Techno

After the success of the first A-sides compilation in 2012, Adam Beyer has decided its time to release another. With Adam's stature steadily growing as one of the leading talents in the Techno scene and the rise of Drumcode, the standard of demo's that have been sent to Adam have been top notch. Adam has now decided to release two compilations with 10 tracks on each, both consisting of tracks that Adam has tried and tested. There are also new artists that have been invited to release on Drumcode for this compilation and others who are a staple in Drumcode's core family. Combining both old and new talents Drumcode have come up with something unique and distinctive to make this two-part compilation something extra special.

Adam Beyer - People Understand - Drumcode - DC129

Adam Beyer’s new EP titled ‘Teach Me’ is an accomplished piece of work that highlights Beyer's year thus far. 'Teach Me' starts with some eerie chords before the distinctive vocal kick in and the track drops into a rumbling techno track. ‘Darlek’ uses rhythmic beeps and huge synth stab to create a funky rhythm before the atmospheric pads create a beautiful setting for this incredible techno track. ‘Stop Talking’ is a deeper offering from Beyer using weird and unusual noises to create and interesting piece of work that is helped along by the throbbing bass underlying in the track. ‘Spaceman’ uses a rhythmic vocal, percussion and sub bass to turn this track into a funky techno piece.

Adam Beyer - Teach Me - Drumcode - DC132

Foremost international techno outlet Drumcode is delighted to announce the release of its next full-length album, ‘Satellite’, by enduring Italian techno talent Sam Paganini.

Though he has been active since the mid nineties, recent years have been hugely successful for Sam, with searing techno EPs coming on revered labels such as Riche Hawtin’s Plus8, Sven Vath’s Cocoon and of course, Adam Beyer’s Drumcode. In his time he has been responsible for underground hits like ‘Zoe’, ‘Polyester’ and ‘Fire In My Arms’, all of which demonstrate his dynamic understanding of sexy, dark and hypnotic techno grooves and at the same time have earned him plenty of great Beatport chart positions as well as respect from the best in the game.

Incredibly, ‘Satellite’ is Sam’s first full-length album. Informed by his DJ gigs at legendary places like Berghain in Berlin and Cielo in New York, the album starts with a dystopian bit of sonic scene setting, as if a space ship is charging up ready to take off.

From there it’s a case of getting straight down to business. ‘Another Chance’ is a spacey bit of cantering techno and ‘White’ is rooted in devastating kick drums and is riddled with serrated synth lines that build lots of great techno pressure. ‘Down’ is an undulating bit of funky techno complete with choice vocal flourishes and tracks like ‘Lotus’ are prime offerings from the deeper end of the scale.

No two tracks sound the same on Satellite: Sam is always teasing out a new bit of texture, nailing a slightly different vibe or exploring different amounts of light and dark throughout the course of this most excellent album. This is evidenced by diverse cuts like ‘Dusty’, ‘Toxic’ and ‘Rave’.

Despite ‘Satellite’ being Sam’s debut album, it showcases his seductive style in all its glory across 12 fantastic tracks that will leave you begging for more.

Sam Paganini - Rave - Drumcode - DCCD10

Sam Paganini - Dusty - Drumcode - DCCD10

Sam Paganini - Another Chance - Drumcode - DCCD10

Jel Ford kicks off his return EP with two tracks of clean big room techno. The title track ‘Backyard’ is a moody affair with a low drone throughout that is complimented with layered synth stabs. Using reverb to create atmosphere within the track it subtly breaks down before a vocal hook transcends the track to deliver a killer blow. ‘Meeting of Minds’ is dubbier and uses a tripped out synth to add rhythm whilst working alongside a synth pattern to keep the track chugging along. The slow evolving pads add texture and keep the track nicely filled out whilst this timeless classic keeps on giving.

Jel Ford - Backyard - Drumcode - DC133

Alan Fitzpatrick is back with a three-track EP that encapsulates what Alan’s Drumcode sound is all about. Hard-hitting drums that fire down onto the dance floor like cannon balls. Check! Intense key patterns that are as twisted as they are uplifting. Check! Beautiful melodies that seamlessly interlock with each element. Check! Big-sounding, infectious grooves and killer hooks generously sprinkled with the infamous Fitzpatrick magic over the top. CHECK! In short, this EP is everything we have come to expect from Alan over his long history with Drumcode (this is his 10th EP as a solo artist!), but still his sound remains fresh and super-charged for 2014.

Alan Fitzpatrick
Turn Down The Lights
Drumcode
Released: 27.10.14

(contains a sample from "The Revolution" by Superchumbo, courtesy of TWISTED Records Inc. (www.twistedrecords.com)

Alan Fitzpatrick - Organic - Drumcode - DC134

Alan Fitzpatrick - Turn Down The Lights - Drumcode - DC134

Luigi Madonna returns to Drumcode a year after his superb single ‘Primo’ using familiar hooks, huge stabs and monstrous drums that storm across the dance floor which, are common with Mr Madonna. The hard hitting raw vibe of this EP gives Luigi an edge, with fluttering high’s and saturated lows, Luigi’s tracks are a mainstay in all DJ sets. The EP encompasses different emotions throughout that can be felt within the track ‘Singer One’, offering a more mellow side to Luigi’s already expansive catalogue.

Luigi Madonna - Unconditional Beauty - Drumcode - DC135

Luigi Madonna - Back To School - Drumcode - DC135

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 Floyd - Drumcode - DC136

Maceo Plex - Conjure Dreams - Drumcode - DC136

Mr McKay is back on Drumcode with an EP that is very close to home, titled ‘Glasgow Safari’. Harvey has blended his synonymous synth stabs and vocal hooks together and has created another outstanding EP. The drums are fat and chunky as always and allow Harvey’s ideas to flow effortlessly over a solid foundation. The smooth use of dynamic throughout Harvey’s tracks also create impressive drops to add to another exceptional EP from Harvey.

Harvey McKay - The Cure - Drumcode - DC138

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

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.

Dense & Pika - TEX - Drumcode - DC142

Stephan Hinz - Breakout - Drumcode - DC142

Storming his way back onto Drumcode Luigi Madonna closes off the Summer with a four track smasher that will see him welcome in Autumn with a bang. Each track contains the solid, raw drums that are the backbone to each track Luigi has conjured up. With a brooding undertone, the simplicity found in each track gives the lead lines and ideas more space to breath, which overall creates a unique and charismatic submission that can only be found from the Italian.

Luigi Madonna - Le Ly Land - Drumcode - DC146

Kaiserdisco are back on Drumcode with 3 brand new tracks including the heavy hitting ‘Black Light’, that has been championed by Adam Beyer in recent sets. ‘Black Light’ uses old school stabs that weave up and down to create a roller coaster of a ride. ‘SQ 80’ and ‘Manley’ are groovy numbers that really show Kaiserdisco’s versatility.

Kaiserdisco - Black Light - Drumcode - DC149

Mark Reeve presents his second release on Drumcode, ‘Run Back’, a four track EP crammed with heavy hitting kick drums and his signature big basslines. The dark sounds and heavy textures are typical of Reeve and he’s showing no sign of slowing down yet. Four tracks of brooding techno, this EP is one not to be missed.

Mark Reeve - Run Back - Drumcode - DC151

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.

Techno

neuergaul