Out now on Rekids: lnk.to/REKIDS192

Although based in Berlin for several years, Dustin Zahn has continued to exert influence over the fertile but steadfastly underground Minneapolis techno scene as part of the Intellephunk collective whilst cultivating a worldwide rep via releases for Blueprint, Token and his own Enemy Records. The ‘Gain of Function’ LP sees Zahn channelling the groove-fuelled techno of the late ’90s and early ’00s and shaping eight powerful but funky contemporary techno tracks that display the decades of experience under his belt. 

Forged from a series of live jams with two drum machines and two synths, the album is a refined collection of raw, purist techno brilliance. Across the A-side ‘Tell Me About Paradise’ brings shimmering staccato chops under bright and airy percussion before ‘Tangie Groove’ picks up the pace with floating pads, vocal slices, and a rumbling bassline. On ‘Lucid Dreams’, scattered percussion plays with hypnotic synth licks, while ‘Smoking in Silence’ sees off-kilter leads dancing between emotive vocals and evolving drum loops.

Opening the second disc is the deep and shuffling ‘Crimson Cheeks’, with trance-inducing samples nestled between sharp drum hits and rolling synthesis, and ‘Days Like These’ takes a darker turn as twinkling arps and droning pads carry the track. ‘Shark Rodeo’ featuring Jeremy Black mangles samples into a dense rolling affair, before closing number ‘Next Level Looseness’ drops the 4/4 pattern for a raucous club track, combining oddball sound sources and unruly production techniques for a trippy finish to the album. 

Since the late ’90s, Zahn’s hypnotic and driving techno has consistently caught the ears of top DJs and labels worldwide, with anyone catching his marathon sets at the likes of Berghain exposed to expansive sets. In addition to his techno-heavy catalogue and DJing prowess, Zahn has lent production and engineering skills to bands and singers, recently working with Poliça and on Carm’s Pitchfork approved eponymous album. Beyond this, his vital work with Intellephunk includes the nearly two decades long running Communion after-hours events, cementing his invaluable contributions to the scene.

Dustin Zahn

Tangie Groove

Dustin Zahn - Tangie Groove

Lisbon's Paraíso bring their A&R a-game once again with a stellar EP by one of the city's most beloved techno DJs - @vilmusic - and a chef's kiss remix by the one and only queen of twisted dance, @ednd from Algarve.

VIL effortlessly strikes a balance between his seasoned raver's effective ammunition approach and his penchant for freshness that has accompanied him since his early days as a dubstep DJ. Concise elegance and banging inventiveness meet in the opener Rotari, as the A2 follows with detroitian levels of class and relentlessness, all ecstatic hats, warm stabs and beautiful percussion. Ghet09 closes the A side with tom-filled jack-infused beats and smooth keys with an instant-classic quality, all offset by eerie pads cause it's techno we're gladly witnessing after all.

Anjos, the new Birmingham brings in-your-face energy in the tight drum programming and a dash of trippy, quasi-dubby melodic elements in an ode to Lisbon's tentative premier techno neighbourhood Anjos.

Deranged yet loved-up, the B2 is a perfect peak-time dreamy mood-setter - proving we're in the hands of a skilled emotion-to-dance translator. The record closes with a stellar remix by one of Portugal's innovators, EDND herself, who drowns the opening track in mysterious waters and adds beautiful melodic elements, perfect for that much-appreciated deep dive moment on the dancefloor. There's a wonderful digi bonus for the heads, where oneiric pads are punctuated by vocal chops from a very familiar classic.

BUY VINYL/DIGI

Digital Bonus - Vil - Soul Thing

Music has the power to bring people together in a way that few other things can. For Zisko and Volpe, techno music was more than just a hobby or a form of entertainment - it was a way of life.

They shared a common interest, which helped to build a strong bond between them. It gave them purpose and a shared sense of accomplishment as they worked towards their goals.

They were united by the music, and nothing could ever change that.

Buy Link:
https://ziskomusic.bandcamp.com/track/volpe-zisko-united-by-the-music

@ziskomusic
https://www.instagram.com/ziskomusic/

Volpe
https://www.instagram.com/volpearg/

Volpe & Zisko - United By The Music

Command Control - Saklikent - Manual Smiles

Support: https://fanlink.tv/MANUAL006

Written and produced by Command Control
Mastered by Justin Drake
Artwork by Ben King

Essence EP

Command Control - Saklikent

Moments of Clarity

Salsa Lesson (Vinyl Mix)

Smooth Moves From Mr Lewis

Spin

Glare

A remix for my pal @p3rc1!

released via 'fakenumberland'
https://fakenumberland.bandcamp.com
twitter.com/fakenumberland

Remix will appear on a compilation hosted by the label bandcamp soon!

Song (Shay. Remix)

STREAM

song (Shay. Remix)

artist: Steffi & Rosati
title: Memory Zero
label: Dolly
cat #: TS-08
release date: 31 January 2025
format: vinyl & digital

tracklist:
A1. Bring The Beat
A2. Minor Slider
B1. Big Rooms
B2. Memory Zero

Label boss Steffi joins forces with Rosati for TS-08! Their collaboration, “Memory Zero”, delivers a potent blend of driving techno with elegant Detroit touches. Crafted during an intense week of jam sessions at Candy Mountain
Studio in Portugal, this EP brims with powerful percussion, sparkling stabs, and beats designed to move bodies.
This is techno built for serious impact!!