Tripeo: Ugani / Opuvar

It may happen that if we mention the name of Tripeo most of us would not connect the name with the techno scene. But I'm sure that if we say the person behind this moniker is Darko Esser then, the situation would be different.

If you have read some of my previous blog entries I'm sure you have already noticed that I tend to post information about art forms that (for whatever the reason is) don't seem to get the attention of the public but that I think they should do. I mean, I could be posting about lots of releases that will see the dark in the next few days, I also love and play most of them, but all the blogs an webs are already talking about those releases.

That's why I dedicate this blog entry to Tripeo/Darko's last release on Deep Sound Channel, a label that already caught my attention with their first release by ARC# and that I believe as some great things coming over.

I've specially liked Opuvar's construction. Very well worked beats, filtered atmosphere and dense synths.



Press release:

" Following up ARC#'s excellent album is a new series of 12"s from Deep Sound Channel. DSC proudly introduces the pioneering Darko Esser, under his Tripeo moniker to set these series in motion.

Tripeo gouges out chasms of bass for "Ugani". Industrial murmurs are supplanted by earthy rhythm patterns. The ever pervasive clank of the machine is never far away, coils and circuitboards creeping over organic growth to choke and overcome. Insular dub spirals into "Opuvar". Oscillators bend and bulge, waiting for Tripeo to inject ever more voltage. But the temperature is tapered, hi-hats bolstering intensity for a work of cerebral and contained Techno.

Fit for the armchair and subterranean dancefloor, dark and deep from the hands of Tripeo. Comes in special designed artwork, vinyl only. "

Source: http://pullproxy.com/

ARTIST: TRIPEO 

 TITLE: UGANI / OPUVAR 

 LABEL: DEEP SOUND CHANNEL 

 RELEASE DATE: 2013-11-12 

 FORMATS: VINYL

BMB are back: Where Pail Limbs Lie

We all were waiting for this news from the first moment we heard this two techno legends decided to close their common project back in 2006, initially, in a deffinitive way. It was at the end of summer, when even the most stubborn had started to admit we could not see another release signed by BMB, that they announced they were working in some new stuff. Great news!

BMB's new single is titled "Where Pail Limbs Lie" and has been released by Mute's sub-label, Liberation Technologies. This two track EP proofs this duo maintain their own essence when working together. I love to see BMB's sound is back for all the techno heads, and I feel this is like some important part of techno history.

ADAM X: Navigational Shortcut

One of my favourite labels has released this month a two tracker EP produced by its owner, Adam X. Two weeks ago, the digital version saw hte light while the 12" is coming out next week. I think this is the label's fifth release this year.

A year where classic sounds are becoming futuristic and this is a good proof of it. Both, Sonic Groove and Adam X are an important part of techno history from the very early 90's until today, that's a matter of fact.

This two tracks are a very good representation of Sonic Groove's main style during the last years. Both are pure techno stuff, where the beats and rythmic elements are enough to put an enormous amount of pressure that could blow anyone's mind out in the dancefloor.

Stroboscopic Artefacts: Bundle SA001 to SA015

Almost two months with no entry... this is too much. But I'd need 30 hrs a day to keep posting weekly (as I would like to do) about dark artistic expressions...

Anyway, I think this is a good reason to stop by and leave leave a little message in my personal "time capsule". I think StroboscopicArtefacts deserves this and much more, so let me show my love to this great label.

Mr. Mortellaro is making it again: you can now buy the whole 15 references SA catalogue a very reasonable price. In my case, I already have all of them except the last one but, hey! if you still didn't let the most hard working techno bee sting you, go and do it... well, if you didn't let it happen yey, maybe you won't understand what I want to mean with that phrase...

Artists like Xhin, Jonas Kopp, Perc, Dadub, Tommy Four Seven, James Ruskin, (shall I continue???) are already part of this particular swarm... pure class darkness with an always well dosed dub flavour. A cult label in my honest opinion with several projects going on (SA, Monad, Stellate,, etc)... 

It's nice to see people focused on a project, believe in it, do their thing professionally without making too much noise... Full respect and Strobolove!!!

Momentvm Records

It's been too long since my last entry in the blog but summer activity and some other private circumstances didn't left time enough to spend in here... But good techno and dark stuff keeps coming out so I still want to reflect all those inspirational slices in my little dark board book.

It's been a long time too since I met Mr. Wouter de Witte the owner of Momentvm Records. Momentvm is a Dutch digital techno label serving fresh dancefloor stuff since February 2012. So it was a pleasure for me when he asked me to record a miniset for his monthly podcast. I included on the recording Wouter's extraordinary remix of Nomad Spectrum's "Colour of Granite". This is the rest of the tracklist of my set, feel free to listen to the full show because Wouter's sets are always pure fun:

01.- Amon Tobin – Piece Of Paper (Extra Interpretation By Matthew Bourne & Sam Hobbs) [Ninja Tune] 

02.- Unam Zetineb - Transmissions [CRS] 

03.- Mike Dehnert – Umlaut2 [CBS] 

04.- Patrick Krieger - Beyond [GYNOID] 

05.- Ø [Phase] ‎– Binary Opposition (Ben Klock Process) [Token] 

06.- Nomad Spectrum - Colour of Granite (Wouter de Witte remix) [Momentvm Records] 

07.- Roman Lindau - Under Pressure [Fachwerk] 

08.- Perc – Kater [Stroboscopic Artefacts] 

09.- The Hundred In The Hands ‎– Red Night [WARP] 

10.- Trus'me ‎– In The Red [Fat City] 

11.- Brendon Moeller - Shuttle To Oblivion [Electric Deluxe] 

12.- Brendon Moeller - Adjust To The Fading Light (Ben Klock 'Just In Time' Remix)[Electric Deluxe] 

13.- 2562 - Narita [Tectonic] 

14.- Martyn ‎– Seventy Four (Redshape Mix) [3024] 

15.- Monoloc & Pfirter ‎– Session 3 [CLR] 

16.- The Subliminal Kid - That's A Lot Of Bait (Delta Funktionen's Dark Funk Mix) [Ann Aimee] 

17.- Donato Dozzy & DJ Say - Tutto Negativo [Mental Groove Records] 

18.- Deep's Edayar - Thiza [Ballistic]

Cicuta & Heaven to Hell: 10/10 x 10

 Two of the labels I've been following really close since I started to use digital sources to prepare my sets have just released their 10th reference. I'm talking about Cicuta Netlabel and Heaven to Hell Records.


I could be posting separate entries for each label, of course both deserve it. But the fact is although there are important diferences between these two labels, for me both have the same value and I have a special love for them. I like how the creators of Cicuta (Drugstore) and Heaven to Hell (Peter DL-E) managed to quickly put the name of their labels in all our minds with quality music.


How could someone proof that the only way of showing quality is releasing quality? I think this question is the answer itself and Cicuta and HTH are clear examples. And if you check their releases you'll see it. People like Voidloss, Bran Lanen, José Pouj, Quantic Spectroscopy have released with Cicuta so far (and totally free, thumbs up for Cicuta!). The tenth Cicuta is pure quality music, I love their criteria to select the tracks on every release they do and I think this time they've even gone a level higher. And names like Glenn Wilson, Gonzalo MD and Unam Zeniteb among others just confirm that HTH is not playing child games... Check the recently published double release, it's a huge one.


So nothing else to add, two labels to keep an eye on. Two labels to congratulate and that I thought I should mention together.

Beton Radio Show #147

 I almost forgot to post my last set for Beton Radio Show. It's been the second time I have the opportunity to be a part of that Podcast and for me that's an honour. Mita from Concrete Djz has been a techno hard worker since the late 90's and a proof of it is his weekly podcast on techno.fm among other things.

This time it's a double pleasure for me because I shared the show with Peter (DL-E), the man behind one of the most workative, professional and quickly and strongly grown recent digital labels: Heaven to Hell Records. We shared a lot of moments and some shows in the past when we were a part of poundingtechno.com. That's why I feel kinda proud of seeing the result of his project. I'm sure you already know HTH but if you don't, you should go straight to the web and check all the good stuff it's being released by this label.

Regarding my set, I feel quite good with the result. I don't use to like to listen to my own creations but when I reviewed it, I think this time at least I can say that the tracklist is very representative of my work on the decks. My most recent and my essential taste during all these years. I always kept in mind that this set was an introduction to Peter's set while recording it and i think it does the job.

I also must to say that everytime I have to record a set of one hour, I feel that it's hard to me to properly tell a story in sixty minutes... But it's okay this time because as I said, it's part and the introduction for Beton nr. 147:

D. Humo - BETON RADIO SHOW #147 - 10.05.2012 by D. Humo

Modularz

Modularz is one of the few recently born north american labels serving quality and powerful techno. It was created in 2010 by Los Angeles artist Developer . You might know him by his great work in Semantica nr. 39 and his mix for Resident Advisor podcast in March.

In Europe, the distribution comes from Word & Sound in Hamburg, Germany.

This label releases vinyl and digital with artists and remixers like Silent Servant, Oliver Ho-Raudive, Audio Injection, Truncate, Fanon Flowers and Eduardo de la Calle. And the last two releases (Modularz 8.1 and 8.2), the releases that made me feel the obligation to post this entry, are just amazing... can't wait to put my hands on this:

Modularz 8.1_ Developer + Truncate + Jonas Kopp + Markus Suckut by Modularz

Modularz 8.2_ Developer + Shifted + Stanislav Tolkachev by Modularz

Senoid Recordings

Everybody knows Kike Pravda but maybe only some of their followers can feel what I feel when talking about him and his work during all these years. When I say "some" I don't pretend to refer to a little quantity of fans (although it is, compared to the total number of followers he's got), neither to mean I'm one of the chosen few (although I was lucky enough to spend some of my late teen years dancing to his early sets on the club that gave him his "surname").

I can't deny it's a fact that my techno evolution has been always guided by some special artists and he's been one of them. Everyone infected by the techno virus during the mid-late 90's in the North of Spain knows what I'm talking about. Sunday mornings were great during some years and we took the chance to learn about those deep, dark and even acid atmospheres that gave sense to the struggle through the week. Yes, I feel proud of see that he keeps fighting as a veteran but still strong techno soldier. I love to see both Psychoskunk Recordings heads keep working and giving amazing results (don't forget Víctor Martínez and his recent album... a masterpiece). And now, Kike has announced he's about to release a new imprint, Senoid Recordings. Was that release on M_REC digital some kind of warning? Lots of questions come to my mind but what I'm sure is this is going to be about quality serious music, real techno!

Good luck and congratulations for this one, Kike.

February techno promo set

Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, Anāhata) is the fourth primary chakra according to the Hindu Yogic and Tantric (Shakta) traditions.
In Sanskrit the word anahata - means unhurt, un-struck and unbeaten. Anahata Nad refers to the Vedic concept of unstruck sound, the sound of the celestial realm.

Lots of music have passed trough my ears during this month. Some of the tracks are available for free and some of them are not, but what it's obvious is that techno has lived a great evolution during the last two years and I think no one has been able to scape from the influence of this new era, no matter the format... and I'm not an exception. I feel really comfortable playing with those so called Berlin sounds and I like to mix them with some non regular 4x4 techno tracks when I think it's needed.

I've recently discovered the music of the BCR Boys and I found on it that kind of effective darkness that in my opinion is perfect to punish any dancefloor. I came across some BCR free tracks on soundcloud so I've used it alongside some other free tracks that Mattias Fridell and Plus Eins generously offer to their regular fans.

I also find really interesting Isomer Transition's and Peel Seamus' (one of Marsel Delsin's alias) music but never used any of their tracks on a set, so I felt this was the right time to use two of them to mark what I think are the two turning points of this set.

There are also tracks from Mike Dehnert (pure fun for a dj), Pigon and Mr. Van Hoesen among others... It may sound even a bit trendy using so much of their music on the same set but hey, this is all about having fun and telling a musical story and, as I said before, I feel really comfortable using this kind of sounds for that purpose.

I hope you also have fun listening to the result. Any comment is more than welcome:

   humo - techno promo - febrer 2012 by humo

January chart

First chart of 2012 (a bit late). January uses to be more quiet when talking about releases and this has not been a big exception.

The first record I've added to my list this month is a quite deep two track EP that I'm really enjoying. I'm talking about the 8th reference on Dekmantel. 

My second choice, has been Chimera EP on one of the most difficult to type (for me, of course) but most active labels during the last 3-4 years: Nachtstrom Schallplatten. Yes, I know, that's not such a long name. I have memorized lots and lots of labels and references. But when I try to write the name of this one, I always put a letter in a wrong place or something like that... Pure darkness on an EP that I'll play a lot. Specially Perc's remix, a quite industrial track that makes want to dance agressively. Both tracks by Ralph Mirto are also great if you want to deliver some punishment to the dancefloor.

Figure is one of my favourite record labels and A. Mochi has always been a really interesting artist for me. If you check this EP you will know what I'm talking about. I think "Black Reign" and "Phantom" could be a great definition of what could be considered Figure's message when looking into its pure dark techno oriented side, and "Stray" contains the restrained dose of dub that this label uses to supply.

Let's go a bit more serious and continue punishing the dancers down there with Perc Trax' nr. 51. When it comes to this, this label doesn't use to have any punches, and I love it. I mean, is like when you're buying a Token release. You know that you're getting a very useful tool when looking to get some response.

And as if I were preparing a set right now, I think it would be really effective to continue with any of the tracks included on Gynoid's 8th reference. Original by Sev Dah, remixes by Mr. Suckut, Donor / Truss and Grovskopa (it looks like this is going his last released track for a while...).  I think that could be enough to start a bit of self-punishment if you miss your copy of this... I think this could be my favourite on this chart, and I'm sure it'll be a faithful sidekick. Ultrarecommended!!!

A bit of good and hot dub from Eduardo de la Calle in his own label Ánalog Solutions. This is not the firts time I talk about EDLC and AS, but the fact is he's been doing a great job during several years now and I think he's not getting as much attention as he deserves. I love the classic feeling he keeps in most of his tracks. I sometimes miss the mixture of dub and acid I used to listen in the late 90's stuff and Eduardo keeps working on that feeling and he does it at a high level.

The man of the moment, Marcel Dettman has released on Music Man an EP that has really surprised me. The oringinal track is just perfect in my honest opinion. I've never seen this kind of sounds on Dettman's portfolio before and I'm loving it... Deep, hard, away from the typical 4x4 fat bass techno beat he uses to deliver and a perfect deeper, in possible, and more hot remix. A must, even just for listening.

Let me add a bit of Electro-House to my collection. When talking about originality and effective music, I think Modeselektor is name to mention. Please, let me know if you don't agree. But I'm sure you won't. I think this is their 3rd year running their own label: Monkeytown and this is the 20th release. Ain't that amazing? Well, we all know what's the deal when talking about this duo. Freek techno, electro and house. That let me be a amateur soothsayer will be followed but some remixes EPs that will gild the lily. Let's see, maybe I'm wrong.

Token, nr. 20, Phase, sold out. I won't say anything else.

And last but not least, limited edition on M_Rec by Mr. Ben Gibson. For me, he's one of the techno lords in the line of people like Inigo Kennedy, Jeff Mills, Surgeon, James Ruskin... well, you know what I mean, right? This release, sold out too, is a clear example of what I'm talking about. The sounds on it are on a level above most of all the stuff coming out lately. That's my opinion of course. Three tracks by Gibson and a really well worked remix by Samuli Kemppi... ah! I was late for this one. I hope I can put my hands on it!!!

Check my January chart here

January 2012 techno set

Well, maybe it's been too short since I recorded my last set. I think it was less than a couple of weeks ago but there's a good explanation for this: I finally bought Traktor Scratch from Native Instruments. I'm not thinking in playing techno with Traktor, I bought it mainly for those moments when I want to play some other styles while keeping (more or less) the same feeling and technique as playing vinyl records.

So, in order to check how this toy works, having a good reference to compare with, I decided to download some techno tracks that I enjoyed lately and put them together with some other stuff I already have and this is the result. Most of the tracks are from Cicuta Netlabel. Much respect for them, I like their way of thinking and I love the fact they share their quality stuff for free! Might this set be some kind of tribute for them... I advise you keep an eye on them during this year. Next week they're releasing their 5th reference and it's been made by Voidloss, huge EP! I've put a track from that release on my set, although I think I didn't squeeze all the juice it deserves...

I'm pretty happy with the global result. You'll find information about all the producers on soundcloud and you can download all the Cicuta releases from their website. Again: respect to all that people who, for any reason, can't release their great stuff on vinyl and decide to make their creations available for anybody who can appreciate them:

01.- David_Meiser - Assault Forces [promo]

02.- Kike Pravda - Quantum [cicuta]

03.- Reeko - Never again [md]

04.- Vegim - Librium [cicuta]

05.- Drugstore - Udayan [cicuta]

06.- Drugstore - Shadai (David Reina dark mix ) [cicuta]

07.- Orphx - Critical mass [circuitbreaking]

08.- Hyo - Skyquake (Drugstore remix) [cicuta]

09.- Radial - A Coke and a Smile [PRRUK]

10.- Orphx-Simulacrum [circuitbreaking]

11.- Zair - Overfeeding [cicuta]

12.- Radial - Allright Allright [PRRUK]

13.- Hiroaki Iizuka - Glow (Grovskopa Remix) [soleil]

14.- Voidloss - Rtual at château des amerois (forthcoming)[cicuta]

15.- The Black Dog - Future Delay Thinking (Live) [promo]

   humo - free is good too - january 2012 set by humo

December 2011 techno set.

D. Humo - 11 summary on 12's - December 2011 set by D. Humo on Mixcloud

I think posting a new set it's a good way to start this new year. A couple of days ago, I recorded a 60' long set that intended to be my short tribute to all those producers and record labels that had the opportunity to release some vinyls during 2011. In my honest opinion, this has been a good year for techno music. Lot's of good stuff and new names for me. New styles have gained attention and some all-time big names have adapted their style to the present, I think that's important too.

In my set, there are some Delsin/Ann Aimee tracks and some Stroboscopic Artefacts releases. I think these two labels have been my favourites this year. I have also enjoyed a lot some CLRs. I think they represent a lot the kind of sounds I'm loving lately. 

Special mention for Emika too. I really feel her music and everybody who listens to her after my recommendation inmediately falls in love... A good target for 2012 could be see her on a live show... that would be great.

I've also discovered a new label that I hope can release more records during. I'm talking about Earth to Ground records, they have serious stuff!

I'd also like to thank all the people that have read my blog. We're not talking about  thousands of people but I must say I had much more visitors than what I expected. Please, take this set as way of saying thanks too:

01.- Brendon Moeller - Mobility
02.- Tommy Four Seven - CH4 (Speedy J Remix)
03.- Nihad Tule & Bauri - Nudge
04.- Marcelus - 24/7
05.- Dax J & Chris Stanford - Programm (Truss Remix)
06.- Sigha - Finding Myself
07.- Xhin - Incidental (Audio Injection & Drumcell Remix In Trackmode)
08.- Emika - Pretend (Brandt Brauer Frick Rework)
09.- Peter Van Hoesen - Last One At 1080
10.- Jeroen Search & Markus Suckut - Jsms 2.0
11.- Lucy & Ercolino - Gmork
12.- Lucy - Tof (Tommy Four Seven Remix)
13.- Kyle Geiger - Ode To The Elders (Perc Remix)
14.- Butane - World Peace

   humo - 11 summary on 12's - december 2011 set by humo

December chart

Wow, didn't 2011 pass too fast? I simply can say that when looking back... well, I also can say 2011 has been an amazing musical year... I'm really happy because I've discovered a lot of new music and I feel like my mind is a bit more open after the last months.

I know I always say it's very hard to choose ten records per month but that's for real... This month has been even harder for me, I had 15-16 records on my list during the last week and today I felt like some kind of executioner when deleting some records from my list.

I start my December chart with BCR Boys' (Ninjatechno) release on Nachstrom Schallplatten. It looks like 2011 has been the most productive year for these boys. This reference, is a four tracker fully produced by BCR and plenty of bass techno on the so called Berlin way. I'm really feeling the A side.

Deeper and dubber comes Eduardo de la Calle with his 12th Ánalog Solutions (and not Analogue Germany as Juno states...). This record contains two delicate music pieces that I strongly recommend to check.

I love to find new names, this is my main purpose here, and I really find a cause for celebration when amazing and original music comes with it... Lakker is my new name of this month and Killerkill my new label to follow from now on... great one!

A bit more easy listening but full of dub comes Tacito with his last release. Soft and warm techno for those special moments on A side. And a G.Gigli remix with a playful track on B side, both still filled with well selected chords.

Antonio de Angelis, another new name for me, looks like another name to follow coming from Italy. He has a couple of releases in Safari and another two releases in Gynoid. One of them is the one I'm charting this month (Gynoid 07). A side starts with a remix by our favourite red beard, a pure club oriented techno track followed by the original track by de Angelis interpretation, which has nothing to envy from the previous one, I really don't know which one I'd choose if had I had to choose one of them. The original track  on B side is a bit darker and more mental than the two on A side, filled with some scary textures that really do the job in my opinion. Arnaud Le Texier's remix goes further with the interpretation of the track and I love how he took it to the other side, the dark one.

Well, Semantica did it again... This label never stops impressing me, this is pure music. Soulful, well done, original, varied but still following a thread. I'm talking now about the fourth release on their 5 year compilation. I really won't say much more about this release although it deserves a full entry on my blog. Please, let me just advise to listen to it and ask you to come back to me if you don't like it...

Another pretty young label, Abstract Acid, has released the 5th reference. As soon as I started listening to this one I thought: "Come to meeee!". This record has taken me to my very first techno years. Pure classic acid techno is what you can find here. But REAL acid techno, you know what I mean?

Dettmann has given the chance to Wincent Kunth this time and I'm pretty sure he's not dissapointing anyone... dark Berlin techno at it's best from a Swiss guy this time. I really like this record because every track is very different from the others but maintains the dark berlinesque atmosphere I said before. I really see this guy on OTON.

Delsin, my loved Delsin, has served another full of love and good music release. Morphosis has made a great job this year and Delsin has proved it. Arabic feeling and dark filling on the original track that fixes every dj set, even if it's not a techno one. Same for both re-definitions, coming from Marcel Dettmann. Both are really deep but the second one is, maybe, a bit more housey... I think this is one of those "love it, or hate it" records. I love it, I love it so much that I think my wife could feel a bit jealous... 

And the last one, is a new edition from one of my all time favourites. James Ruskin's "Work" (sorry, I didn't find another version for the original one youtube). Both tracks on this record are recorded live. I must admit I've charted this one because of "Work", but the other track is a very useful piece too in my opinion.

Check my December chart here.

New techno label: SCKT

Great news again. This time one of my best discoveries of this year, Markus Suckut, has announced he's starting a new label and, very good point for me, he'll be releasing only on vinyl.

The first reference comes with three pure class tracks produced by Mr. Suckut, and it looks like it'll be the usual: only tracks produced by Markus Suckut to express his most personal point of view when talking about techno music.  A perfect way to start this new adventure that makes me want to ask a lot of question about the plans he's got for the label. I just can't wait to put my hands on this record...

Check his presentation:

" FORMAT: 12" ONLY

 REDUCED TO THE ESSENTIAL AND WELL-TEXTURED. THAT’S WHAT MARKUS SUCKUT’S NEW LABEL SCKT IS CHARACTERIZED BEST.
KNOWN THROUGH RELEASES ON LABELS LIKE FIGURE SPC, THE PRODUCER WILL RELEASE ONLY HIS OWN PRODUCTIONS AND THEREBY PRESENT THE ROOT OF HIS OWN STYLE.
DESIGNED FOR THE ENDLESS FLOW, THE SUSTAINED STRUCTURE AND THE DREAMY-SPHERICAL MELODIES OF THE RELEASES CONTRAST EACH OTHER. THE LUSCIOUS SUBSTRUCTURE IS COMPLEMENTED BY MERCILESS HAUNTING BASSLINES. THIS MIXTURE DISTINGUISHES EACH TRACK AS FLAWLESS, MODERN TECHNO, WHOSE STEERFUL PRODUCTION IS PALPABLE IN EVERY SECOND.

ALL TRACKS WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY MARKUS SUCKUT.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DISTRIBUTED BY INTERGROOVE.

Release/catalogue number: SCKT01
Release date: Jan 25, 2011"

source: http://soundcloud.com/markussuckut/sckt01

November chart

 Last month before Xmas distortion and good stuff keeps coming out. This month it's been quite hard again to choose ten records that every techno/dark electronics lover should have (in my honest opinion, of course).

I can luckily say that the first one on my list is already on my hands. It's been a long time since I bought my last Drumcode reference, it was DC43 if I remember correctly so we're talking about more than three years. This time, I'm buying the second DCLTD edition served by Nihad Tule and Bauri, two swedish producers coming with two strong minimalistic tracks. I love the beat and the atmosphere they apply in both tracks.

The second reference I've chose this month is Liber Nox a limited edition 12" from The Black Dog. What can I say about the Black Dog? I think it's all said about them. Just check this two tracks they are bringing through they home label: Dust Science. The first piece it's an orchestral electro track that I think can perfectly fix every dj set when looking for "that special climax". Second one, much more British techno, makes the listener travel to haunted inhospitable places. It really reminds me that old Birmingham stuff that I miss lately...

There's a lot of Dubstep going out. It's been like that for the last two-three (?) years. It's hard sometimes to find the good stuff between all the amount of ... well, maybe I shouldn't use any adjective when talking about something that depends so much on musical tastes (respect!). The fact is I've found the B side on TKR's new EP on Paradise Lost nr. 16 just amazing. A side is OK but B side is great. I'm talking about "Breath" and it's Twisted Flying Carpet remix. The beat on the first one makes me inmediately look for a dancefloor and a strong soundsystem to play it. Pretty clean track where the rythm is filled with some tribal elements and a soft dub melody that perfectly does the job... Same as the remix, coming with a very simmilar beat, without all those sounds that put you in the middle of the jungle on the previous one, and adding some extra claps on it making the track a bit more energetic, if possible.

One of my favourite labels, Times to Express, has just released the 18th reference. I never get tired of T2X sounds... I must admit this is the first time I see the name of this artist: SP-X but the track he's serving on the A side is one of those tracks that will come to my mind when someone ask for the definition of techno. I think this time Mr. Hoesen and his amazing techno mind had an easy job to do the remix. The third track is also a pure techno track, please listen to that beat bringing all those Purpose Maker classic tracks to your mind... just delicious! SP-X a name to watch.

Let me approach this November chart to some, let's say, more ambiental and full of vibrations sounds. Synkro is a very special artist. For me, correct me if I'm wrong, he's in the middle of Scuba's and Burial's style. Two of my favourite non techno producers to define another artist, that can only be good... The three tracks on this release are calm down music. Maybe too far from the rest of the releases on this list but hey, I think it's a dj's job to make very different tracks sound good together if needed!

And here we go with the third and fourth Innertia compilation releases! I made an entry to speak about these amazing MUST HAVE compilation. I won't spend to much words again although I think this compilation deserves many of them, all positive of course. Let me please just mention my fave on each one... or... you know what? I won't do it, I'm feeling all the tracks from the first sound until the last one goes and leaves place to the static... because I'm always talking about vinyl, I hope that's clear huh?

Why do all Mike Paker's tracks sound so similar? And why do I like them so much? If you make that question to me, is because you didn't listen to him or, at least, not enough... I'm a big Geophone fan and I'm a big Semantica stuff lover too. Believe me: If we talk about abstract techno we can't leave all these names out. This time, Parker releases the 32nd reference from this Spanish Label owned by Svreca who's serving on this EP a very effective remix too. Go and get it before they're gone, because that's what uses to happen with Semantica releases... I can say that's been my own experience several times...

Can I say Sir Ruskin and Sir Broom to refer the two masters of good techno who have just released an album? One of those albums containing tracks that don't need to the mixed on a set to be properly listened to? One of those techno albums where techno is the less important part of the definition because we're talking about pure music? Where every track is an amazing track to the best electronica that only could be made when two specific minds put together all their wisdom? Of course I can, all these words are not enough to refer the incredible album James Ruskin and Mark Broom have released on Blueprint records, under the name of The Fear Ration (I love this alias). Please, go and have a listen. I've listened again and again for the samples on Juno and I just hope this is not sold out before my next order...

I'll finish this month's chart with Oscar Mulero's new reference on one of his labels Pole Recordings. What a relief! Mulero has been one of my biggest influences for me and I've been feeling the need to see him renewed for quite a while now... Listening to this EP made me happy, I was sure he was able to do it and he's perfectly done it! He's adapted his personal sounds to the actual needs and I'm really satisfied with the way he's done it... There's still Mulero's essence on this EP no doubt, but he's come out from the loop in which he was, this is a personal opinion. The opinion of a big Mulero stuff lover, not just criticism...

Check my November chart HERE

Ballistic Records

 Today I'm celebrating the launching of Ballistic, a project by Delusions from Barcelona city.

Everytime a new techno label is born it's a reason to me to be happy. But when the label is from Spain, and its first release is a vinyl including tracks from Casual Violence, Agony Forces and Delusions and Deep's Edayar, I must say I have something to celebrate.

This label is strongly influenced by the Industrial techno sounds and the Birmingham scene as most of us are. But what generated more interest in me is they also declare a dedication to a more dub and berliner side of techno, on wich I'm pretty focused lately. Of course, I never forget my beginings but well, this is what I'm feeling lately and that's why I'm sure I'll be watching this new project I'm talking about. It looks like Triplevisions will take care of the distribution.

The first reference was published at the end of September and it starts with a strong industrial track served by the owners (Delusions) followed by Casual Violence, bringing a dark atmosphere industrial tune too. On the B side, Agony Forces has recorded a very energetic track, as they normally do, but it has surprised me that they seem to make a nod to something a bit more dub including some different chords in it. I think my favourite tune is D. Edayar's track, the last one on this release. Maybe too different from the rest of the record but it makes this release fixing perfectly with their statement of principles: Industrial & Birmingham / Berlin & Dub.

Let's see how this difficult days affect to this label but from here, I want to show my full support to my neighbours and wish them a lot of music and good vibes...

Inertia compilation: Resisting routine.

It's been a while, although not as long as I should, since I've been following Delsin Records and all his family. I've got to say this is one of the most respectable labels I've found during these years of music investigations. It's main focus is traditional detroit oriented techno but the thing I like most of them is they don't fear to release anything that sounds special and deserves to be part of the dedicated dj's collections... My September mix includes some of them.

But well, the reason that made me start this entry is more specific. Delsin's beautiful sister, Ann Aimee, is releasing a 4 reference compilation called inertia and, although I only have the two first releases, I can already say the series is already an important part of my collection.

Inertia #1 was released on October 14th, 2011 and includes cuts from Time to Express Chief Peter Van Hoesen and Fachwerk’s Roman Lindau as well as fellow label recruits Delta Funktionen and Sawlin. I'm not a big Delta F. fan but I'm really feeling this track, a very deep one this time. Van Hoesen's cut maintains the level he's used to serve. I love his hability to put severe and strong beats together with a well ridden dub feeling but well, who doesn't love him this days? Lindau's coming with a heavy stomping beat too, I think I'll be playing this one a lot. And finally Sawlin offers a quality trippy techno track. For me this one could be the best of this release. I simply love it please: have a listen. The cessation of motion is due to the opposing force...

Inertia #2 was released together with the first one. I don't understand why they decided to do this but I'm sure there's a reason for that. First track is from Marcelus, a new name for me, who offers a heavy house and techno fusion, I love the classic feeling on this track. One of the men of the moment, Sigha, goes deep and ominous with a track that, honestly, I think is one of his best ones. Redshape, well... I've never liked his sounds I'm sorry... this is too electro-techno-ish for me but I must admit that if I had to choose a track from him, it would be this one. Area Forty_One close out the package with a really useful track, pretty oringinal! If there is no opposing force...

Inertia#3 has been released this week, yesterday to be more exact. What could we expect from a release including four names like Lucy, M. Bradley, M. Dehnert and Ozka (another new name to me, thanks Delsin Recs.)? Exactly : perfect compressed dub, a perfectly driven techno track, a pure class club banger and a perfect darker and deeper textures track... what can I say? I just find this release perfect! The Motion Will Never Stop

Inertia#4 released also November 11th, closes this series that I think will be one of those that will mark an inflexion point of techno evolution... Filled with four contemporany big names, 4th Inertia starts with Skudge's "Pollution" a simply constructed but effective track as they've us used to. I really like Skudge and I'm always watching out for their newest stuff, which I'd like to be more frequent! Next track comes from Conforce and I could define it as the beauty of deepness, really recommended too. A bit more dubby comes Cosmic TRG, check this out, I think it'll be a name to follow too (at least I'll do). Fachwerk co-founder Sascha Rydell gets a little spaced out on his kinetic and melancholic effort, a really well chosen closing for this great compilation... I just can't wait to put my hands on nr. 3 and nr. 4... Stand out on its own, but peerless when paired with the other three parts, Inertia 4 ends a special project indeed.

October 2011 techno set

This week I've recorded and uploaded my fall mix. This one is not an experiment like the set I recorded in September, plenty of downtempo and even some ambient sounds. This season, as I use to do in every season, I've tried to pour my feelings about fall. This year it's being a late fall, because we're living some kind of sunny spring instead of the cloudy and bit colder weather we should consider as normal. But we can't escape to the days going shorter and the nights being colder* so I think that's why this set keeps going from hot to cold and to dark to bright (all the brightness I can give, I know that's not too much) continuously.

Compressed dub, that's a definition Lucy used to talk about SA sounds and that I'd apply to this set too. First, because it's plenty of SA stuff and second because the rest of the tracks are really dub too... The set starts with an intro I built with two tracks from Surgeon and it's followed by two SA tracks by Dadub and I think that's where the main part of the story begins... This time I'd like to highlight, in addition to the SA stuff, the Sandwell District because I think this is the first time I felt comfortable playing a SD track... You'll notice too that James Ruskin is always present on my mixes... and I've just realised that this is the first time I'm not playing any Token! I promise I'll solve this one the next set, I'm sure because Token 19 has just come out and I'll be buying it this week. You can check the rest of the tracks under these lines. I'm not quite happy with mixing this time, but I think the great stuff on it, really worths a listen or two. Listen to my set on the link below and feel free to leave any comment:

01.- Surgeon - Presence
02.- Surgeon - Transparent Radiation
03.- Dadub – Metropolis
04.- Lucy & Ercolino - So The Nothing Grows Stronger (Remix – Dadub)
05.- Reeko - Inroad (Remix - Ben Sims)
06.- Jeroen Search - Hybrid
07.- HU – Čaj
08.- O/V/R - Interior
09.- Forward Strategy Group - Token Ring
10.- O/V/R - Descending The Left Corner
11.- Lucy - Bein (Remix - James Ruskin)
12.- Sandwell District – Grey Cut Out (Version)
13.- Frank Martiniq - Dark Star
14.- Dimi Angélis & Jeroen Search - Jupiter
15.- Lucy - Dub Man Walking
16.- Orphx - Vapour
17.- James Ruskin – The Outsider (ME Remix - Luke Slater)
18.- Mike Dehnert –Discrete
19.- Jonas Kopp – Alkitran
20.- Ben Klock – Compression Session 1

   humo - late fall - october 2011 set by humo

*(that reminds me that Fink lyrics... fuck! today he's playing in Barcelona and I was supposed to go but finally I couldn't be there at because of family affairs... frustrating because it's the only music with a singer on it I've been listening to this year, well, Fink and Emika)

October chart

Another month has passed and another barrage of good releases has made it hard to me to select ten records between all the amazing music coming out. It's a bit frustrating for me because I made an order simulation with the records I'd buy this month if I could afford all of them and well, it was around 300 EUR... impossible... 

First of all, I've found a label I'll try to study carefully. I say that because it's new for me and, mainly,  because seeing the names on the first releases and listening to this 8th release I've charted, make me think this is one of those extremelly eclectic labels that use to hide some musical jewels that don't get the attention it deserves. I'm talking about Idle Hands, a Bristol based label that has just released this amazing two tracker produced by AND.

This month has been really productive for me, I've made several findings and I'm really happy to see new labels that still believe in vinyl and it's charm, and more if it's a Spanish one. First because it's my country and second because it looks as the only European country that's not being refreshed with the new sounds wave that floods all the continent at this moment. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good producers and some really strong and respectable labels, but I didn't see any evolution for the last 2 or 3 years, unless certain exceptions. Eleve records, from Spain, is one of them in my honest opinion. It has released his first reference and I want to express my full support to this project, started some years ago and focused in the most ambient/dub side of techno music, have a listen to this EP and feel this special sound they have. And keeping the dub feeling, I've also found very impressing the last Echocord release by Skudge. I've still so many things to learn... I found Skudge like a new name for me and they have even their own label! Well that's the beauty on life, isn't it? This time I found a still dubby release but more dancefloor addressed release than what I'm used to find on Echocord... another useful record to put your hands on, if you can.

Julien H Mulder is the responsible of Färden nr. 3 and it looks like this release is his master piece. This is a very personal opinion but I think at this moment the best acid is coming from Sweden. A clear proof of it are these three outter space acid tracks that in some moment could have some millesque reminiscences. This is the kind of techno that really touches my brain and makes me want to be on a dark dance floor somewhere in Mars... very good one!


Nachtstrom Schallplatten 042 (42!), by Tex Rec. Well... I think they don't need any presentation. The great job this label has done since it came out in 2008 and the great evolution Tex Rec has made during the last years, only can provide a highly effective EP on which I'd specially recommend the third track "Androlium" ... supertrack! Supertrack is also "Pretend" from Emika on every one of the versions they've recorded. I have a special feeling for the Brandt Brauer Frick version, just sublime. Seeing it live is just a gift.  You'll also find two versions of "Professional Loving" on this release. Emika has her style, and I simply love her stuff.


It was a big and welcome surprise when I saw another producer that's raising the roof lately publishing in one of those labels you think, in your intimacy, that only you and few people follow... I'm talking about Apotek, I have some releases from this label and I have to be sincere: if you asked me if Xhin could fix on Apotek my answer would be "NO". But this time I'd be wrong again. 


I won't commit demagogy and I won't repeat what's everybody already said and it's obvious so, if you didn't yet, GO AND BUY NEW P.A.S.' ALBUM ON O-TON! Even if you don't spin records anymore... I think this is the perfect definition for "a must have", even if it's only for collectors motivations.


For collectors too and if you don't believe me, just come back to me in a couple of years, it'll be this new Inertia series from Ann Aimee. I hope I can get the four of them before they are sold out! For the moment I've charted the first one but the second has come out too and I think it's amazing too. My advise is to keep an eye on this Inertia series.


And finally, my loved Token Records label has released its 19th reference. What can I say... I'm in love with Token from the first release and I have all the releases and keep them as one of the most important parts of my vinyl collection. Token + Inigo Kennedy = pleasure for mind, body and soul. I really don't know the reason why Iningo could need a "Revenge" but if this is some kind of punishment, I'm a masochist...

Check my October 2011 chart here