BEST OF 2020

Engage

Cosmos, Vol. 1

Pursuit

From the darkest depths of deep space UMEK returns to the uncontrolled planet called FOA with a three track bomber named Hell Archetypes. Enjoy your dark and filthy trip on ACID NOW.

Delivered by <a href='http://www.label-worx.com'>Label Worx</a> on behalf of <a href='http://www.filthonacid.com'>Filth on Acid</a>

FOA038 : UMEK - Hell Archetypes (Original Mix)

“With Transmission I wanted to produce an album which would represent me a hundred percent, without limiting myself or setting boundaries. It was important for me to make an LP where every single track could be used in a mix as well as listened to at home. The album's concept was simple: Transmission tells a story; my techno story" Julian Jeweil

France’s globetrotting techno DJ/producer Julian Jeweil set to release debut artist album Transmission via Adam Beyer’s illustrious Drumcode Records on 7 January 2019. 

Over the past decade, Julian Jeweil has risen to become one of one of electronic music’s most respected artists and synonymous with cutting-edge melodic techno. Throughout his career, the Marseille-based artist has garnered numerous accolades and achievements including releasing on esteemed imprints such as Cocoon, M-nus and Plus 8, being Beatport’s #1 top selling techno artist (2015), remixing the likes of Moby, Deadmau5, Dubfire & Oliver Huntemann and Pan-Pot and performing at some of the world’s best clubs/events such as Fabric (UK), Womb (JP), D-Edge (BR), Drumcode OFF Week 2018 (ES), Drumcode Festival (NL), BPM Festival (PT) and Resistance (MX). 




With the accumulation of all of this success and experience, the time has now come for the talented Frenchman to continue his burgeoning relationship with Drumcode by following on from his well-received debut ‘Rolling’ EP (2017) and ‘Space’ EP (2017) with his much-awaited debut long-player, Transmission – comprising of 11 stellar tracks inspired by Jeweil’s ambition to produce an album for the dancefloor that would fully represent him without setting any limitations or boundaries.

The alluring space-themed LP commences with the exquisite synth-laden beatless composition ‘Intro’ which is closely followed by one of the album’s darker standout moments, the stomping peak-time title track ‘Transmission’. Elsewhere, there’s further dancefloor weaponry such as the pulsating synth-driven roller ‘Mars’, the edgy groove-based ‘Hyoid’ and the trippy acid-tinged ‘Turbulence’.

Other highlights include, ‘Planet X’ which showcases Jeweil’s mastery of atmosphere, serving as an ambient downbeat interlude when placed between the pounding Berghain-esque workouts such as ‘Internal’ and ‘Futura’. The album continues into its final triptych with ‘Astral’ and ‘Dorsal, 2 powerful bass heavy masterpieces, concluding with the aptly named emotional soundscape ‘Final’ to round off a superb debut long-player that’s well worth the wait.

Julian Jeweil - Mars - Drumcode - DC199

I am excited to present the first full release from Balthazar & JackRock on Terminal M. I am playing all three tracks since a few month and always had a huge response. Also I got some goosebumbs when Adam Beyer played „Nymph“ at his set at Awakenings x Drumcode at the Gashouder. I hope you enjoy this release as much as I do! (Monika Kruse)

beatport/spotify/vinyl

Balthazar & JackRock - Nymph

Drumcode starts 2020 with a sterling EP from genre hero Thomas Schumacher, his first on the label after a long association with Adam Beyer.

No ifs or buts, if you’re a techno fan, Thomas Schumacher holds a place in your heart. His 1997 classic ‘When I Rock’ still gets rinsed, he has a vast body of stellar work on his influential former label Spielzeug Schallplatten, including a release from Adam Beyer, and he continues to deliver pin-sharp productions via his Electric Ballroom imprint, including a scorching remix of ‘The House of House’, the 1994 classic from Cherry Moon Trax. The rework was first played by Beyer at Time Warp and has been a 2019 highlight.

He first contributed to Drumcode in 2018 with ‘The Unseen’, a stirring contribution to ‘A-Sides Vol.7’, setting up a maiden EP with ‘Crimson’. Beginning with the brilliant ‘Feist’, it’s a no-nonsense brain melter, as 303 arpeggios bloom and recede, creating a thrilling rhythmic intensity throughout. The title track ‘Crimson’ is crafted around two minutes of tension-building synths, before a beat finally appears and a rasping deep bassline commands the dancefloor. ‘Anker’ brings the rave with eagle-eye focus, unleashing a wall of fierce acid to round out the pack.
“Adam and I have both been producing and playing techno since the early ‘90s. I have deep respect for him as a person and artist. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to collaborate in this way.” – Thomas Schumacher

Crimson

Buy all

Thomas Schumacher — Crimson — Drumcode — DC217

BUY: fanlink.to/mk-hoisin

Digital: 17th January 2020
Vinyl: 31st January 2020

1: Michael Klein - Hoisin
2: Michael Klein - Bite
3: Michael Klein - The Signal
4: Michael Klein - Hollow Night

Techno DJ and producer Michael Klein has been consistently putting out solid work for years, a habit that has made other DJs – among them Richie Hawtin, Chris Liebing and Laurent Garnier – look to Klein’s releases as reliable fodder fit for a variety of moods at any given party. 

Born in Frankfurt and trained in classical piano as a child, Klein cut his clubbing teeth at the likes of Robert Johnson and Cocoon. He then moved to Berlin where he cultivated his dark and groovy sound, assisted by his studies in sound engineering, and earned a residency at the beloved, now-closed Stattbad. Klein is prolific but versatile, and these qualities come to the fore on his latest release, the Hoisin EP for Second State.

The title track, ‘Hoisin’, is a shapeshifter, switching gears from mesmeric, winding bass and rhythmic bleeps to minor, eerie builds, cheeky drum rolls, and more energizing chords. ‘Bite’ is more urgent, kicked along by impatient percussion and an acidic bass burble. ‘The Signal’ is the EP’s biggest moment, destined to be a highlight of not just Klein’s sets, but others’, too. It has the atmosphere of a ‘90s Bristolian rave, with a whomping stomp, beguiling bass and the odd vocal yelp adding era-specific authenticity. ‘Hollow Night’ demonstrates how deftly he can change moods. Here Klein retreats into something darker and more insular. A kick joined by circular chords creates a claustrophobic but compelling inner world. 

Klein is a highly valued member of the Second State family and recently contributed an excellent exclusive track for Amelie Lens’ fabric presents mix. He’s been something of a secret weapon in the techno community for years, but while his music prefers to live in the dark, Klein’s profile is, deservedly, coming into the light.

@michaelkleinberlin
@secondstateaudio

The New Yellow EP

BUY HERE

Michael Klein - Hoisin

Lilly Palmer - Excess

One of Drumcode’s finest, Bart Skils returns for his first solo EP since 2018.

Bart Skils remains one of the label’s most consistent achievers going back to his debut in 2012. Eight original EPs, a stellar remix of Moby ‘Go’ and his now-classic collaboration with Adam Beyer ‘Your Mind’ have entrenched him as a DC treasure. All the while the Dutchman plays a nurturing role with the label’s nu-skool brigade, regularly playing B2B with Layton Giordani and teaming up with Weska for last summer’s ‘Polarize’ two-tracker.

His ninth Drumcode EP ‘Settle In The Sun’ delivers the first productions from his new studio after six months of preparation. The title track was inspired by an extended stay in LA over New Years, channelling the energy of Venice Beach’s vibrant skate culture to create an uplifting, big riff weapon. ‘Tropical Heat’ took influence from Bart’s experiences touring South America, as an evocative vocal sample and rave-kissed melody line run alongside a wicked rolling groove. ‘Shiva Says’ is a peak-time, brain-mangler in the best of ways, driven by a monster synth line that grows and contorts as the track progresses.

Pursuit

SHDDR

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