Techno Recommendations Best Of 2010

Review: One of the biggest techno anthems of the past 10 years, "The Bells" was originally out as part of the "Kat Moda" EP back in mid-90s. Whenever it's played the response is euphoric and it still rocks a set to this day. Flip for reworked versions of "Gift Of The Hills" and "Circus" from earlier Purpose Maker EPs!

Review: The presence of Model 500 on R&S some 11 years after their last appearance on the somewhat seminal label is further evidence of their new ethos of programming releases from past masters (Fabrice Lig) and future production icons (James Blake & Pariah). Model 500 in its current form includes techno founder Juan Atkins along with UR type Mad Mike, Detroit producer DJ Skurge and tartan fancier Mark Taylor. "OFI" marks the first recorded material from the quartet, vintage unhinged techno funk augmented by robotic vocals from Mr Atkins himself. Mad Mike Banks adds a further sheen of his own personal techno vision on a remix that retains the melodic core but strips back proceedings to a proper UR crunch. On the flip, "Huesca" unfolds in mesmerising fashion, with soaring arrangements driven along by a direct punchy groove.

Review: The second Reality Or Nothing release of the week comes replete with three new remixes of the previously unreleased title track (which was made back in 1998 and his hidden in the techno vault of the Sandwell District crew ever since), plus a demo version of the original which is steeped in melodic atmospherics. Function, CH-Signal and Silent Servant all chip in with remixes in what serves as a must-have for Sandwell District completists - the Function version in particular brings the big room vibe to the table. These 12"s also serve as a mouth whetting appetiser for the debut Sandwell album, which is due to hit the shelves this month.

Review: Baeks and Trias aka Ancient Methods return with the fifth in their series of relentless industrial techno bombs. The unnamed A Side track sounds like Sir Jeff of Detroit in his Tresor pomp, hardly surprising considering both of these chaps have been around since the first wave of Berlin techno. The Juno highlight however has be the second B Side track, which is an absolute growling monster.

Review: We here at Juno long ago gave up speculating as to who is behind the mysterious Frozen Border imprint - we found it much healthier to just sit back and listen. The sixth edition kicks off where 05 left off - almost unfeasibly cavernous chords melting against a slow but unrelenting assault from a syncopated drum pattern. What sounds like a tortured, scuffled horn comes in to float over the top of it all for a slab of music that is so powerful it makes your stomach tingle. The equally menacing "Track 2", not merely content to live in the shadow of the A-Side, crafts its own after hours groove through shuffling snares and a rock solid kick drum, which sound as if they were produced by leaving a tape recorder in a metalworks factory. For a label famed for its stripped back techno, this is probably the toughest release yet. Highly recommended. .

Review: Martyn and Roman Lindau are first up on this series of EPs to coincide with Ben Klock's impressive Berghain 04 mix, and it's a must have for fans of deep techno steppers. 'Miniluv' sees Martyn delve into the traditional rhythms of 4/4, with an infectious chime groove sounding out over a shuffling etheral techno beat as lasers shoot out from the depths of the prodduction. Roman Lindau gets all moody on us with the industrial 'Keppra' the subtle patter of pads barely audible below the shuddering growl of the bass line. One of the best releases so far this year.

Review: Kyle Hall aside, it's hard to pick two up-and-coming producers better suited to the task of giving Anthony Shake Shakir's off kilter Detroitisms a contemporary tweak than FaltyDL and Space Dimension Controller. In the first of two Rush Hour-curated releases, Belfast youngster SDC, fresh off a stunning EP released on resurgent Belgian imprint R&S, turns his intergalactic remixing hand on the seminal "Detroit State Of Mind", first released in 1998. He slows down the tempo here, opting for slo-mo, bubbling synths, claps and a vintage analogue electro-disco funk melodies that are fast becoming the SDC signature sound. FaltyDL (real name Drew Lustman) meanwhile remixes "Assimilated" over on the flip. Despite being based in New York, Falty's sound has its roots in the UK, with his releases displaying a clear affection for dubstep, funky and old-school garage as well as house. On this effort he goes for a dense, layered approach, with snare hits busily chopping and changing direction amid a flurry of analogue squiggles, with a bassline groove that is slowed down, tweaked and generally messed with in an insouciant manner that would no doubt make Shakir smile. More than merely a nice idea for a remix project, this release serves as a neat snapshot of what electronic music is all about in 2010: a fertile breeding ground between genres, eras and continents, with one foot respectfully planted in the past and the other holding the door open for the future.