Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Armed with analogue and modular synthesisers, Southern Italian producers Marco Cassanelli and Deckard take you on an emotive journey inspired by geometry and symmetry for T.A. Rock Records - a small indie label out of sunny Trani, Puglia established 2010. The Splitted EP starts out with the desolate dub techno textures of 'Abandoned Town' while the spaced-out cut 'Triangle' and the hypnotising 'Rectangle' (part 1) make for more experimentally minded tracks.

Review: Deadbeat, the Montreal-based dub techno maestro, returns to Echocord with a trio of immersive and hypnotic tracks. 'Pressure Double Down' showcases Deadbeat's signature sound, a blend of dub-infused techno and minimal aesthetics that has captivated listeners for over two decades. 'Too Much Pressure' is a 15-minute odyssey through intricate percussion, dubbed-out stabs and psychedelic vocals, its subtly unfurling layers and nuanced dynamism creating a captivating sonic experience. 'Double Bubble' follows with a delicate interplay of chord melodies, sub-bass tones and a crunchy analogue rhythm section, its hypnotic groove drawing the listener into a world of sonic exploration. 'Rattle The Roof Down' closes out the EP with a heavy dose of dub reggae bass, its spacey delays and murky swells adding a layer of hypnotic depth.

Review: The Aniara label out of Sweden has always come at things from its own sideways perspective whether dealing in house, techno, or something in between. This new two track 12" allows different artists to take care of one side each, beginning with DJ Marathon's 'Track 1.' It is the sort of breezy, balmy cut that encourages your mind to wander amongst the stars as you get lost in the pulsing deep house beats. Ebende's 'Elevate' picks up the pace but remains a dubby delight, with warm, molten chords rippling out to infinity and cuddly kicks carrying you to a mindful place.

Review: The Piranha label rolls out its third offering here and it is some high class and heady dub techno excellence from Dub Fu Masters. It is their version of Son of Abe's 'Mr Frosty' that opens up with some psychedelic synths worming their way through rolling beats as acid lines bring texture. Q3's 'NJB' (vs dub Fu Masters) has a filthyTwo Lone Swordsman style bassline underlining snappy drum hits while a sultry sax line also comes in to make for a tight, original sound. Dub Fu Masters then shut down with 'Herb Was Created' which is a menacing and low-slung dub cut with plenty of reverb and another dirty and brilliant bassline.

Review: Dutch artist Frenk Dublin is evidently a master of minimalism and sublimation, with his new EP for Echo Ltd. here somehow managing to convey abyssal levels of depth, all while not seeming to reveal too much or indulge too many complex parts. It's this paradox that rests at the heart of dub techno; like dubstep, the trick is to emphasise weight and space, while layering things subtly enough not to betray the mystery. It's a well-deserved release for the esteemed label, following up priors on Dub Communication and Planet Rhythm. The most polished gem? 'Static Dub', which uniquely blends both high and low chord stabs, and gets them to take up wholly different rhythm- and freqspace.

Review: Leading Romanian minimal proponent Dubtil is packed with some literally and metaphorically heavyweight wax via the Playedby label out of his homeland. 'I' kicks off with lush under-lapping grooves and silky pads that mesh perfectly with the lithe bass. It's loose body music followed by 'II', a darker cut with snaking and paranoid bass and crispy hits pinging off the groove. 'III' brings more layers of symphonic sound over tight, pinging kicks that meander onwards and sink you into a meditative state. 'IV' closes out with a more sparse and eerie vibe, occasional hits and lazy dub vibes that cast your mind free.

Review: The good folks at Baroque Sunburst are back with a 12th EP that once again takes minimal and tech house into new realms. Jay Duncan is at the buttons and 'Bitten Dream' opens up with dark moody and abstract sound swirling around a cosmic world. 'Via Tekh' is another out-there sound with beautiful ambient pads and warped, sparse bass keeping you afloat. 'Shrine' keeps the sophisticated sounds coming with more deft designs and original drum sounds and 'Catharsis' then closes down with a smooth and absorbing fusion of synths and drums from a reduced palette.

Review: Hamatsuki and DJ Astrobee have the honour of being the first artists to release on the newly formed Summoning label. They take one side each with Hamatsuki's 'Nemolizubam' licking off with some intense, synth-laden techno that is lithe and dynamic as it unfolds. 'Whitecap' is more textured and riddled with bleeping synths and tumbling melodic rain. DJ Astrobee gets dubby with 'Oslo' which has warped synth smears and snappy kick and clap combos. His second offering 'Mother Sun' is a richly emotive techno sound that oozes hi-tek soul.

Review: The 10th release in this various artists' series from the Afterme label out of Russia welcomes a pair of producers who collaborate on a brace of A-side jams to start with. 'XXVII' is deft, artful late night dub house and final cut with widescreen synths and oily bass, and the second, 'DOV', is a deep, aquatic house number with some meaningful synth work and cosmic intent up top. On the flipside, De Yan goes solo, twice, with more dubbed-out and unhurried atmospheric tech on 'Pumpe' and some spaced-out electronics on 'Shks' to close a stylish and cerebral EP.

Review: DJ Sotofett returns with a double 12" packed with eight hard-hitting, underground techno tracks. Featuring frequent collaborators LNS, L.A. 2000, Ronny Nyheim, and Zarate_Fix, this release is a direct nod to the no-nonsense techno nights at Berlin's iconic Tresor club, where Sotofett holds residency. Each track is crafted with pure dancefloor energy in mind, moving through dub-driven techno, acidic overtones, and percussive basslines, all delivered with a raw, uncompromising edge. WANIA mk1 is a masterclass in DJ-ready versatility, perfect for those who love their techno stripped back and potent. Standout cuts include the bombastic, percussion-heavy Preparation and the 909-vocoder-fuelled My Spirit Is In Techno Music, both of which exemplify the release's dedication to the underground essence of the genre. With alternative mixes from WANIA mk2 making an appearance, the album offers both continuity and innovation, keeping true techno fans hooked from start to finish. Sotofett's attention to detail in programming, mixing, and mastering is evident throughout, making this a must-have for DJs and clubbers who live and breathe the core of real, unfiltered techno music. WANIA mk1 isn't just an album; it's a statement for those who value authenticity in their club experience.