Collection: New Releases

Seekers dropped the still superb album What He Does last year that laid out their cosmic house dub and techno visions in technicolour detail. That good work is continued here on their own self title label with the Ancient Lands EP which comes with marvellous artwork which, like the music, manages to be both ancient and ritualistic yet futuristic and exciting. Synth modulations ripple throughout the smooth techno surges of opener 'Metamorphic Frequencies' then 'Evanescens Punctum' is more zoned out and dubby. 'Ancient Lands' and 'Touch' are two more psychedelic dancefloor escapes of the highest order.

Source 02 makes the first time stepping out on wax for Lorenzo Batlle, the latest signing to emergent Uruguay label New Source. At a time when club music from the Southern Hemisphere is finally getting a little more shine, it's exciting to catch up on fresh talent bringing a different slant to the techno blueprint. There's a whiff of the spooky, schlocky sound you might hear on labels like Eya, but other melodic nuances and rhythmic tricks mark Batlle's sound out as his own. Rich, full-bodied productions that will absolutely work it in the dance - get some insight into what's coming out of Uruguay and bring something a little different to your set.

Z@p has been part of the Uruguayan techno revolution for several years, making his mark over here in Europe and in turn sending a spotlight back to his homeland. This time out he lands on the Montevideo Electric Recordings label with four more of his stylish and deep cuts. 'Submarino' kicks off with slow, sludgy electronics and before thumping kicks drive things onwards beneath skewed acid. 'Sensations' is a more bouncy affair with a rising tension that hurries you along and keeps you on edge before 'The Box' blends acid and minimal into an impactful arrangement that never lets up. 'Frank 717' rounds out with the most punchy kicks and sleek synths of all.

Polarity keeps on the early pressure and quality it has shown over its first few releases with another searing EP that is aimed square at the floor. A quarter of different artists contribute to the '4 Intense Stories EP' and Giuseppe Angeloro opens up in bristling fashion with 'Sequenza Libera' a coarse acid workout. Cedric Dekowski's 'Roayal' has a more trippy take on techno with its unusual sci-fi energy and Luca Piermattei's 'Aerial Silk' has you in freefall as the synth sequences ride up and down the scale over mechanical beats. Thilo Dietrich shits down with a nice techno stomper with plenty of warped lines.

Che dropped this x-rated EP back in 1994 with production from the one and only Mr Fingers himself. It came with a warning about the scene expressed in the recording being "a fantasy in the age of promiscuity" and advice to "always wear a condom''. The four cuts are hardcore deep house with classic Heard synths and chords which originally came with four mixes on Trackmode Recordings. They are all included next to a newly unearthed version from the archives of Alleviated and each of them hits a super sweet spot where cosmic pads and dynamic drums meet in harmony under the sleazy vocals.

The unstoppable and always innovative Derek Carr returns with a new outing on Trident that is as potent as thew UK's weapon defensive system of the same name. It kicks off with the bumping beats and vamping chords of 'Ill Met By Moonlight"' then takes in 'Skeksis II' which is a more brain frying and acid laced techno cut. There is a super sweet garage feel and soulful house edge to the liquid grooves of 'Going Thru Life' then 'Nod' shuts down with some Detroit style hi-tek soul to round out Carr's most diverse and effective EP for a while.

Exarde clocks up its 15th outing here with another bit of brilliantly direct to dancefloor techno tackle from Zuul. There is a sense of celestial mystery to his opener 'The Devil's Wanted In Here' in the chrome-plated melodies while the drums are pure electro-funk. 'Phazer Quest' ups the ante with some prickly acid spraying about the face of the silvery metallic drums and sustained chords and moon the flip comes the rasping bass and slapping drum funk of 'Talkatron' while a more circuitous route is taken by the searching synths of closer 'Nieur Acid.'.

Best Record has secured the rights to this 12" vinyl reissue of Fascination 'Out to Get You', which is dedicated to Giancarlo Meo, the esteemed producer behind Easy Going and other iconic acts. This release, curated by Claudio Casalini, pays homage to Italy's vibrant disco era and blends elements of disco, soul, and funk. The original comes as three different and equally captivating versions, including a re-edit by DJ Massimo Berardi who injects plenty of contemporary flair while preserving the essence of the original tracks. With its fusion of retro charm and modern energy, this reissue offers a nostalgic yet danceable vibe and is primed and ready to for igniting dance floors worldwide once again.

Taking a break from their usual Italian remit, Best turn their attention to an overlooked pioneer from the annals of German electronic music history. Harry Thumann was based in Munich, and primarily worked as a studio engineer, but his own recorded work was vitally important too. An early adopter of MIDI, and with a propulsive electronic disco sound that was right at the cutting edge of the times, the four "experiments" Best have gathered here represent some of the most potent dancefloor jams he created - full-fat technicolour fever dreams for the fabulous and flamboyant.