Scintillator Operator - Schizolectric (Audio Fugitives)

Andreaen Sand Dunes - Drexciya (Tresor)

Surface Terrestrial Colonization Drexciya (Tresor)

Hyper Orbit - The Burrell Connection (Craigie Knowes)

Title: Hyper Orbit

Artist: The Burrell Connection 

Label: Craigie Knowes

Cat Number: CKNOWEP11

Genre: Techno

1: Hyoer 14.255

2: Hyoer 480

3: Orbit 458

4: Orbit 512

This feels like a release spanning four facets of hardcore, with both ‘Orbit 458’ and ‘Orbit 512’ going down a chasm in search of solitude. As for the other two, they each have their own story to tell. Damned if I know what it is though. Much more frenetic they are; ‘Hyper 480’ is a little too busy for my ears, but the omnipresent cosmic lull that underpins it manages to maintain some semblance of control; it’s proto drum and bass coupled with chaos. ‘Hyper 14.255’ is a more dynamic reflection of ‘Orbit 512’, with breaks cascading over acid welts and deep, synthesized, resonant cataracts. This is a very versatile and interesting release that I can’t quite make my mind up about, but look forward to having many more meetings with.

Skudge 012 - Skudge (Skudge)

Title: Skudge 12

Artist: Skudge

Label: Skudge

Cat Number: SKUDGE012

Genre: Techno

A: Quasi

B: Parallel

Skudge keep it simple and understated on this double header, and in doing so send out mind bombs to those who believe that the minimal groove should be anything else but simple and understated. There’s not a lot going on here, but what does is quintessential dubbed out minimalism which mines a rich vein of linear, BC influenced techno. The louder this pair is played, the closer to nirvana you’ll get. Made for the mix, there will be times when they’ll stand on their own two feet, but for now all I can hear is the sound of level upon level of weaker shit being overlaid on either of these tracks in order to achieve transition.

Chi Chi Pensa, Rimane Senza - Patagonia (PanickPanick!)

Title: Chi Chi Pensa/Rimane Senza

Artist: Patagonia

Label: PanickPanick!

Cat Number: PP04

Genre: Minimal House/Techno

1: Chi Chi Pensa

2: Rimane Senza

Ostensibly composed of nothing, except wind and air, ‘Chi Chi Pensa’ is just the type of thing I used to love throwing shapes to down at Wiggle at the end of the last century. A throbbing, cardiac base underpins a driving groove which is interrupted by some high end synth stabs and breathy female vocals; (I doubt they would have been too much of a feature under London Bridge’s arches, and possibly reflect something a bit more sinister). ‘Rimane Senza’, on the other hand, feels undercooked and over reliant on a grandiose, posturing vocal sample. It bowls along gamely enough though, which is nice.

Galaxy Tale - Geek (Lumbago)