sub-bass with a feel-good chord pattern and uplifting pads that is certain to bring smiles and raise hands on the floor. Simply arranged and subtly executed, the result is a cool underground vibe with plenty of forward momentum and party-starting moments.Bary Skils - Walking At My Girl is released 23rd April 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Originally established as a channel for more alternative material, Adam Beyer’s Truesoul label continues to provide a deeper, left-of-centre alternative to the Swede’s more functional Drumcode output with recent releases such as Joel Mull’s beautifully elegant ‘Sensory’ album, Maetrik’s chart-topping ‘The Entity, Adam Beyer’s Diana Ross (!) sampling ‘No Rain’ and Patrick Siech and Gustav Sollscher’s sonically diverse ‘The Watch Receiver’ EP setting the tone for what is to come as Truesoul continue their push to become one of the go-to labels for fans of deeper techno and edgy tech house in 2012.
Originally released on Bushwacka!’s Olmeto Records imprint in June 2011, West Side became an instant anthem last summer. Inspired by the hedonistic euphoria of Ibiza, the original track took the shape of a massive dancefloor weapon with its memorable chord progression and high-impact bass. Now, just in time for this summer season, Tronic have licensed West Side for a special remix package from Christian Smith & Wehbba and Bushwacka!’s new ‘Just Be’ pseudonym.
Some collaborations are just meant to be and this can be said of Bryan Chapman and 8 Sided Dice. If you don’t know Bryan’s music already, then within a few bars you will realize there is more than a passing likeness to the heavy-weight funk that has come to characterize the label and the music of it’s founder, Alan Fitzpatrick. Dig deeper and the connections keep on coming. Not only does Bryan hail from Alan’s hometown of Southampton but, like Fitzpatrick, Chapman was brought to the attention of the wider world by early support from Dubfire, who signed Chapman’s “Echo Vacio” alter-ego in 2011 to Sci+Tec and also championed Fitzpatrick and ESD’s first “hit”, ‘9 Hours Later’
The recent release of the inaugural episode of H-Production’s Archeology series shone a light on Cari Lekebusch’s discography. The multi-part chain of compilations will explore the techno archeology of H-Production’s artists, delving deep into their back catalogue to unearth long-forgotten and undiscovered examples of their work that were landmarks within their evolution as a producer. Inspired by the warm reception given to this retrospective works, H-Productions now launch a sub-series of EP’s that will take the prize finds from the Archeology sessions and bring those classic tracks up to date with remixes from some of the most well known and respected producers within techno.For the first installment of H-Productions Rejuvenation series, Cari Lekebusch has handpicked his favorite producers to rework four of the better-known titles from his catalogue. No strangers to unearthing past glories following the Soma 20th anniversary, Slam step up to add a weighty slice of techno heritage to the package, turning in a hypnotic journey of a mix to compliment the otherworldly vibes of the infamous 'Mad Poet'. On the flip of the first vinyl, fellow Hybrid, Nima Khak, takes on ‘Attitydknackaren’ and delivers a brilliantly simple and hugely effective update that is sure to illuminate many after hour sets.Next come a brace of mixes from recent collaborators with Lekebusch, as two of techno's brightest starts return the complement with modern interpretations of Cari classics. Joseph Capriati stamps his incendiary style on the Rastafarian chanting of ‘Unite’ to create a punchy but subtle rework that pulses with intent as the vox refrain weaves in the mix while Alan Fitzpatrick gets ravey on the iconic 'Steady Motion', originally a limited edition EP for the Japanese market, as he brings his unmistakable heavy funk to the familiar gruff vocal hook.Cari Lekebusch - Rejuvenations is released 2nd April 2012 on H-Productions via vinyl and digital.
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.Since meeting in Berlin during summer of 2011, Christian Smith and Florian Meindl have stuck up a productive studio partnership. Having released their first collaboration - ‘Desire’ - via Meindl’s FLASH imprint in December, this subsequent EP for Tronic sees the duo take their corporation a stage further with a two tracks of slightly left of centre yet unashamedly peak-time tech house.Mothership leads off the EP with a distinctive retro-electro bassline that builds into the main hook via a series of peaks and drops before taking off into a tweaked crescendo of high-pitched tones. Red Alert opts for a subtler approach, creating its simple but effective groove from jacking percussion and wobbly synth stabs, which pulse throughout, morphing to distorting and echoing in the break.Christian Smith & Florian Meindl - Mothership is released 20th March 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital.To request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com
Positioned as lesser-known ‘little brother’ to Adam Beyer’s globally renowned Drumcode brand, Truesoul has to varying extent existed in the shadows since its conception in 2002. Never designed to be a label that you could set your watch by, releases have come sporadically over the past nine years, albeit when they have come they have always made an impact. Notable examples include much of Beyer’s most recent material including his last studio album, Ignition Key; experimental work from Cari Lekebusch, Joel Mull, Dustin Zahn and Nihad Tule; and contributions from Cirez D, Steve Rachmad and Ida Engberg.
Under the stewardship of Alan Fitzpatrick, 8 Sided Dice Recordings continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent techno labels via a steady stream of well-received releases. The label operates as both a home for high profile artists and an outlet for emerging talent; striking a balance between output from Fitzpatrick and his contemporaries including contributions from Rich Jones, Chris Colburn, ON/OFF, Harvey McKay, Hans Bouffmyhre and Nicole Moudaber.
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.The ongoing game of producer ping-pong between Christian Smith and Marc Romboy continues with this latest match up happening on home soil for Tronic. The pattern began with Romboy’s ‘The Overture’, which surfaced on Smith’s Tronic label last March together with a stunning Egbert remix.The rematch came in the form of Christian Smith’s end-of-night smash ‘Pitanga’ on Systematic, which topped the Beatport techno, chart over the end of summer 2011. With the score at 1-1 it is apt that the two long-established tech heavyweights put aside their competitive streak and instead collaborate on this release with Smith remixing Romboy’s fist-punching nu-school raver, ‘Feelin’.Marc Romboy - Feelin' is released 5th March 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com.
Having completed a landmark year in 2011 with the labels 15 Year anniversary celebrations that including a 12-date club tour and 28 track various artist compilation album, Drumcode gets back to the future in 2012 with a busy schedule of releases and events. Followers of Drumcode over recent times will recognize some familiar names within the schedule new with projects scheduled from Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati, Alan Fitzpatrick, Kaiserdisco, Sam Paganini and Ben Sims; whose ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ album was one of 2011’s highlights for Drumcode and for many in the techno scene
Under the stewardship of Alan Fitzpatrick, 8 Sided Dice Recordings continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent techno labels via a steady stream of well-received releases. The label operates as both a home for high profile artists and an outlet for emerging talent; striking a balance between output from Fitzpatrick and his contemporaries including contributions from Rich Jones, Chris Colburn, ON/OFF, Harvey McKay, Hans Bouffmyhre and Nicole Moudaber.Established in 2008 as a vehicle for Alan Fitzpatrick to release his own music, 8 Sided Dice has evolved on an impressive trajectory in line with Fitzpatrick’s own career. Recognised as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from UK in recent times, Fitzpatrick’s brand of infectious, modern techno has propelled him towards the upper echelons of the scene and has encouraged an impressive mixture of established and new talent gravitate towards 8 Sided Dice as a label.A permanent fixture on 8 Sided Dice in the last 18 months, Chris Colburn’s abrasive techno has made a big impact on Alan Fitzpatrick’s label. This latest installment in an impressive run of EP’s see’s Colburn drop three more classic sounding cuts; Wide Awake (jacking, Detroit-inspired minimalism), Whipped (pounding, funky groove) and Never Gonna Stop Again (sparse, spacey vibes)Having asked to remix ‘Wide Awake’ after receiving the track directly from Chris, Rebekah showed just how much she liked the track by delivering two remixes. Her Fully Awake remix is typical of the no-nonsense ‘heads-down’ style that has earned Rebekah’s previous work plaudits from Adam Beyer and Chris Leibing, while the Half Asleep mix reworks the original stab pattern to deep hypnotic effect.Chris Colburn - Wide Awake EP is released 20th February 2012 on 8 Sided Dice via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com.
Very much the lesser-known ʻlittle brotherʼ to Adam Beyerʼs globally renowned Drumcode brand, Truesoul has to varying extent existed in the shadows since its conception in 2002. Never designed to be a label that you could set your watch by, releases have come sporadically over the past nine years, albeit when they have come they have always made an impact. Notable examples include much of Beyerʼs most recent material including his last studio album, Ignition Key; experimental work from Cari Lekebusch, Joel Mull, Dustin Zahn and Nihad Tule; and contributions from Cirez D, Steve Rachmad and Ida Engberg.
Christian Smith’s Tronic label enjoyed a fantastic year in 2011; persistently receiving plaudits from the media, scene tastemakers and the record buying public for the labels consistently first-rate output that consisted of a genre-blurring mixture of tech house and progressive flavoured techno floor-smashing grooves.Following bombs from Christian Smith and Dosem in January, Tronic welcome Jay Lumen on board for a debut for Smith’s bourgeoning label. Having been a consistent supporter of Jay’s recent output for Great Stuff, Form, Mistakes Music and 100% Pure, it was a priority for Christian to sign a Lumen release ASAP and so it is with great excitement that Tronic present his Babel EP so early in 2012.Whatever You Want kicks off this two-track EP, setting a percussive feel and deep intensity to create a low-slung groove of shunting beats and floor-shaking sub-bass tones that contrasts with the shimmering melodic hypnosis in the break.Babel counters with an up-tempo, percussive workout that draws its diverse elements from a melting pot of sampling delights. Unintelligible garbled speech, Arabian horns, deliciously off-kilter bass notes – this has it all!Jay Lumen - Babel is released 13th February 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digitalTo request more information or full length MP3 files, email promo@wearebigfoot.com.
With techno currently enjoying a peak in popularity it is all too easy to get caught up in the clamor for what is new and next. Who is the latest star producer to emerge as the leader of the pack? What boundary-blurred sub-genre is currently hot for the tastemaker DJ elite? Which label will be next to be showered with plaudits for forging a path at the vanguard of scene? Where will be the next location to be home to nomadic artists and branded as the new Mecca of techno? In amongst this frenzied crystal ball gazing most observers, consumers, critics and commentators have their eyes an ears so firmly fixed on the horizon that they seldom have chance to reflect on the history of those producers who have been integral in the development of techno over the previous twenty years.
Having completed a landmark year in 2011 with the labels 15 Year anniversary celebrations, which including a 12-date club tour and compilation album, Drumcode gets back to the future in 2012 with a busy schedule of releases and event. Those who have followed Drumcode over recent times will recognize some familiar names with new projects scheduled from Alan Fitzpatrick, Joseph Capriati, Kaiserdisco and Ben Sims, whose ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ debut album was one of 2011ʼs highlights; not just for Drumcode but for the whole techno scene.
Having released D-Nox & Beckers ‘Distance’ album in May 2011, Christian Smith’s Tronic label have assembled an impressive cast of talent for this two-part remix package which will bridge the labels release schedule as 2011 ends and 2012 begins. Bringing together names from techno, tech house and progressive, this collection of reworks not only reflects the broad music styling of the original album but also embodies the wide genre range across which Tronic has come to operate as it seamlessly blends deep, tough, melodic and percussive flavours.Part Two of the remix collection ups the ante a notch or two with eye widening reworks from four of the most respected producers of 2011. Bushwacka! leads off the charge, fresh from his headline grabbing work for Plus 8 and Intec, to give You Are a shuffling, deep bass twist. Santos delivers a tense and energetic rework of Follow Me, bristling with percussive sexiness and exotic chants. Bedrock’s Guy J works up his magic with a deep and dream like version of I Will Rise. While Uto Karem shows exactly why he has been one of the most hyped names of the year with his remix of What I Have. There is also space for a re-issue of Christian Smith’s remix of My Voice as well as an alternative dub version of Dustin Zahn’s remix of Sunner.D-Nox & Beckers - Distance Remixes: Part Two is released 16th January 2012 on Tronic via vinyl and digital
