Single Of The Month 1: Phil Kieran - Skyhook (Novamute) Single Of The Month 2: Tomash Gee - Untitled (Methanol)

Phil Kieran
‘Sky Hook’
(NOVAMUTE)

You’ve got to hand it to Phil Kieran – he’s pretty OK with a synthesizer, a few samples and a sequencer. There’s always a clever edge to his music and you can expect anything from dark mysterious pads to uplifting FX whooshes all in the same breath. This particular track ‘Skyhook’, appearing on one of the most respected independent electronic labels in the UK, is minimalism to an extreme - intelligently executed in such a ground breaking and knowledgeable way. You could easily envisage a track like this sitting prime place in one of Richie Hawtin’s more recent sets - a total crowd destroyer. Full marks. M8/M8

Single Of The Month 2:

Tomash Gee
‘Untitled’
(METHANOL)

Influenced heavily by the like of Aphex Twin, Tomash Gee has absorbed himself with the sound of hard techno and the result is some pretty damn hard music. The bomb on this release is the A-side – something that uses some noticeable Aphexy ‘Quoth’ style sound sculptures to draw you into the track whilst clever edits and stop-starty percussion keep the pace relentless. You’ll love the way Gee pushes the track progressive and forward thinking rather than simply distortion central to please the six o’clockers. Great stuff. M8/M8

Alex Smoke
‘Neds (Tolga Fidan RMX)’
(VAKANT R)

Tolga Fidan is a relative newcomer to the minimal movement but surely this remix begs the question why? With a superb appreciation of sound structure, the track progresses perfectly and leaves you mesmerized at several points throughout. There’s a certain psychedelic and hypnotic quality here, producing an wealth of LSD induced experiences - adding an exciting slant to the minimal sound. There’s definitely a story to this one so if you’re into music that actually goes somewhere, you’ll just have to get a copy of this one. M7/M8

Max Min
‘054’
(MAX MIN)

Kings of the acid techno underground Chris Liberator and Guy McCaffer join together with Julian Gas for this utterly ‘avin it journey into ‘avin it land with the ‘avin it fairies. It’s on the brilliant Maximum Minimum label so expect the bass to be in ya face and the breakdown to bite your balls. This is dance floor massacre and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of playing the sound of acid techno to a crowd that wants it ‘or you’re dead’, then you’re going to appreciate having this one to hand. M7/M8

Kryz
‘Return Libc’
(WAH WAH)

Another acid techno killer for this month and it’s by little known artist Kryz. If you like the 303 to be louder than anything else in the room then you’re in the right place. This is old school acid techno brought bang up to date with clean and sharp percussion that flows beautifully out of those dark midnight speakers. Kryz is a new artist so it’s a pleasure to hear someone else’s brand new take on the sound. This is in the box and rockin the mustard. M7/M8

Various
Confessions For Life
(EMETIC)

Great to see the Emetic label back after a serious break, with an immense track appearing on the A1. I’m not quite sure whether they’ve got the information wrong on the promo sheet, but apparently the track is a remix by label boss Martyn Hare (though it actually sounds like it could be the B1 by Robert Natus). ‘This is what happens when men play with powerful toys’, says the breakdown and then bam, you’re covered from head to toe in dog shit. M7/M8

Viper XXL
’The Righteous Beast’
(BEAST)

Viper XXL has been on the scene now for a good few years and it’s been a pleasure to hear his tracks progress into what they are now. Beast 005 features a dramatic A1 from the Viper using the legendary Pulp Fiction vocal that will blow your head into the middle of next week (I know you’re heard it five thousand times, but I am not joking here) and flip to the B and you get Beast label bosses DJ Ogi and Daniel Gloomy on the remix tip. It’s a great package of music that you just have to check. M7/M8

The Space Djz
‘Action’
(FINE AUDIO)

Distributed by the now defunct Intergroove, this is going to be a bugger to find but you’ll be glad you did. This EP comes in four parts – ‘Action 1-4’ – so there’s plenty to tickle those hairs on the back of your neck should you feel the need to be stimulated in that manner. Yet should you require a more erotic experience, head for the A1 and make sure you say hello to the lovely lady in the main breakdown. Man, she’s nice. As usual Ben and Jamie from the Space Djz get it spot on with a bottom end that shakes. M7/M8

Various
Volume 1
(AROUND THE WORLD)

Men of the moment Viper XXL, Thomas Gee and the incredible Switchblade come together on this incredible first release from new label Around The World Recordings. If you like prancing around in pink shirts with frills then get the hell out of the room you big sausage, cause this is hard techno to an extreme. Viper takes the reins on the A-side and it’s a horse tranquilizers dream. But the real gem here is on the B-side with more nuttiness than a six-foot squirrel with big balls. M6/M8

Allan Banford
White Geishas
(NB)

A good little EP this one, aiming squarely for the minimal floor but with touch of weird eastern promise thrown in. It’s the breakdown that surprises the most, before off it rolls again with a series of electrically buzzing noises to keep you wired up to the speakers. This one has big support from the likes of John Acquaviva, Samuel L Sessions and DJ Misjah and is it any wonder why. Solid production with a purpose. M6/M8

Sylvain & Shark feat Neuropolitan
The Exit EP (UMEK Remix)
(JESUS LOVES YOU)

You have to give credit to UMEK for trying something new and for many, this is a leap in a completely different direction from his older stuff. The synth takes prime place, with in-yer-face melodic content and musical notes round every corner. As far as production goes, he’s got it pretty spot on, but it all boils down to whether you’re a fan of his new style. Not immediately playable, but worth checking out - just to see exactly what’s going on. M5/M8

My Robot Friend
‘Rapture’
(SOMA)

If 80’s computer nonsense is your bag then this is the release for you this month. My Robot Friend aka Howard Robot is Soma’s new signing from New York and it’s electro-pop at its best. Tune in immediately to the robotic vocal and prepare to be confused until the bassline wiggles your ass into next week. The Vector Lovers remix the track on the B-side admirably – with a more standard 4/4 club version of the track. This is a big recommendation if you used to own a ZX Spectrum. M8/M8

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