KOLTER 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Kolter, hailing from Cologne, Germany, delivers a fresh - we don't use the word lightly - new four-tracker, 'That Was Fresh'. Centring nominally on the infamous literal breakbeat vocal sample, this EP plays out as a contemporary take on the breakdances and funk backbeats come electronic dance bangers of yore. Beginning with an impossible-missioned eponymous A-sider, before moving into flat beat electro house of 'This Is It' and the cascading metro-synths of 'Feel', before finally concluding on the retro trance rejoinder, 'I'm Fine, Thanks!', there's really something here for everyone.

Review: Johannes Kolter is Kolter and is also a producer who went under the name DJOKO. He's been busy this year with plenty of goodness dropping including an album and three EPs. Now comes hit sone, again on his home label Pilot. It is inventive stuff that functions well on the floor as it straddles the worlds of breaks, house and plenty more. 'Got High Again' is lively and dynamic with its squealing leads and dusty breaks, then 'Weirdo' layers up leftfield melodies and blurts of playful synth modulation. 'Prospekt' is a wild fusion of rock riffs and high-speed funky breaks and 'Duck Concert' closes with hardcore drum breaks and soulful synths next to mad scratchinG.

Review: Johannes Kolter is Kolter, an artist formerly known as DJOKO, and now a hotly tipped breaks and garage head who has already got plenty of attention. Here though he makes a grand and widescreen statement with the first release on the all-new Pilot label. It is a stylish and adventurous record with plenty of killer cuts from the downbeat hip hop opener to the deep house delights of 'Journey' via the elastic and energetic future house kicks of 'Roboflow.' Showcasing both a knack for well craft synths and expert drum programming precisions, this record plays out like a mini DJ set with all the twists and turns you need to keep you on your toes and fully engaged.

Review: London's Mindhelmet label continue on strong with the whopping 14th top-up to their vinyl-only 12"s series. This time they welcome Cologne's very own Johannes Kolter to the fore, for four originals compared to his usual penchant for edits. Glitzy sonic skylines come portrayed on the likes of 'Euro Night' and 'Eternity', with hints of Italo and electro-pop conjuring mental glimpses of high-end fashion houses and handbags, while 'Crashy' revels in a skilful use of speed garage swing reminiscent of MJ Cole's production approach; finally, closer 'Lion, Ne Kaufen' indulges a muted chord sequence for a eventidal rave vibe.

Review: Kolter is back on his own Koltarx label for a second outing on vinyl that once again sets its sights on the stars. 'Search & Discover' is a great mix of serious tech drums, characterful robo-vocals and withering melodies that has something for everyone. 'Keep Bustin' will indeed keep you busting moves with its garage tinged house shuffle and jazzy chord work while its the leggy, rubbery bassline funk of 'You Can Have It All' that provides the EP's highlight. Last up, 'I Need A Fix' is more intense with its busy synths and acid daubs. This is a colourful and vibrant brand of minimal and tech house from a mainstay of the sound.

Review: The first release on Johannes Kolter's (f.k.a. DJOKO new imprint, Koltrax, is a supremely funky mixture of tech house and funkstep helmed by the tongue-in-cheek 'Please Don't Call Me', that features multitudes of goofy vocal passages and telephone samples. The Cologne native has a unique blend of goofy late-noughties electrofunk sensibility combined with an undeniable German groove, somewhat reminiscent of Ryoji Yoshitomi and the ever-influential Hideki Naganuma with a sprinkle of Fatboy Slim. Tracks like 'Bust a Beat' are versatile jams to cut up on the dancefloor to - just as impactful on your home speaker system as it would be on a festival soundstage. This initial release has set an extremely high bar for Kolter to follow.

Review: Cologne's Hoove label makes a welcome return here with more fresh and contemporary house offerings from a range of interesting names. The always reliable Kolter is up first with 'U Make Me Feel' - a nice and inviting, well swung and mid tempo tech cut with some astral pads. J. Feierabend & Rami's 'OK, Captain!' is just as smooth a cruise through space and Thalo Santana then offers something a little different with a more drum led sound - 'Duradura' has pristine kicks and snares with incidental melodies unfurling up high. D&J's lovely 90s throwback deep house sound 'So We Danced' might be the best of the lot.