New releases today: All genres

Review: Zodiak Commune has become a tried and true outpost for edgy electro in recent times, and they've been incubating the talent of Dima Gastroler across a run of releases in 2024. The run of form continues as Gastroler locks in with 'Zero Tolerance', an icy blast of machine funk with strafing synths in the classic electro style. There's similar movement sweeping across 'REConnection', albeit with more pronounced acidity in the lead lines. 'Instinct' keeps the pressure up with the dirtiest of basslines and razor sharp beats, and then a more melodic tint creeps into EP closer 'Agnetic Storm' to end the record on a more sombre note.

Review: Jazz Is Dead continues its tradition of honouring jazz legends while pushing boundaries with Remixes JID020. Featuring dynamic remixes from contemporary artists, the album breathes new life into classics from the series. Mophono's reinvention of Tony Allen's 'Don't Believe the Dancers' pays homage to Afrobeat traditions, while Melanie Charles adds a refreshing ode to Blackness in her remix of Jean Carne's 'Black Rainbows.' Shabaka Hutchins' take on Henry Franklin's 'African Sun' merges West African rhythms with jazz modalities, creating a mesmerizing musical meditation. Throughout JID020, the spirit of collaboration shines, with artists staying true to their unique sounds while preserving the essence of the original recordings. This album not only adds depth to the Jazz Is Dead catalogue but also highlights the timeless appeal of jazz fusion and the power of cross-generational collaboration in keeping the genre alive and vibrant.

Review: Cyphon Recordings celebrates its tenth release with Emotive Technology, a new project by Chilean artist Massiande. The five-track EP offers soul-stirring techno spanning various styles. Despite being his debut under this alias, Massiande boasts a decade-long career, releasing music on esteemed labels like Housewax and Phonica. The EP kicks off with 'Rise,' a fusion of new beat and arp-operated techno, setting the stage for peak-time euphoria. Tracks like 'It's On' and 'Your Zone' dive deeper into hypnotic rhythms, while 'Walk Into The Light' pays homage to Detroit's techno legacy. Closing with 'The Swing,' the EP captivates with its resonating synths and pulsating basslines, embodying machine music with soulful depth.

Review: Balkan Vinyl has a strong resume of releasing excellent 90s inspired IDM and electro since the first release in 2010. Veteran producers Posthuman (Cousins Richard Bevan and Joshua Doherty) own and run the UK label. For this release they call upon a legendary friend Luke Vibert, to make a staggeringly great, joint EP. 'Still In Love' kicks off the record and brings Luke's familiar acid techniques to the party while sampling classic 80s and 90s dance tracks and samples within it. 'Android Webber' is quintessential sound Vibert is known for that balances a quirky IDM grit and a downtempo slow jam. For the B-Side, Posthuman offers the futuristic electro stormer 'Grad' followed by the sexy, slow burner 'Forever Circles'. A match made in acid house heaven.

Review: New Jackson delivers the much-anticipated successor to 2017's From Night To Night in there form of OOPS!... POP on Permanent Vacation. This concise triumph in techno pop comprises nine tracks that elevate his signature electronic sounds to anthemic heights. David Kitt, a sonic polymath with a colourful career, has been working as New Jackson since 2011. This full length showcases Kitt's evolution over five years and three countries, distilling his studio methodology into a leaner, more euphoric body of work. Collaborating with a stellar cast, including Rita Lynn and Donnacha Costello, Kitt crafts an album that effortlessly combines dynamism and spontaneity, drawing from a century of influences. From the mesmerising opener to the climactic "With The Night At Our Feet', this album is a testament to Kitt's widescreen approach.

Review: The crucial Mr K is back with a special repress for Record Store Day 2024. This one throws it back to his two superb edits of Kratwerk's 'Trans Euro Express' which is cited often as the start of techno. Side A offers stripped-down, bare drum bones, with naked drums shaped into futuristic fusion, while Part II adds synthetic context. Deconstructing Kraftwerk's original sci-fi masterpiece at a slow, smouldering pace, it presents a classic in an entirely new light. This release unlocks doors of serious DJ creativity and should be snapped up quickly before it's gone again.