A Small Decline (Mark Broom D

Violetta Dj - Cold&Lite (Original Mix)

After Party 2 by X19

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. 

Alan Fitzpatrick & Gary Beck - Sky Jacket - Drumcode - DC159

Almost one year in the making, Bulgaria’s outstanding techno talent lands his return to Drumcode with a four-track EP. 

Timmo (aka Valeri Ivanov) doesn’t do things in half measures. Since the release of his excellent ‘System’ EP last year and ‘Muzik’, his inclusion on A-Sides Vol.6, he’s committed himself to crafting, refining and polishing a quartet of cuts inspired by the cosmic realms beyond planet earth. Titled ‘Meteorite’, its release marks 10 years since he first began producing and stakes its claim as a resounding career highlight with tracks already highlighting gigs for Adam Beyer at Tobacco Dock, Awakenings, Future Kappa Festival and Junction 2.

Beginning with the title track, the streamlined work throbs with a searing synthetic pulse. ‘Black Moon’ sees the EP land its first blow, kicking with a mixture of undulating synths and understated hoovers. ‘Spacetime’ stays true to its name delivering intergalactic techno vibes. ‘Cosmos’ concludes the work, taking us into extra-terrestrial dancefloor territory, with a barrage of trippy synth work and a melodic underbelly the makes the track both beautiful and heavy-hitting in equal measure.

Timmo - Spacetime  - Drumcode - DC194

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.

Reset Robot - Self Existence - Drumcode - DC195

My new track is out now on Drumcode. :)
Get your copy here, https://www.beatport.com/track/razor-original-mix/12516234

Jay Lumen - Razor (Original Mix) Low Quality Preview

A work 12 months in the making, Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX deliver a standout EP debut.

The Italian pair – living at the extreme opposites of their country’s ‘boot’ will be new names to the Drumcode faithful. They first appeared on the label in December 2020, with a strong contribution to A-Sides Vol.10 titled ‘Expanders’. 

So impressed was Adam Beyer with their productions, a fulsome debut EP was secured soon after. ‘Fine Line’ was conceived in the final stages of 2019. With the extra studio time lockdown provided, the duo enjoyed a creative freefall,  
allowing them to refine a five-track work that sits at the intersection of home-listening techno and dancefloor functionalism. 

‘Natural Desire’ has a definable spunk to it, as pulsating chords undulate towards a breathy pad-laden finish. ‘Shifting Soul’ is exquisite, as crunchy drums and a rousing vocal ensure it’s a memorable addition to the Drumcode canon. The title track is colourful and thrilling in equal doses, as muscular synth lines coalesce alongside pin-sharp rhythms.  
‘Altered Cycle’ is skilfully composed and marked by a stirring melodic lead and funky percussive underbelly. ‘Curved Blade’ is abrasive and gritty, before a dreamy spoken word interlude arouses an introspective mood. A fitting soundtrack for our times.

“2020 was both strange and terrible, especially for music lovers. But it gave us enough time to carve out this collaboration. At this point a wonderful compromise arouse between our two different sound visions. It happened without too many thoughts and in a very natural way.” – Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX

Buy all

Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX — Curved Blade — Drumcode — DC236

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.