A great philosopher (Samuel Johnson, not Ebeneezer Goode) once wrote… “our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks”. While it would be a stretch to suggest the Drumcode artist roster are closet philosophy fans, once one begins to unravel the tale that led to Jel Ford remixing the 2012 Alan Fitzpatrick hit ‘For An Endless Night’ and it is impossible to escape the unexpected enterprise and spirit of surprise that are at the heart of this exciting collaboration. 

As fans of Adam Beyer’s label will testify, the two Drumcode names have more in common than just a label stable, they also share common ground with the peak-time melodic sound that has delivered many of the labels most memorable output. Ford being a much more recent addition than Fitzpatrick, whose history with the seminal Swedish imprint stretches back to 2009, however Ford’s history within techno goes back even further having released multiple EP’s through the early noughties on vintage UK techno labels including Dave Angel’s Rotation Records, Billy Nasty’s Tortured Records, Primate Recordings and Ford’s own Jericho imprint. 

It is within this shared passion for uplifting synths and big room melodies that the ‘unexpected spark’ of creativity that led to Ford remixing Fitzpatrick can be found. An long-time admirer of Fitzpatrick’s work, Ford had developed an idea for his alternative version and secretly worked on the remix long before any discussion of the project had taken place. Once given the draft version, Fitzpatrick immediately endorsed the remix, excited to have an updated version to breath new life into what had become a familiar staple of his sets for the past two years. Parts were swapped and the end result being the barnstorming end-of-night monster presented here. A track that will be familiar with many having been the subject of much social-media furor since it first surfaced back in Autumn 2014. 

Alan Fitzpatrick - For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix) - Drumcode - DC140

DJ SNAK3 - STAY TOGETHER ( ROOFTOP BROOKLYN NY REMIX) .wav

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. 

Adam Beyer & Mark Reeve - Nine Of You - Drumcode - DC159

2017’s first Drumcode release comes in the form of chart topping regular Julian Jeweil, who’ll be putting out his first solo effort on the label. Jeweil’s ‘Rolling EP’ showcases his skill as a producer and kicks off with the emphatic title track ‘Rolling’. The perfect soundtrack for the early hours in the club, this sweaty affair proves just why he’s at the top of the game right now. ‘Venice’ and ‘Blue’ illustrate his signature sound to a tee, with the EP’s final track ‘Traffic’ an acid-tinged behemoth, guaranteed to light up any set.

Julian Jeweil – Rolling – Drumcode – DC167

Johannes Heil - EXILE 007 B2 (Pawlowski Rework)

Making his debut on Drumcode in 2017 with his track ‘Fake’ featured on the A-Sides Vol 6 compilation, one of Brazil’s much loved exports Wehbba brings us his first full EP this February with ‘Eclipse’.

A no nonsense 4 track offering, and all thoroughly road tested by Adam, they have gained much support from longtime Drumcode fans. Eclipse, delivers a low end rumble along with a modulating synth line. Reigning high throughout the track, is the undeniably catchy and unique synth. Leaving this track one to be recognised on dancefloors all over the world.

‘Protocol’ doesn't turn down the pace, straight into a chugging hypnotic drive, this track leaks with attitude, along it’s eerie undertones.

Probably the most acid influenced track of the EP, ‘Glasswerk’ has a futuristic modular synth riff which thunders along a hypnotic bass line which flows nicely into ‘Framework’ to close out the EP. Its punchy and powerful kick sits alongside the cleverly crafted synth pattern, taking this track into a dark zone with a groovy element still resonant.

Wehbba - Glasswerk - Drumcode - DC185

Out now on Beatport

https://www.beatport.com/release/percussionix/2280205

Carl Cox is an industry figurehead whos legacy in music includes his iconic label Intec, which he runs with friend and business partner Jon Rundell.

Intec's new release is from UMEK who is a Slovenian artist accredited with kick-starting the techno scene in his home country, before earning critical acclaim on a global scale when he first started his career in the 90s.

Having released on labels ranging from CLR and Novamute right through to Toolroom, in recent years UMEK's own imprint "1605" has also become a main outlet for his music.

People with a good knowledge of technos history will be more than aware of the impact of UMEKs classics tracks, such as his anthemic Gatex that came out only a few years before his first Intec release in 2005.

Having also collaborated with many influential figures such as Chris Liebing and Joey Beltram, this new solo EP is UMEKs third release on Intec.

Titled Percussionix the EP opens with (Mix 1) which centres around a thick set bassline cut with filter sweeps and full of menacing intent. Leading the track is a combination of tribal percussion loops, which provide the track's main driving force.

Track two is UMEKs alternative mix of Percussionix which titled (Mix 2) has a more refined sound with the raw edges of the percussion being rounded off to smooth the sound, and its bassline is left unfiltered so it becomes more of a gradual sweep that grows with building tension.

ID152 1. Umek Percussionix Mix 1

In  many  ways,  it’s  difficult  to  believe  Wehbba  only  dropped  his  first  full-length  EP  on  Drumcode  this  year.  Released  in  February,  the  four-tracker  ‘Eclipse’  was  a  monster  statement  piece  of  the  Brazilian’s  talents  and  followed  on  superbly  from  ‘Fake’,  his  contribution  to  last  year’s  A-Sides  Vol.6  –  inarguably  one  of  the  biggest  tracks  on  the  compilation.  With  the  confirmation  that  Wehbba  will  take  part  in  Drumcode’s  Off  Week  party  in  Barcelona,  followed  by  the  brand’s  takeover  of  Resistance  in  Ibiza,  it’s  indisputable  proof  that  his  crisp,  chord-driven  take  on  techno  has  become  a  vital  component  to  the  expansive  palette  of  sound  Adam  Beyer  has  drawn  for  the  label  in  2018  and  beyond.    

‘Catarse’  marks  the  rapid-fire  follow-up  from  the  prolific  producer.  Opening  with  the  eerie  ‘She  Lost  Control’,  Wehbba  says  he  took  inspiration  from  the  Joy  Division  track  of  almost  the  same  name  (‘She’s  Lost  Control’),  but  instead  of  crafting  the  dense  sonic  atmosphere  with  vocals,  he  employs  an  analogue  kick  drum  and  stealth-like  moog  bass  with  dramatic  results.  ‘Process’  follows,  a  cut  which  begun  as  a  cover  jam  of  Laurent  Garnier’s  ‘Crispy  Bacon’and  ends  up  incorporating  the  cut-up  vocals  of  legendary  minimal  composer  Steve  Reich,  who  is  one  of  Wehbba’s  chief  inspirators.  The  resulting  track  is  an  ice-cool  percussive  work  that’s  rich  in  dancefloor  functionalism.  The  title  track  will  befamiliar  to  many  who  follow  Drumcode  Radio,  a  goose-bump  inducing  highlight  of  Beyer’s  DCR392  at  Awakenings  in  Eindhoven,  ‘Catarse’  is  driven  by  a  memorable  melodic  riff  resplendent  in  90’s  techno  euphoria.  The  EP  concludes  with  the  terrific  ‘Mind  Awake’,  a  powerful  concoction  of  reverb  heavy  basslines  and  glitchy  effects,  that’s  been  thoroughly  road  tested  by  both  Beyer  and  Wehbba  and  kicks  like  a  rodeo  bull.

Wehbba - Catarse - Drumcode - DC192

Catarse

Wehbba - Catarse

Get it NOW

Reinier Zonneveld, Andra6 - All I Want You To Do (Original Mix) [Filth on Acid]

Artist: Alan Fitzpatrick
Title: Skeksis For An Endless Night
Genre: Techno
Date: 07 November 2012


Alan Fitzpatrick - For An Endless Night

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.