Network 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: 2020 marks the 30th birthday of Network Records, a label that did arguably more than any other in the early 90s to champion both US and UK techno. As part of their celebrations they'll be reissuing some key singles and albums from their catalogue, starting with this 1991 compilation of key Derrick May productions. Now stretched across two slabs of wax rather than one to guarantee a louder cut, "Innovator" contains a wealth of vital early Motor City techno classics, from the acid-powered insanity of "Nude Photo" and the rushing, piano-heavy rush of "Strings of Life", to the thrilling sci-fi futurism of "Wiggin" and the deep techno warmth of "Hand Over Hand".

Review: Since booting up again a couple of years ago, Network Records has released an enticing mix of re-mastered catalogue classics and fresh remixes. This double vinyl collection maintains that approach by pairing vintage reworks from the vaults with recently commissioned revisions. There's naturally plenty of high-grade floor fodder on show, with our picks including Chez Damier and Ron Trent's wonderful 1996 Urban Sound Gallery mix of Andrew Pearce's gospel-tinged house treat 'Day By Day', Xen Mantra's sweaty, warehouse-ready 1994 rave re-fix of Slo Moshun's 'Bells of New York', Derrick May's vintage Motor City techno fix of Neal Howard's 'To Be Or Not To Be', and a pleasingly weighty and sleazy Sequel re-rub of Rhythmatic's 'Demons'.