DC A-sides

Everyday Tracks

Sam Paganini - Rave

We are happy to welcome Maceo Plex to Drumcode with the fourth instalment of his Conjure series, ‘Conjure Infinity’. Featuring two tracks ‘Conjure Dreams’ and ‘Conjure Floyd’, both are peak time monsters that introduce two very different elements. ‘Conjure Dreams’ utilises a groovy, melodic bass that is reinforced using tight thumping drums to shatter any dance floor into the universe. ‘Conjure Floyd’ builds into a more ‘heads down’ techno vibe with a very interesting breakdown. Two sure fire tracks to ignite the floor.

Maceo Plex - Conjure Dreams - Drumcode - DC136

The Drumcode A-Sides compilation is quickly becoming an important fixture within the techno world as a go to compilation for the hottest tracks. Mixing both highly experienced and new artists helps to bring a new dimension to the compilation that makes it such a special array of tracks. All tracks individual, their unique characters bring an outstanding and electrifying aspect to the compilation that as a whole makes it something extremely special.

Alan Fitzpatrick - Eternia - Drumcode - DC152

<p>It&#8217;s time for Sasha Carassi&#8217;s &#8220;Echoes&#8221; from a few months ago to receive remix treatment, and Skober&#8217;s interpretation is up first and focuses on the melodic elements of the Original but cleverly adds moody synths which add to the overall epicness of the affair, especially in the grandiose breakdown. Layton Giordani is up next with his trademarked shadowy sound and impeccable arrangement, offering yet another angle of attack. Last but not least are Loco &amp; Jam dubbing things out with bursts of references to the original in key moments, while maintaining a rocksteady vibe sprinkled with discordant stabs.</p>

Sasha Carassi - Echoes (Skober Remix) [Phobiq]

Enrico Sangiuliano came up through illegal raves and is now a top DJ who plays all over the world and has his music played by the likes of Adam Beyer and Sven Vath. He has had the longest ever running techno number one on Beatport (his remix of ‘Can You Hear Me’ for DJ Boris on Alleanza) and is one of the best selling artists on the site at any one time. His music comes on Cocoon and Drumcode amongst others, and is powerful, direct stuff for the dance floor.

Written entirely in Italy, “X-Pollination (or cross-pollination) is fundamentally the key factor of growth, consciousness and life,” says the artist. “It’s the way I connect with people, share my passion, fly from one place to another and put many influences and elements into my music.”

The title track is eight minutes of slow burning but hypnotic techno funk with rolling rubber drums and nervy pads. Frazzled synths add post apocalyptic vibes to this main room anthem and many well crafted peaks and troughs along the way help make it even more standout. It is a real techno classic in the making.

Mark Reeve is the UK star who remixes. He has a long history with techno that goes back to the rave scene. Since then his education has taken in trips to techno mecca The Omen, has resulted in music on Cocoon and collabs with Pig & Dan. He has also released on Drumcode and has a big rolling sound that fills the world’s finest clubs and warehouses with his unique grooves. His take on the original is more energetic, with searing synths, cantering kicks and a dark energy that makes you pump your fist and stomp the floor. It is full of drama and is perfect balanced from start to finish.

Enrico Sangiuliano - X-Pollination (Mark Reeve Remix) [Unrilis]

Buy on Beatport

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.

Man With No Shadow - Manila - Drumcode - DC195

Contained within this eleven-track compilation is a collection of tracks submitted to Drumcode as demos but which didn’t have other tracks to be partnered with to make up a classical Drumcode EP. Such was the quality and quantity of these stunning one-off tracks that the idea of making them into a compilation was born primarily for practical reasons. As the project grew the idea became a theme and the theme evolved into a finished project – A-Sides - which tells both the story of Drumcode’s recent past with familiarly high-octane tracks from Adam Beyer, Alan Fitzpatrick, Joseph Capriati, Gary Beck, Gregor Tresher and Dustin Zahn & Rachel Palmer but also gives a glance into what is to come as the likes of Patrick Siech, Luigi Madonna, Roberto Capuano, Dhillon and Manic Brothers get their chance to contribute to the shaping Drumcode’s future.