Using rolling percussion and a thumping kick, Luigi’s four track EP starts with a bang as the title suggests; ‘Primo’ really is unbeatable! Luigi uses synth stabs that add character and finesse to this outstanding piece of music. ‘I Believe’ uses dubby drums and an infectious vocal to really tear things apart before dropping into a melodic synth section that will make anyone move. Tantra’s melodic groove synths help this early morning track really come into its own before the main melodic section, accompanied by strings, will take any clubber to their own dimension. Hypnotizek rounds off the EP being more upfront about where it’s going. This cheeky, groove based track will warm up a dance floor quickly and get people in the mood for a real party!

DC122 - Luigi Madonna - Hypnotizek - Drumcode

<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]

Siva Prayojan - Strangers (Original Mix) Preview

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode juggernaut attracts more fans and critical plaudits with each passing year. Holding firm on its future facing ethos, techno’s number one label presents a new volume in its acclaimed A-Sides series with 20 prime tracks to signify its 20th anniversary. 

Such is the volume of quality music Adam Beyer receives throughout the course of the year, releasing all of it would be impossible. Enter the blue chip A-Sides series: a chance for the quality-obsessive label head to issue a collection of outstanding tracks that couldn’t fit in their regular EP release schedule. 

With an eye on future talent, as much as the label’s established roster of heavy-hitters, the compilation showcases the full breadth of Drumcode’s multifaceted techno sound, equal parts inspiring and functional. 

Led by the stealth techno funk of ‘Nine of You’, Beyer’s deft collaboration with Mark Reeve, the compilation takes in exciting highlights from big guns such as Alan Fitzpatrick, Dustin Zahn, Bart Skils, Pleasurekraft, Luca Agnelli, Jay Lumen, Kaiserdisco and Gary Beck. 

The rich vein of form displayed by emerging techno talent is similarly given prime position. Rising DJ/producer Boxia makes his Drumcode debut, fresh from a well-received warm up set for the crew at the hugely successful Junction 2 festival in London, while the likes of Enrico Sangiuliano, Juan Sanchez, Ian O’Donovan and Timmo also drop fire, establishing their credentials as some of the most promising talent breaking through the ranks in 2016. 

Reinforcing the global scope of the label, artists such as The Junkies from Toronto and Layton Giordani from New York, prove techno is winning a place in the heart of the new generation of artists coming out of North America. 

Pleasurekraft - Dopefiend - Drumcode - DC159

2016 was a standout year for Alan Fitzpatrick, with the Drumcode stalwart racing out of the gates in spectacular fashion with the release of his fabric 87 mix. A substantial amount of high profile shows followed, including appearing at the inaugural Junction 2 festival and closing the car park to a packed-to-the-rafters-crowd at Drumcode Halloween. He returns to Drumcode with ‘Brian’s Proper Dun One’, marking his first appearance on the label since late 2016 when he remixed Moby’s seminal ‘Porcelain’.

The release opens with ‘Brian’s Proper Dun One’, a track which caused a Twitter meltdown on Alan’s profile when he first started playing it at the tail end of 2016. Loaded with sharp and pounding drums, this is an ethereal experience from start to finish and packs a real punch. It’s a no holds barred, certified main room anthem. ‘Wait A Second’ feat. mc r1bbz has been a staple of Adam Beyer’s sets of late and has been getting a lot of air time on Drumcode Radio. This rave inspired track takes a raw, stripped back approach and delivers a real killer blow. Alan sampled the vocals of mc r1bbz from an LTJ Bukem tape pack from the early 90s and the record tips its cap to early jungle raves around the M25. The release closes with ‘Trance, Init?’; A homage to Alan’s days first and foremost as a raver before he became a DJ, with his non-purist attitude when it comes to electronic music shining through. The breakdown is sure to be a hands in the air moment at festivals all over the globe this summer.

Alan Fitzpatrick - Wait A Second feat. mc r1bbz - Drumcode - DC173

Julian Jeweil returns with a generous five-track EP continuing his stellar 2017. 

Following on from his ‘Rolling’ EP that dropped in January and featured the outstanding ‘Blue’, an early contender for one of the strongest tracks of the year, Julian Jeweil drops the crisp intergalactic techno trip ‘Space’

The EP begins in stunning fashion with title track ‘Space’, driven by stirring vocal effects that build up tremendously, later giving way to a punchy acid-laced climax. ‘South’ follows, a low-end tour de force. ‘Answer’ is already familiar to fans after it featured on DCR368 Live from Loveland and the track is a rousing peak-time weapon propelled by subterranean stabs. ‘Encke’ is deliciously mind-bending, led by heavy bass and distorted effects, before ‘Module’ follows providing a groovier, but no less powerful contrast.

Julian Jeweil - Encke - Drumcode - DC179

Following on from his debut EP on Drumcode earlier this year, Ilario Alicante returns with a generous 6-tracker.

Ilario Alicante - Leave Me - Drumcode - DC183

Drumcode favourite Bart Skils kickstarts the new year with his sixth EP for the label Bark Skils opens new year's season with his 6th hard hitting EP released on Drumcode

Since his debut on Drumcode in 2012, Bart Skils has been one of the label’s most regular contributors, with the Dutchman’s brand of functional, hook-driven techno a go-to weapon for Adam Beyer; from his stellar ‘Shadowprint’ EP in 2014, to last year’s classy remix of Moby’s ‘Go’. One of The Netherland’s hardest working ambassadors for techno, he is the organiser of the beloved Voltt Love Summer Festival that’s has been a favourite of Beyer’s for many years. 

His latest work for Drumcode, ‘Bells of the Revolution’ continues his impeccable reputation for quality with everything he does, with four cuts all with their own distinct storyline. The title track is characterised by dark driving grooves and bubbling acid line that slowly evolves into a lush melodic riff. ‘Ocean Drive’ nose-dives into deeper techno territory, while maintaining a sense of exquisite tension throughout. ‘Vocalized’ follows, a stomping acid techno cut that slides into the deep courtesy of skilfully programmed vox and elegant licks of melody. The EP concludes with ‘Retrodade’, a track that’s been one of the biggest in Beyer’s sets in 2017 and features the famous vocal from Rozalla’s ‘Everybody’s Free’. The sample was used with kind permission from the iconic ‘90s singer.

Bart Skils - Retrodade - Drumcode - DC184

Mark Reeve - Redemption (Original Mix) DRUMCODE

Wehbba collaborates with ghetto tech legend DJ Deeon, to deliver another superlative EP on Drumcode.

Since his debut on Drumcode in 2017, Brazil’s Wehbba has become one of the most dependable and impressive artists on the roster. Last year saw two standout EP’s ‘Eclipse’ and ‘Catarse’ drop on the imprint, alongside ‘Just’, his strong contribution to A-Sides Vol.7. He also made his mark playing Drumcode events at OFF Week, Resistance Ibiza and the much talked about double header in Manchester and Bristol when DC took over Warehouse Project and Motion respectively.

A true master craftsman in the studio, his first contribution for 2019 is typically impressive. A huge inspiration to Wehbba since his nascent raver days, ghetto tech icon DJ Deeon contributes a fierce vocal to ‘We Have Bass’, after a serendipitous hook up in São Paulo. A peak career moment collaborating with one of his original heroes and the artist responsible for the classic ‘Freak Like Me’, the resulting percussive-heavy cut kicks like a rodeo bull. ‘Third Wave’ is coffee geek Wehbba’s homage to his favourite brew, constructing the production to mirror the experience of a caffeine fix, as a loopy trance-inducing groove leads to powerful synth stabs that are heavy on impact. ‘Steamroller’ is a stripped back slice of techno driven by the Brazilian’s Korg MS-20 and found form after it initially begun as a studio jam inspired by Richie Hawtin’s ‘Minus Orange’. 

A Jean-Michel Jarre fan stretching back to his childhood, ‘Another Mistake’ was conceived after Wehbba saw the French legend in concert last year and was subsequently able to meet him backstage through a mutual friend. While creating the track, the producer imagined Jarre playing the main layers of the hook on his famous Laser-harp, eliciting an almost celestial quality with the melody. This is a stirring slice of techno fit for stadiums. The EP ends with ‘Purge’, the artist’s stream-of-consciousness expression recorded in one-take and a beautiful beat-less way to conclude the work.

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Wehbba - Third Wave - Drumcode - DC202

Bart’s EP kicks off with ‘Brave New World’, which uses pitch curved synth lines to create a unique groove before opening up the filter to be released back into the track. ‘Hypnotizing’ uses a percussion line that evolves into a melodic section within the breakdown that is supported by a catchy vocal line. ‘New Ground’ uses a trippy bleeps and a rolling drum beat to create a lively record. ‘Cabana’ is slightly different to the rest of the EP and offers a distinctive set-builder using a rising and diving synth line that is guaranteed to get people on the dancefloor. 

03 - DC104 - Bart Skils - New Ground - Drumcode

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