Collection: Techno/Minimal/Tech-House

Jonny Dillon is Automatic Tasty and One Foot in the Rave is his debut album on Winthorpe Records. An influential name in acid-driven electronic music, Jonny has spent over 15 years with labels like Acid Waxa, Further Electronix and CPU and knocks it out of the park once more with this new eight-track LP. It's immediately recognisable as his work thanks to its sonic blueprints, melodic acid grooves, bleepy funk and warm analogue textures. Tracks like 'The Apocalypse is Now' and 'Raymond Tuesday's Big Day Out' bring upfront energy, while 'Starry Night' and 'Ringfort' infuse subtle psychedelia to make this a captivating braindance workout.

Speedy J is one of Europe' most vital tech innovators. He did plenty of groundbreaking work in the early days and much of it remains popular with ensuing generations. Enter this timely reissue of his Intercontinental EP, a classic amongst many in his back cat. 'Wicked Saw' kicks it off with a blend of digital synth sounds and industrial drums. 'Minimal' is more supple and paired back with hi-hats glistening like sharpened knives. 'Journey' is silky and house-leaning with a warm, rising synth glow keeping you elevated and 'Spectrum' shuts down with retro rave signifiers and chattery percussion of steely drums.

This remastered reissue features Dutch titan Speedy J's second landmark EP for Plus 8 Records, which saw him further exploring the then-emerging sounds of techno. Across the cuts, he delves into euphoric, minimal and bleepy territories with tracks like 'Rise,' 'Tresor' and 'De-orbit.' All of them are killer but on 'Something For Your Mind' he strips the sound down to its essentials and uses only a 909 drum machine and a vocal sample to great effect. This release, particularly that tune, played a crucial role in shaping modern techno with its harder, more raw, and no-nonsense approach influencing later stylistic evolutions like gabba.

Functional and nostalgic House stunners - highly recommended.

Nuron's new 'DAT Tapes' volume makes you want to shake DAT arse! Continuing his journey on De:tuned with yet another selection of exhumed DAT tape saves from old forgotten and attic-bound "vaults" - well, apparently, though these tracks sound decidedly modern, such to the degree that we'd be totally blown away if it was truly the case that these were made in the 90s - the producer also known as Nurmat Jusat deploys four fulsome measurers in the vein of classic bleep techno and pythagorean electro. This one's best features are its zapping yet mega-harmonic chords, best heard on the harmonic breakdown heard on the bustling furore that is 'Jungle Frenzy'.

Released via Underground Resistance in 1993, Black Moon Rising by Scan-7, helmed by Trackmaster Lou and featuring The Elohim, remains a quintessential Detroit techno classic. This electrified motor city soul and funk masterpiece is now reissued for the first time in 31 years, maintaining its power to ignite dancefloors and alter minds. The title track, 'Black Moon Rising,' achieves a perfect balance with its crisp Detroit techno sounds tempered by melancholic synths and melodies, creating an uplifting effect amidst the edgier releases of its time. The lo-fi production adds to its unique charm, making it a standout. 'Pathway Through Time' and 'Introducing Scan-7' continue to push boundaries with their innovative sounds. 'System Work' stands out with its quirky, driving melody and out-of-phase vocals, propelling the track forward with relentless energy. Black Moon Rising embodies the essence of techno, with synth stabs, acid leads and a robust bassline, making it a timeless release that remains influential in the techno scene.

When the original version of this two-tracker originally appeared in early 1993, CJ Bolland was at the peak of his powers, spearheading a new wave of Belgian techno producers associated with Ghent's soon-to-be-legendary R&S Records offshoot. His stock, and that of his contemporaries, has risen again in recent times - hence this useful reissue. 'Camargue' was, like the second track on this 12", co-produced by British producer (and Advent member) Cisco Ferreira. Rich in jumpy organ riffs, saucer-eyed motifs, sweeping synth-strings and bounding beats, it's tech-trance from a point when trance was not the commercial beast it would later become. Flip-side 'Tokyo' adds Japanese-influenced melodies and sparkling electronic motifs to a typically Belgian 'Hoover' bassline and storming techno beats. Like 'Camargue', it's breathlessly brilliant.

The Gospel According to Victor (TGAV) kicks off its inaugural transmission on wax with an EP of driving, timeless, yet modern house music from label-owner, Tro.

Inspired by a cryptic, otherworldly occurrence in Toronto in the summer of 2023, TGAV001 sees the enigmatic Berlin-based producer present the gospel of his musical sensibilities: four slices of dancefloor-oriented mind-music, seamlessly blending novel sound design techniques with hypnotic grooves reminiscent of 90s tech-house / minimal nostalgia.

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.