New releases today: Techno

Review: The '90s Groovez Vol 1: Back The Funk' EP from Planet Rhythm is a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of techno. With its retro-sounding basslines, house elements, and early rave influences, this EP captures the essence of a time when dance music was pushing boundaries. The title track, 'Back The Funk,' is a perfect example of this, with its infectious chord progressions and powerful bassline that demands attention. 'Beginners' transports listeners to the early days of rave culture in Belgium, while 'The Funk' will battle for deck privileges on any main floor. For those who have experienced the 1990s dance music scene, this EP offers a chance to relive those glory days. And for newcomers to the genre, it provides a taste of the era that shaped contemporary electronic music. We can't wait for Volume 2.

Review: There is a big-hitting trio of Detroit techno titans all featuring on this one EP: DJ 3000 is behind the originals which are 'Kazani', a serrated and corrugated electro-techno bumper with rigid metal synths and flashy synth melodies that dart about like fireflies, and thumping deep dub techno in the form of 'Work In Progress'. It is Jon Dixon who first remixes this one and remodelled it as a more hurried, hard edge and alien techno rhythm with bunce in the beats, and last of all DJ Godfather's remix races off to the cosmos with a classic bit of high-speed, frantic and synth-laced Detroit techno minimalism.

Review: Spaced Repetitions is a new label by veteran producer Manuel Tur who has always been known for his deliciously deep sound. For the imprint's fourth outing, he serves up two versions of a tune by Ingrid Lukas taken from last year's album ELUMELOODIA. The Estonian-Swiss singer, pianist and composer's angelic vocals remain in place up top as the dubby drums roll down low and all manner of icy synths and gassy melodic tinkles pepper the groove and get you into a celestial state of mind. The dub version allows that to come to the fore even more.