Blackout Audio/M8 Techno Reviews Dec 2005

Techno Reviews M8 Magazine/Blackout Audio - December 2005

Single Of The Month 1

Richie Hawtin
‘The Tunnel’
(NOVAMUTE)

This is simply the best track taken from Richie’s recent DE9 album. A rolling minimal techno groove plods on and on for what seems like perpetuity as FX splashes, beat changes, and throbbing soundscapes litter your vision and you’re given a slow lesson in the art of music making. It’s almost like going on an endless LSD experience into the forbidden forest, where trees mutate into little brown princesses and the grass becomes a floating sea of valium. You really can’t underestimate the production genius here – Richie Hawtin comes up with his best work since his early Plus 8 releases. Stunning. M8/M8

Single Of The Month 2

Various
Hydraulix 13.5 Remixes
(HYDRAULIX)

The latest in the Hydraulix remix series. For those that don’t know this is an ongoing set of remix EP’s and yup, you guessed it, we’re up to number five. It is perhaps one of the toughest EP’s to review in the whole series, not only because every time you put it on the decks your butt flies seventy yards into the sky, but also because the whole neighbourhood are after a copy and you just can’t take your eyes off it without fear of it getting nicked. Look, sod the review, just buy it. This is one of the best Dave The Drummer productions ever. ‘Move it up and down like a Chevy 64’. Ingenious. M8/M8

Album Of The Month

DJ Hell
Best Of Hell (92-05)
(GIGOLOS)

Well what can you say? One of the coolest cats in techno, one of the biggest contributors to our movement - DJ Hell does what he does in total style with nothing but music at the forefront of his agenda. This album is completely essential to anyone who cares even an ounce about sound and it’s something that makes you realise that even back in 1992, this guy held the key to our music. From the legendary ‘My Definition Of House Music’ to ‘Like This’ (which Dave Clarke released on gorgeous brown vinyl on his Magnetic North label in the early 90’s), this album has everything. There’s even a bonus CD that sports some amazing remixes of some of his newest album material (check the sexy slow acid remix in the first half of the album – worth the album purchase alone). If you don’t get this you really do deserve to go to hell – and back. M8/M8


WJ Henze
‘Industrial Target’
(Supersonic Combustion)

Henze has been super-impressive lately. There’s an emerging quality to his work that is rarely touched in the world of hard techno these days. The kick is ultra-low, and the track is expertly compressed – so much so the hats suck you into the track like nothing you’ll have heard from him before. A strange guitar style sound throws you at first, but give this one a chance and it soon becomes the key feature, ducking and diving in and out of the mix. Essential. M8/M8

Ignitian Technician
‘Untitled’
(Pirate Audio)

Never write these guys off. What we have here is probably their best work since they slowed the beats down and opted for a more clubby sound. Often scoured by some in the techno community as formulated, Ignitian Technican stick a swift two fingered salute in the general direction of their critics and drop this bomb on the dance floor. The bass-line is infectious to say the least but the ‘One Track Mind’ sample is what really makes this baby purr. M8/M8

J-Dubya
‘I-Funk EP’
(PRO-AM)

The A1 of this new Pro-Am EP sees some heavy crossover B-Pitch style techno slap you in places you haven’t been slapped before. There’s a severe electro edge to this little gem but every now and then you get live tribal percussion thrown in to stunning effect. The other three tracks all serve as pretty standard set fillers, but it’s the A1 that nicks all the peanuts. M6/M8

Cari Lekebusch
‘Handle With Care EP’
(AUDIO EMOTIONS)

Prepare to be blown off your feet when this one enters the building. Cari Lekebusch is one of the originators of the European techno sound and even now, he’s still up there with the best of the best making music that sets serious standards. Of particular interest here is the A-side – something a little harder than what we’ve been used to from him in recent years. Listen out for the strange vocal sound that rips your head off at various points throughout the track, especially during the break. M8/M8

The Divide And John Vella
‘Carnival Knowledge’
(BETAMAX)

Previously releasing as Fernando on Construct Rhythm, Leeds based The Divide is already respected in underground circles of techno. But now he teams up with Canadian muscle man John Vella for a grueling gym workout that puts strange white powder in your breakfast juice and the power to give Britney a damn good licking. There’s an insane laughing noise in the background too - that does nothing but make you incessantly paranoid about the size of your private anatomy. For a new label, this is one amazing release. M8/M8

Urban Warrior Vs The Mantis
‘The Resistance’
(Heroes International)

The international off shoot of the Heroes label is already upto its third release and this one is a love machine of sound. Kicking straight off with a dark, shuffling beast of a track, this one licks even the most stubborn of individuals into some furious filthy floor action. The electro mix is a true classic and although the B1 is one for the club speakers, you’ll be mesmerized by the cleverness of the final track ‘Ambush’ – something that will erupt any room into gang-bang central. M7/M8

Thomas Christopher + Steve Payne
‘Introvex EP’
(TCP)

The Patrik Skoog remix that appeared on the first TCP release was in my box for what seemed like forever. But right now the label has re-entered with the strength of a thousand oxen (?) after producing this seriously mind bending remix from none other that Valentino Kanzyani. It all starts off pleasant enough, but from the moment the first breakdown happens, you’re thrown into near panic until a computerized voice tells you you’re about to get locked up and beheaded. Almost immediately the bass line steps up a gear, a nightmarish ride enters the building and boom - your head is yanked off and instantly disappears down the back garden. Thanks very much TCP. M8/M8

Mark Hawkins
‘Blood Money EP’
(FEINWERK)

Critically acclaimed for his previous work on labels such as Mosquito and Djax, Mark Hawkins produces music that copies none and speaks in a different language. This particular release shows an absurd diversity and with the first track outdoing itself with a half-beat kick and almost knife sharpening ‘watch your neck’ paranoia to it, you’re uncomfortably strapped to your seat and waiting to be ridden like a dog. Disappointed you are not, as the following two 4/4 numbers do exactly the damage they were intended to. But the real talent here is demonstrated on the B2 – emotional and haunting electro that leaves your underpants soaked. M7/M8

The Machinist
‘Freakstyle EP’
(4X4)

Julian Liberator and Dave The Drummer join hands for this latest 4x4 clonker - something that makes great peak time stuff if you beat yourself with a can of Tesco plum tomatoes whilst it’s playing. Although the A1 track is the obvious player, the B1 is the killer – a wet dream of a final track for your DJ set. Add to that a hard but mesmerizing piece of nipple tweaking on the B2 and you’ve got a pretty sharp EP here. M6/M8

Kiki and Gino’s Feat Naommon
‘Shake The Bunker’
(HOT BANANA)

Electronic Body Music or EBM is the key here - a brand of tough aggressive electro with it’s roots in punk and electro. ‘Shake The Bunker’ might be the one fronted as the main track but a dull and slightly strange eq on the vocal means it doesn’t really stand up for international appeal. Switch over to ‘Operator’ on the B-side however and you’ve got fish that swims in an entirely different school. Almost like old Belgian techno fused with electro crossed with some of the freshest arpeggiation you’ll have heard in years. Please give us more music like this Mr Banana. M8/M8



Let me know what ya think guys!!!