The August 2018 Mix - Pt. 2

Time for the second August mix, which starts out a bit slowly but progresses into an all-out techno fest. Featuring the sounds of deep, funky, melodic and hard techno, all the tracks played here come from our daily selection from Aug. 16-31. This time, the cover pays respect to Laika, the first living, breathing being to get launched into space. So, here´s to you, you wonderful space dog!

Tracklist:

1.- Architechtural - Romanticism Movement
2.- Fairmont - Brothers Keeper
3.- Shane Fontane - Mystic
4.- Maksim Dark - Phantom (Carbon Remix)
5.- Alex Mine - Lost (2018 Version)
6.- Ambivalent & Alden Tyrell - Dutchless
7.- Christian Nielsen - Carte Blanche
8.- Frank Biazzi - Reflection
9.- Keith Carnal - Untold
10.- A.S.H - Vortex
11.- Jay Lumen - Trust
12.- Cristian Varela - Ambitious
13.- Magna Pia - Venus Genetrix
14.- Coyu & Green Velvet - The Last Generation
15.- KlangKuenstler - Cathedral of Saw
16.- David Granha - Balea

Magna Pia - Venus Genetrix

From his composer´s standpoint, Magna Ria turns techno into an intricate and complex moving structure that is nonetheless solid as a rock. With Venus Genetrix, title cut of his latest EP on Soma Records, he shows us the grooves he´s able to craft by matching layers of reverberating synths with steamroller beats.

Christian Nielsen - Carte Blanche

Copenhagen DJ and producer Christian Nielsen brings us Vixen, his latest EP on Of Unsound Mind,  with four solid slabs of down and dirty techno, including Sleep Walking, a track made in collaboration with Skream that is also worth mentioning. But today we´ll focus on Carte Blanche, a wicked jackin´ cut with a very nasty dark side, which makes for a thrilling time on the dance floor.

Ambivalent & Alden Tyrell - Dutchless

With a low frequency grumble sticking to the chugging rhythms and synth stabs washing over them like angry waves, Dutchless brings techno to the edge of darkness and light and peeks at the abyss, coming back with solid footing and firm determination. Featured in Ambivalent and Alden Tyrell´s Detente EP, on Cocoon Records.

KlangKuenstler - Cathedral of Saw

A dark and menacing techno blizzard is what we get with Cathedral of Saw, KlangKuenstler´s opening and title cut of his latest EP on Filth On Acid. Fast, plummeting kicks stomp away while buzzing synths give a very sharp edge to this bone-crushing track.

Frank Biazzi - Reflection

Frank Biazzi was a staple in Belgium´s techno scene since 1996, acclaimed by both audiences and peers, until he had to retire in 2004 due to an ear problem. He returned 8 years later with renewed energy playing in clubs and events, while also starting his own Trauma Records label. He keeps it tight when producing as well, bringing us two white-hot techno tracks on his Reflection EP, out on Intec, with the title cut carrying a wicked groove and plenty of growling goodness.

Alex Mine - Lost (2018 Version)

Turin´s Alex Mine brings us his reworking of his original 2017 tune Lost, accompanied by scorching remixes by Carl Cox and Roberto Capuano on Terminal M´s Lost 2018 EP. But it´s Mine´s unique touch what sets this heady, tough remake apart from the rest, his expertise in creating dark and hypnotic techno cuts that fill our need for killer beats.

Cristian Varela - Ambitious

As one of Spain´s most influential techno DJs and producers, Cristian Varela is by now an established name behind the decks as well as in the promotional circuit. Despite a packed schedule, he still finds time to churn out bangers such as Ambitious, from his Discipline EP on Emphatic Records. Rolling toms and industrial stylings give the tune a sharp, yet groovy, edge, perfect for unleashing madness upon the dancefloor.

Coyu & Green Velvet - The Last Generation

Hard beats and hypnotic vocals are the results of The Last Generation, a collaboration between Barcelona techno producer and Suara boss Coyu, and prolific Chicago dance music visionary Green Velvet. Both artists bring their A-game to this track and do not disappoint.

 

Shane Fontane - Mystic

Shane Fontane is a man on a mission: to craft psychedelic, mystical and deep techno tunes and release them on his San Francisco-based label A Deep Within. Mystic is a track that proves that Fontane is dead-serious about the hypnotic power of techno grooves: with uplifting synths and an irresistible beat, he draws us in and compels us to stay in his hazy domain.

Maksim Dark - Phantom (Carbon Remix)

Hamburg DJ and producer Carbon tackles Maksim Dark´s new track Phantom and infuses it with a distinctive groove, bringing out the tune´s most danceable aspects while keeping its darker undertones as well. 

Architechtural - Romanticism Movement

Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, Architechtural is a producer whose work explores the deepest confines of the techno spectrum, and Romanticism Movement, the opening track of the A Girl With No Friends EP released by Ellum Black, is a tune that slowly unfolds and reveals the many dimensions of the sound of the genre, accompanied by a simple, steady beat. 

Jay Lumen - Trust

A true titan when it comes to techno dancefloor destroyers, Jay Lumen keeps banging out dark and dirty beats on every one of his releases. This time he belts out his signature thunder in Trust, a loud and unforgiving track that has the power to raise the dead.

Keith Carnal - Untold

Affin released a 10-year retrospective of Amsterdam producer Keith Carnal´s work for the label full of his deep, atmospheric techno. His 2015 track Untold is included in the compilation and provides a bit of melody on top of its resounding kicks and pulsating tones, adding depth and colour to the pounding beats.

A.S.H - Vortex

Peak-time vibes are all over Vortex, the title cut from A.S.H´s debut on We Are The Brave. Tough, stomping kicks trudge along, drenched in menacing synths, while a distorted disembodied voice gives the track a dark, seductive tone. 

Fairmont - Brothers Keeper

Canadian producer Fairmont combines bluesy vocals and tough, progressive techno with impressive results in Brothers Keeper, the opening track of his latest EP on Bedrock Records. By mixing these elements, he creates an immersive atmosphere that draws you in like a moth to flame.

David Granha - Balea

Multi-faceted Spanish DJ and producer David Granha can whip out the deepest house grooves but is also able to conjure booming techno monsters, like on Savala, his latest EP on Noir Music. Three tracks full of pounding beats with a progressive flavour, with opening cut Balea starting things up quite nicely thanks to an unrelenting drive.

The August 2018 Mix - Pt. 1

The first half of August brought us heat and great tunes as well, so we might as well call this a "hot" mix, one I can assure you had me dripping sweat by the end. With tunes from repeat offenders such as Maceo Plex and Yan Cook, who have been previously featured in this blog, but also featuring music from established names and up-and-coming producers as well. As always, thanks for listening and enjoy!

Tracklist:

1- Simoncino - Dune 2000
2- Timo Maas & Mark Deutsche - Maestro
3- Taster Peter - Eskimo Kiss
4- Maceo Plex - Mutant Radio
5- Will Clarke - Mercy
6- Alan Fitzpatrick - System Addict
7- Pisetzki - Conquer
8- Jody Barr - Marlon Brando
9- Transcode - Arbitrage
10- Adam Beyer & Layton Giordani - Rome Future 
11- Paride Saraceni - Mindrush
12- Pan-Pot - Weltlinie
13- Setaoc Mass - Torque
14- Yan Cook - ZZZ
15- Jon Hopkins - Everything Connected (Stephan Hinz Remix)

Paride Saraceni - Mindrush

Paride Saraceni is a very prolific producer from London whose consistent output of releases have caught the attention of such artists as Adam Beyer, Monika Kruse, Carl Cox and Sven Väth, to name just a few. His Mindrush EP, on Tronic Music, delivers on his promise especially in the title track, a hypnotic and expansive techno cut that induces controlled madness with its Total Recall vocal sample.

Jon Hopkins - Everything Connected (Stephan Hinz Remix)

Earlier this year, Jon Hopkins released Singularity, his fifth studio album, another jaw-dropping collection of songs that add to his already impressive repertoire. Berlin producer Stephan Hinz takes the epic Everything Connected track off the LP and trims the edges, compresses the rhythm and confines the emotion to the breakdown.

Pan-Pot - Weltlinie

Berlin-based techno duo Pan-Pot took some time off their hectic touring schedule and produced the Weltlinie EP, which is also the 50th release by their Second State record label. Five tracks that cover many different shades of techno, from the experimental sounds of Freigeist and the spacey Zeit, to the funky stylings of Weltlinie.

Yan Cook - ZZZ

Ukranian producer Yan Cook unleashes three techno beasts on his Toxin EP, on Soma Records, of which we highlight the rolling and thundering third cut. With a mix of rhythm and weight, this bottom heavy track will run over anything in its path with no mercy.

Setaoc Mass - Torque

A mixture of tough beats and light pads in Setaoc Mass´ Torque leaves plenty of space to breathe, without diminishing the track´s urgency in any way. Released by Figure, the Flying Machine EP is the Manchester producer´s 4th outing with Len Faki´s label.

Simoncino - Dune 2000

Simoncino is an Italian DJ and producer deeply influenced by the sounds of classic Chicago house and Detroit techno, embracing vintage synths and drum machines in his productions. In this case, he brings us Dune 2000, released on a split EP from Chiwax shared with Boo Williams. The tune is a deep and cerebral affair, with disjointed notes echoing across the space created by a subdued rhythm track, creating a low-key, intimate atmosphere.

Jody Barr - Marlon Brando

Jody Barr began his rise as producer in 2015, catching the ears of many of the world´s top DJs, including Sasha, who released the Marlon Brando EP on his Last Night on Earth imprint. With a solid beat and haunting notes, the title track builds up towards a fat, juicy riff, driving it forward and infusing it with an infectious groove.

Alan Fitzpatrick - System Addict

Continuing down the illustrious path he´s taken as a techno DJ and producer, Alan Fitzpatrick brings us System Addict, a track that fuses relentless techno beats with the club stylings of house and results in a shimmering, unstoppable monster of a tune, part of the EP by the same name and released by Unknown To The Unknown. Do not be fooled by the gentle pads and melodies that sometimes take over, they will be eventually drowned by the power of this track.

Will Clarke - Mercy

A thundering bass drum opens Will Clarke´s Mercy, setting the stage for the soulful, funky techno workout that follows, complete with piercing stabs and a bluesy vocal sample. The Bristol producer keeps an active touring schedule, but also spends enough time in the studio producing, remixing and collaborating with other artists, resulting in a constant stream of new releases under his name.

Taster Peter - Eskimo Kiss

Hardcore-punk drummer, DJ, producer and owner of the Extravaganza record label, Taster Peter is the embodiment of the love of music, completely dedicated to creating and playing his tracks, as well as releasing work from other excellent artists. Eskimo Kiss combines techno´s solid pulse with Peter´s experimental leanings, resulting in a driving and vibrant tune, included in the Don Juan EP on Upon You Records.

Adam Beyer & Layton Giordani - Rome Future

Swedish techno hero and Drumcode label boss, Adam Beyer has been an ever-present figure of the scene since the mid-90´s. This time he meets with up-and-coming New York DJ and producer Layton Giordani to produce Rome Future, a deep, expansive tune that will draw you in thanks to its intense, thunderous breakdown. Part of the Space Date EP, which features an excellent track with Green Velvet as well.

Maceo Plex - Mutant Radio

Maceo Plex continues to impress with each successive release, his creative take on techno and house is apparent in Mutant Radio, part of the Mutant 2 EP on his own Ellum Black. A club-ready rhythm base is joined by disembodied, spectral notes that give it an unexpected otherworldly quality, while metallic synth stabs keep the groove going.

Timo Maas & Mark Deutsche - Maestro

Timo Maas has been part of the international house and techno scene for a long while now, having composed many iconic tunes and keeping an active DJ presence all over the world. In this case he teams up with Mark Deutsche and Aprapta Music to release the SuperKrnk EP, with two original cuts that each get the remix treatment, highlighting Maestro for its sense of urgency and classy grooves.

Pisetzki - Conquer

Starting out as sound designer for the fashion industry, Italian DJ and producer Pisetzki turned to electronic music production in 2014 and has since played in events like the Off Sonar Week in Barcelona, the Innervisions Night in Venice and the ADE in Amsterdam. In Conquer, from the EP of the same name released by Suara Music, he pairs dark beats with a stabbing melody, creating a very unusual, and very intense, techno monster.

Transcode - Arbitrage

Transcode is a promising new talent in the techno scene, thanks to his deep, intense music and forward-looking attitude. His latest release on Filth On Acid is the Altered Reality EP, a three-track effort that opens with Arbitrage, a shifting and energetic techno workout.