Amphia Romania 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Since returning to action in 2016 after a seven-year break, 1990s techno survivor Lee Renacre AKA 100 Hz has released some of the best music of his career. This fine four-tracker marks the long-serving Londoner's first outing on Romanian imprint Amphia, who are best known for serving up sparse, minimalistic tech-house. As you'd expect, there's a slightly fuller sound here, though sonically it's as pleasingly druggy and mind-mangling as much of the imprint's output. Renacre brilliantly flits between trippy, arpeggio-driven, house-tempo techno (the otherworldly 'Machines of May'), dubstep-influenced UK bass/techno fusion ('Gadget', which echoes the ethos of his early 100 Hz releases with James Chapman), intergalactic tech-house ('Dark as Night'), and frankly filthy low-end wobblers ('Swiss').

Review: SIT returns to Amphia with a new release; 'Urban Chronicles' is comprised of four tracks, each with its own distinctive sound reminiscent of early techno and house, especially their dreamier sides. The A launches in full swing with 'Synth City', a colorful, groovy tune, where in which vocal elements and airy synth lines blend together seamlessly. 'Dreamworx' continues in much the same fashion, adding an introspective counterpoint; finally, 'Parallel Pulses' and 'Fabricated Odyssey' make up the B-side, coming quirky and syncopated, with heavy bass lines and lively percussions. More than any other release from the catalogue, Amphia 025 is an exploration of pure instinct and emotion.