Ararapira Jazz - Cesare vs Disorder (Vakant)

Title: Ararapira Jazz

Artist: Cesare vs Disorder

Label: Vakant

Cat Number: VA072

Genre: Minimal House/Techno

A1: Dinner With Bogdan

A2: Ararapira Jazz

B1: Ararpira Jazz (Spacetravel Mix)

B2: Desorientado feat. Sabino

This is an EP which, for me at least, represents what I both like and dislike about the minimal approach to house and techno. So it’s a game of two halves then on my puny system: I say this knowing that the heights can be hit on more powerful istallations, thus rendering my sonic judgements open to criticism. ‘Dinner With Bogdan’ and ‘Desorientado’ are in one corner, the good one. Each of these tracks has funk and range, with the latter appropriately being a little wonkier and trippier than the former. The original mix of ‘Ararapira Jazz’ is, on the other hand, largely redundant of bass and plays to minimal’s high end. Spacetravel’s version improves things, and takes things into a more off-kilter direction in the process, which is nice.

Emotional Intelligence - Darren Nye (FireScope Records)

Title: Emotional Intelligence

Artist: Darren Nye

Label: FireScope Records

Cat Number: FS010

Genre: Techno

A1: Things She Said

A2: Emulated Emotion

B1: Plasmid Soul

B2: Fragments

B3: Disconnected Reality

With recent releases from Derek Carr, Steven Rutter and John Shima under its multi-coloured vinyl belt, FireScope currently holds a lot of aces as far as the stellar techno game is concerned. Darren Nye has apparently been writing music for over twenty years, but this is his first release on vinyl and, as such, fits the FireScope bill perfectly. This also means, however, that you know what you’re letting yourself in for before the needle hits the groove. Darren Nye’s take on the sound advanced by his influences is an introspective one, rarely getting out of second gear, but all the while creating lush, intergalactic soundscapes which have a contemplative slant. It’s a consistent release, with the temperature raised a little by ‘Plasmid Soul’ and ‘Fragments’ whose electro flirtations constantly threaten to break the diaphanous mould which characterizes the rest of the EP, but stop short of quite doing so.

Cafe Dancing Lights (Krjuk edit) - Alla Pugacheva (The Very Polish Cut Outs)

Flux - Shifted Phases (Drexciya) (Tresor)

The Midnight Manual - V/A (Midnight Shift)

Title: The Midnight Manual

Artist: V/A

Label: Midnight Shift

Cat Number: MNSX5Y

Genre: Techno/

A1: Barnhohl – Hodge & Gramrcy

A2: Rymdhattens Resa – Knutsson/Berg

B1: Power Grab – Mark Foreshaw

B2: Iron Boat – Harmonius Thelonius

C1: Joie Automoatique – Amato

C2: A Last Time For – INNSYTER

D1: Turbine – Thermocline

D2: The Gurning Veneer – Terry Lamborghini

A mixed bag, characterized mostly by an upfront urgency and occasional discord, it’s perhaps no surprise then to learn that when it goes slightly off the beaten track and explores a more organic side, as in ‘Iron Boat’, then one sits up and takes more notice. That’s not to say that there isn’t other good stuff to be discovered here as well. Mark Forshaw’s Detroit-inflected ‘Power Grab’ is as good as its word, and the tribal-infused dense breaks of ‘Rymdhattens Resa’ and the stark, plucked electro of ‘Amato’ all engage the synapses and the senses. Compilations which feel smoothed out have always felt a little suspect. This one has quite a few rough edges, thankfully.

Wav. Form - Simulant (Scopex)

Wav. Form - Simulant (Scopex)

Hooter (Carl Craig Remix) - Ultramarine (Blanco Y Negro)

Electronic Warfare (Drexciya Electric Eel Mix) - Unerground Resistance (UR)

Electroluv - The 4th Wave (Planet E)

Fiere EP - Com Sin (Sound Of Vast)

Title: Fiere EP 

Artist: Com Sin

Label: Sound Of Vast

Cat Number: SOV013

Genre: Techno

A1: Fiere

B1: Vedenie

B2: Miere

Straddling the nether regions of minimal and techno, Cosmin TRG is one of the genre’s more singular voices at large today, someone who, on this release, lets slip a glimpse into a world where layer upon layer of gossamer –like sound is held together by the strongest of sonic sinews. If I had to say what sound these beats make in my mind’s ear it would have to be that of a spider’s web vibrating under attack from a downpour. With ‘Vedenie’ being the most evocative of this particular sensation. These are high tensile beats which belie their apparent ragility in order to relay other worldly messages that ultimately emanate from closer to home.

Nocturnal Lullabies EP - Estroe (Rosedale Records)

Title: Nocturnal Lullabies EP

Artist: Estroe

Label: Rosedale Records

Cat Number: ROSE022

Genre: House

1: Borderline (2018 Version)

2: Borderline (D. Diggler Remix)

3: Nightshift

4: Slaapliedje

Both versions of ‘Borderline’ are wonderful. Diggler’s isn’t that great a departure from the original, but it’s more bass heavy, which gives it the edge over the more fragile ‘2018 Version’ in my considered opinion. There is also a shared sense of destiny at play here. Both ‘Nightshift’ and ‘Slaapliedje’ share a crepuscular sensibility with ‘Borderline (2018 Version)’ and contribute to the overall dreamy tone of the release. Not surprising when you see what it’s called. The type of more up tempo offering that one should play when getting into a floatation tank, if there are any still around.