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Echologist – Just A Ride (Original Mix) [DUB TECHNO]

Echologist - Just A Ride (Original Mix) [DUB TECHNO] Dropping in 2010 on his own Steadfast label Exhologist's 'Just A Ride' is as atmospheric as a Dub Techno track can come.

Echologist – Just A Ride

Fuse London’s notoriety is the result of not only its parties, but also a defined brand of Minimal and Deep House that will certainly be a catalyst for those who wanting harder but just as dubby. Though Dub Techno seems to have hit the same cannibalisation peak that Tech House had allegedly experienced in the late 1990’s (with many releases copying the Basic Channel formula), two producers still fly the flag with dazzling dexterity. Deepchord, and South African producer Brendon Moeller, also known by his Beat Pharmacy or Echologist aliases. Moeller first released under these monikers due to Francois K’s Deep Space Media and Third Ear Recordings paying good money in exchange of exclusively releasing for them. Though steering away from past associations in his latest LP ‘Storming Heaven‘, Echologist prior releases were Big Room Techno cuts distributed on Mord and Electric Deluxe. His collaboration LP with Matrixxman, ‘The Black & White‘ LP has been a go to for functional Techno for us. ‘Just A Ride’ however is a Dub Techno track made for the main stage. Dropping in 2010 on his own Steadfast label, it is as atmospheric as a track can come.

If you’ve ever come across his Beat Pharmacy cuts you’ll know Brendon loves to add more reverb than Sven Marquardt likes rejecting people at Berghain. On his impalpable remix of Appleblim & Peverlist’s ‘Over Here’, Clone notes that Moeller ‘submerges the original elements under layers of delay and echo’. We’d say that’s a mammoth understatement. From the off, flumes of compressed white noise spurt in all directions. This is a reflection of the EP cover that features a cyclone in the ocean. Horns played in a manner that elicit a manner of reflection cavort. Chugging and groovy the bassline is mixed to provide the synth with symphony. An monumental breakdown takes place mid track, preserving only the horns on display. The track than lifts off with extra warped layers of chords moving up and down their variant octaves. If you could describe a track as a sonic representation of an F1 jet flying through a distant nebular, then this would be your pick. No wonder why the trancey Techno producer Petar Dundov included it in his Resident Advisor podcast. Continue reading →

Gregor Treshor – Goliath (Original Mix) [TECHNO]

Gregor Treshor - Goliath (Original Mix) [TECHNO] Photo Shoot Of The DJ

Gregor Treshor – Goliath (Original Mix)

This Gregor Tresher track and Goliath from the bible both have one thing in common – they’re frightening giants. You can see why this track EP released in 2015 on John Digweed’s Bedrock Records has a slingshot on its cover. Like David used it against Goliath, this weapon of a track when flung at a crowd is like an asteroid crashing at Earth with such force there’s no way of stopping it. Its akin to trying to stop a raging bull while being stuck in a straight jacket.

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Decadance – On And On (Fears Keep On) (Italoconnection Mix) [ITALO DISCO]

Decadance – On And On (Fears Keep On) (Italoconnection Mix)

Decadance - On And On (Fears Keep On) (Italoconnection Mix) [ITALO DISCO]

If you study the history of Chicago House scene long enough you’ll find that pioneers such Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles were densely influenced by Italo Disco. The sub genre  swayed the parties of mainland Europe throughout 1980s. A clear crossover can be heard by such and the Chicago scene explosion that followed and conquered the rest of the world.

You’ll find clear similarities, three elements in particular. A thumping kick, topline melodies and often, a resilient bassline that adds resilient drive to the track. What separates Italo from the music of Robert Owens and Larry Heard is the manner of the vocals. Chicago House masters used (at times chopped) vocals to concuct rhythm and a call for a collective dance or spiritual unity. Italo Disco songs, on the other hand, offered romanticism, in the form of emotionally-vulnerable singing. These are songs of love and heartbreak, as shown in ‘On and On’. Continue reading →

Dominik Eulberg – Taubenblut [MINIMAL TECHNO]

Dominik Eulberg - Taubenblut Original Mix Minimal Techno ArtworkDominik Eulberg – Taubenblut

As the hottest day of the year is here, there is only one DJ that was going to rule the airwaves today. Born and raised on the mountainous terrains of Germany’s Westerwald, Dominik Eulberg came to appreciate the aesthetics of nature from an early age. With such an upbringing, it is unsurprising that Eulberg could produce a track that is so reflective of the natural environment. ‘Taubenblut’ is his ultimate masterpiece.

Radiant, textured sounds filled with an aura that is reaching the upper levels of the celestial. Yet ‘Taubenblut’ still somehow manages to sound of the natural realms due to its use of wild soundscapes. A pulsating bassline sauntering through the constant minimal kick, represents the vigorous process of creation. The soundscapes created resonate closer to walking through a swarming wild forest more so than an abandoned factory. Just an example of how polar opposite the concept of a standard “techno track” can truly be. Continue reading →

Featured Mix: Azimute at Unusual Suspects Sankeys Ibiza

Azimute at Unusual Suspects Sankeys Ibiza [Serialism Recordings]

Azimute at Unusual Suspects Sankeys Ibiza [Serialism Recordings]

Azimute are a formidable production and DJ duo made of London based Swiss Quenum and Brazil born Berlin based Ceasre vs Disorder. Being a huge fan of Quenum since his 2008 track, Vault Elements, I was really excited to see the blow up of Chisti Cons remix of The Secret would put Azimute productions into the minds of music seekers. As Cocoon put on their notes for their monster 2017 release The Secret EP, they’re ‘no stranger to in-the-know techno heads.’ The mix is certainly one for the heads, and seeing the hypnotic sways of the dance floor in this video it is certainly one for the dancer in mind.

Minimal minded at first, with the dope cavernous ghost like stabs at the 12minute mark leaving you feel these guys have a few bangers up their sleeves. After playing their abstract minimal track, Baltazare, the mix picks up after 20 minutes with a Luciano type tribal track, with a loop of bongos, triangles, white noise shrills and off kilt filtered vocal setting up a fun but tense vibe.

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Pigon – Promises (Original Mix) [DEEP TECH]

Pigon Promises Artwork for Deep Tech Track Original Mix

Pigon – Promises (Original Mix)

It’s 2009, and Electro House is at it’s peak in Australia. Unless it’s a Vandalism or TV Rock track, most people don’t want to know. I’m at my Central Brisbane Apartment with a few of my best mates Marcus, Hughy, Blakey, Dosa and Jojo having an afterparty, Sven Vath’s Sound of The Ninth Season is playing in the background. Few tracks in one of my best mates Marcus turns to me and goes ‘What the hell is this music? How could you listen to it?’ … a few tracks later ‘Promises’ hits and he then comments ‘Oh..that’s why’.

Promises is the perfect late night track. This Deep Tech banger produced by the formidable Dial Records mainstay Efdemin and Rndm evokes feelings hidden deep inside of the soul, explicitly connecting your thoughts and emotions. Continue reading →

Deepchord – Devil Ray (Original Mix) [DUB TECH]

Art cover for Deepchord's Devil Ray

Deepchord – Devil Ray (Original Mix)

If you love Dub Techno, you love DeepChord. 2017 saw Deepchord release 2 Solo EPs, an LP and other various collaboration projects of such high quality. It makes you think ‘Can this guy actually slow down?’ here on ‘Devil Ray’, from his Auratones LP you get to feel the full force of Deepchords alchemical touch. Combining his usual Dub Techno, Deep House and Ambient soundscapes. As described by XLR8R in their review of the album,’ Modell’s (Deepchord) great ability is crafting virtual spaces. Auratones floods the listener with blissful electronic oceans of sound, stimulating the imagination.’ The track certainly embodies that statement.

DeepChord once stated ‘I think with my releases there must be some sort visual element expressed within the sound.’ Looking out towards a brooding Canary Wharf on the train heading to work on a wet London morning, with its striking architecture screaming out in the midst whilst listening to Devil Ray, my mind cannot help but agree with this. Your context might be different, but the influence of Astral Industries DJ associate is the same. Continue reading →

Featured Mix: Carsten Jost & Lawrence @ Beta Lounge [2002] [MIXES]

Carsten Jost & Lawrence @ Beta Lounge release Anti-Establishment Vol. 1

Carsten Jost & Lawrence @ Beta Lounge

We stumbled upon this mix on a cold wintry Saturday morning earlier this year, and ended up listening to it 3 times over. Yes it’s 3.5 hours you’ll never get back, but 3.5 hours of pure deep house, minimal and tech house bliss.

Starting very downtempo, with a few ambient tracks, then you’re hit with the warm Geoff White’s ‘Hopeless Romantic‘. This sets the tone for the mix as though being the finest salted caramel to your ears. A John Tejada & Leviste early Pallette Records track the ‘Present of Presence‘ is also another highlight. With its shimmering synth shrills simple guitar strum and basic drum keeping your head locked in the suspense of thought it got you in by title alone. Continue reading →