Mr McKay is back on Drumcode with an EP that is very close to home, titled ‘Glasgow Safari’. Harvey has blended his synonymous synth stabs and vocal hooks together and has created another outstanding EP. The drums are fat and chunky as always and allow Harvey’s ideas to flow effortlessly over a solid foundation. The smooth use of dynamic throughout Harvey’s tracks also create impressive drops to add to another exceptional EP from Harvey.

Harvey McKay - Venom - Drumcode - DC138

<p>The Drumcode A-Sides compilation is quickly becoming synonymous within the techno world as a go to compilation for the hottest tracks that are deservedly A-side material in their own right. Each specific track has it own unique character that brings an outstanding and electrifying aspect to the compilation that as a whole makes it something extremely special. Mixing both highly experienced and new artists has helped to bring a new dimension to the compilation that makes it such a special array of tracks.</p>

Sasha Carassi - The Hard Parade (Original Mix) [Drumcode]

Oprheas

Cold moon

Mark Reeve - Redemption (Original Mix) DRUMCODE

The seventh volume of Drumcode’s annual A-Sides compilation hits with no less than 10 debuts for the label, with Charlotte de Witte, ANNA, B.Traits and Scuba’s SCB project, among the collection of topline artists to release their maiden productions on the imprint. 

Over two decades into its lifespan, Drumcode keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. This reputation for progression was further fueled this summer with its inaugural festival at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, featuring a long list of heavyweights including Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens and Ida Engberg, among others. 

As ever, the A-Sides compilation provides a timely opportunity to showcase the full range of its sonic repertoire, with Adam Beyer scrupulously selecting 22 unreleased tracks that have taken prime position in his sets over recent months. 

Outstanding all-round talent ANNA kicks off the compilation with ‘Portable Paradise’, a pulsating cut that sets the tone for the top-shelf club cuts to follow. Also entering the debut field with their first ever Drumcode dalliances are B.Traits and Charlotte de Witte. The esteemed Canadian selector offers up ‘I Feel The Music’, a euphonic track that’s been sought after since spring, and the Belgian ballista unlocks a thick-edged club bomb in ‘Remember.’

Leaders of Drumcode’s new brigade, exciting Brazilian Wehbba and British techno alchemist Boxia set out to impress. Wehbba’s straight-talking ‘Just’ hits with an immediate sense of urgency before neck-snap claps strike with force, and Boxia’s ‘Final Call’ elicits physical engagement with mellifluous vocals and soaring pads. 

Continuously looking to bolster the profiles of emerging talent, Berlin-based producers Weska and Juliet Fox are brought into the fold with equally engaging razor-sharp tracks that are primed to do lasting damage. 

Other notable highlights include an exhilarating workout from Reset Robot - the most released artist on Beyer’s imprint Truesoul – as he lands on Drumcode for the first time. And tastemaker’s favourite Jel Ford makes a welcome return as he ushers in techno rhythms with bustling breaks in ‘Nightshade.’

Elsewhere, support from label mainstays comes in from Bart Skils, who offers a work of consummate skill in ‘West Of The Moon.’ Alan Fitzpatrick, who’s been heavily featured across the A-Side series, joins forces with Scuba as he operates as his uncompromising alias SCB. The result is a propulsive floor-gripper that testifies to their masterful deftness as co-producers. Formidable duos Dense & Pika and Pig&Dan also contribute with powerful compositions.

Boxia - Final Call - Drumcode - DC195

A testament to the growth of Adam Beyer’s scene-leading label, Drumcode annual A-Sides Vol.8 is the brand’s biggest yet.

The 25-track strong compilation features standout cuts Beyer has received over the last 12 months, but been unable to find room for in Drumcode’s regular release schedule, such is the volume and high standard of music that’s submitted.

The highlight-rich compilation includes Jamie Jones & Darius Syrossian’s buzzy Drumcode debut ‘Eyes of the Night’, Nicole Moudaber’s first DC release in 5 years with the mesmerizing ‘This Is Us’, Will Clarke’s bass-drenched re-work of Adam Beyer & Bart Skils ‘Your Mind’ and Joey Beltram’s first Drumcode release in 11 years with the retro-tinged ‘Can You Feel It’. 

The beloved Alan Fitzpatrick returns to the fold with the searing ‘Heiße Rakete’, alongside label mainstays Layton Giordani, who drops the stirring chord-driven ‘Chrome’ and Wehbba with ‘Mantra’, combining techno classicism with future-focused groove.

There’s a troupe of debutants donning the Drumcode jersey for the first time, including BEC, Shelley Johannson, Anthony Castaldo, Avision, Zimmz, Woo York, SAMA (in a terrific collaboration with Secret Cinema) and Ilija Djokovic, who delivers a shimmering highlight with ‘Aura’, a particular favourite of Beyer’s over the last year. Raxon also debuts on the label after a couple of quality additions to the Truesoul back catalogue.

Exciting young guns Weska and Juliet Fox bring heat to the compilation, while Veerus and Timmo follow up strong DC releases with a repeat dose. Elsewhere faithful contributors Ramon Tapia, Jay Lumen, Luca Agnelli, Marco Bailey and Mark Reeve craft powerful dancefloor weapons.

Buy all

Marco Bailey — HAKU — A-Sides Vol. 8 — Drumcode — DC211

If you want a snapshot of where techno stands in any given year, and a preview of where it’s headed, look no further than Drumcode’s A-Sides compilation. Since 2012 it has marked the label debuts of countless vital Drumcode artists and affiliates, from Layton Giordani, Wehbba and Boxia, to Amelie Lens and ANNA, no less. Every year, new names are unearthed, tried and true techno contributors serve up their best, and icons of the industry land their debut on Adam Beyer’s storied label.

The 2020 edition hits with 13 tracks, eight coming from label debutants. There’s Eats Everything searing rave bomb ‘Organico’ and Dubfire’s ice-cool electro offering ‘Deadbug’, both artists landing their maiden contributions to DC after long affiliations with Beyer. With three EPs in less than two years on Truesoul, Oscar L steps up to DC, showing the breadth of his sound palette with a soaring, synth-laden gem ‘Dark Fate’. Belgians Joyhauser featured at last year’s Drumcode Festival paving the way for ‘Fierceness’, a beautiful melody-drenched cut befitting their DC cap. Anfisa Letyago is another first timer and shows why she’s one of the scene’s most highly touted new artists with the brooding beast ‘Are You In’. A growing label favourite, Juliet Fox follows up ‘Was Beautiful’, her superb track on last year’s A-Sides, with ‘Our Fantasy’, reinforcing her skill for crafting anthemic techno compositions. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz link and the result is ‘Intuit’, a sleek futuristic roller that hits you square between the eyes. Other highlights come from longtime Drumcode cohorts Reset Robot and Harvey McKay, who both dish up premium works, reinforcing their classy productions nous.

Loco & Jam — Addicted — Drumcode — DC223

DC109 - Roberto Capuano -- New Chapter -- Drumcode

Drumcode storms into 2013 after releasing some superb tracks in 2012 which included celebrating their 100th release with an outstanding EP from Adam Beyer and Ida Engberg. Also releasing some exceptional tracks from artists such as Alan Fitzpatrick, Jay Lumen and Gary Beck, Joseph Capriati, Gregor Tresher, Sam Paganini, Nicole Moudaber and Ben Sims. Heading into 2013 Drumcode are keeping up the refined techno that they have displayed and are making sure that they continue to keep up this form throughout the coming year.
Roberto Capuano is a name heard before at Drumcode, releasing his debut release on the 15 year anniversary compilation with his track ‘Oblique’. Gaining support as a producer, Roberto has released on record labels such as Analytic Trail, Phobique, MKT, Monique Musique and Suara. He has gained a lot of support from Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin, Joseph Capriati, Umek, Carl Cox and Alex Under amongst others. Roberto has also been Djing around the world at venues in Europe including the famous, “Old River Park” amongst others.
‘Vertigo’ is the A side on this four track EP by Roberto Capuano that uses reverberated kick drum’s and piano chords to create a groove that was designed for peak-time play. The second track, ‘Inversion’ uses rising and filtering synths with the use of space and influxes of pitched hi hats and percussion loops to create a 5am track that will keep people rooted to their spot. ‘New Chapter’ uses a repetitive percussion-like stab to keep the deep atmospheric sounds together over the industrial techno drums.The final track ‘Earth’ uses phased sporadic stabs to create an interesting groove that compliments the driving drums that are ever present.

Roberto Capuano - New Chapter [Drumcode]

Eros

The Gypsy

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.