Techno

ADAM BEYER & IDA ENGBERG - UNANSWERED QUESTION -  (Julian Jeweil Rmx) - DRUMCODE

Abaracdabra - Alice Maluca (Original Mix)

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

Alan Fitzpatrick makes a triumphant return to the scene-leading imprint this August. The typically bombastic three-tracker of explosive, crowd-moving techno opens with ‘Love Siren’ packed with all the power and punch required to knock over festival crowds as it systematically builds and drops, this is one for the big open air stages. ‘U Said U’ is a massively hyped track that has been the subject of huge fan-demand since it first featured on Beyer’s Drumcode Radio in January. ‘Rumours’ wraps things up in slightly more understated but non-the-less effective fashion with its drawn out, tension building intro mushrooming into a crescendo of sleazy chords and sparking melodies.

Alan Fitzpatrick - U Said U - Drumcode - DC144

Roberto Capuano has delivered Drumcode an immense 4 track EP that will blow out the cobwebs and see Roberto step back onto Drumcode with a bang. Lacing each track with pads and tantalising hook lines, Capuano’s tracks fire on all cylinders with good use of vocals and drum rhythms. His tracks have a certain swagger that only Roberto can conjure.

Roberto Capuano - Mirror - Drumcode - DC150

Roberto Capuano - Wilford - Drumcode - DC150

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 - Can't You See - Drumcode - DC151

Mark Reeve - Exposure - Drumcode - DC151

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.

Nick Curly - BBC - Drumcode - DC152

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. 

Luca Agnelli – Phoenix - Drumcode - DC159

Rick Fox - Acido Tonati

Moby is a name synonymous with us all in the electronic music world and we are lucky enough to have been able to hand select some Drumcode artists to remix his work. This 9 track package included remixes from Enrico Sangiuliano, Dense & Pika, Bart Skils, Alan Fitzpatrick, Marco Faraone, Tiger Stripes, Manic Brothers and Luca Agnelli. Each one has been thought out and accomplished with precision using some of Moby’s synonymous samples.

The Remixes

Moby - Porcelain (Luca Agnelli remix) - Drumcode - DC164

DC172 comes on behalf of Brazilian born Vinicius Honorio, a now London based producer and DJ who is making some serious in-roads amongst a new breed of techno artists. Having already released on labels such as Pig&Dan’s Elevate and dubspeeka’s Skeleton, the next natural step in his progression comes in the form of a release on Drumcode. 

‘Through The Darkness’ is a masterclass in darkened techno grooves, with each one of the four tracks managing to show off Honorio’s skill as a producer and just why he is firing on all cylinders. The release kicks off with ‘Walking Shadow’, a track that has been a key part of Adam Beyer’s sets at the tail end of 2016 and in to the new year. This tense, brooding affair has certainly garnered a lot of attention of late and it’s clear to see why. The title track ‘Through The Darkness’ is a much more of a stripped back cut, jam-packed with a haunting vocal hook, driving basslines and slick drums. This is one for the late night mischief makers. ‘Desolate’ is another hard-hitter, managing to perfectly balance that signature Honorio groove and pounding drums that adds depth to his productions. The release closes with the atmospheric ‘Out For Blood’, which is loaded with vintage rave stabs and weighty basslines – This one is meant to played in dark and sweaty rooms.

Vinicius Honorio - Walking Shadow - Drumcode - DC172

Hailing from Spain, we are pleased to welcome Ramiro Lopez to take the reigns for our next release. The in-form producer has already released music on the likes of Bedrock, Intec, Suara and Diymanic in a relatively short space of time and garnered major support from Adam Beyer, Carl Cox and Monika Kruse. Coming out on 15th May, his ‘Pretending’ release comprises of 4 tracks that have been a mainstay of Adam Beyer’s sets during the latter part of 2016 and now full force in to 2017. 

The release opens with ‘September’; Atmospheric to its very core, the crunching drums and low end rumbles make this one a sure fire weapon of choice. Next we jump into ‘Loving You’ with a haunting vocal that compliments the stripped back yet refined approach of this track. ‘Come Closer’ featuring Juliet Fox is a dark, rumbling number that screams building percussion that lends itself to become a peak time choice, whether it’s a club or festival. The release closes with ‘Pretending feat. KnowKontrol’; An 8-minute piece of work that is destined for unadulterated dancefloor destruction, whilst maintaining that melodic element that Ramiro Lopez is fast making his signature style.

Ramiro Lopez - September - Drumcode - DC174

Drumcode continues its commitment to releasing the scene’s most cutting-edge techno. With releases this year already from Adam Beyer, Pig&Dan, Alan Fitzpatrick, Dense & Pika and Julian Jeweil, this July see’s the return of Enrico Sangiuliano with ‘Astral Projection’.

After his remix of Moby’s of ‘Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad’ back in November last year, Enrico sought creative inspiration from his travels, transcending that into his productions and long studio sessions during the winter months. The result brings a mind and body melting release from the Italian producer.

The title track ‘Astral Projection’ is a captivating, big room techno masterpiece. Deep reverberations punch alongside a sinisterly crisp percussive drive. Launching into a groove laden synth modulation of low end textures, it breaks down into an ethereal amalgamation of pads and synths before the vocal launches, taking this track to another level.

‘Blooming Era’ has destructive dancefloor intent. There is no holding back with the low end synth modulation which Enrico has mastered to perfection. A tightly woven percussive flare moulds flawlessly with the rolling oscillations of the beast of this track.

If you have seen label head honcho Adam Beyer playing anywhere on the globe in the last 5 months, this has been a peak time favourite. Road-tested to the max, and with much success.

Enrico Sangiuliano - Blooming Era - Drumcode - DC176

Enrico Sangiuliano - Astral Projection - Drumcode - DC176

Julian Jeweil returns with a generous five-track EP continuing his stellar 2017. 

Following on from his ‘Rolling’ EP that dropped in January and featured the outstanding ‘Blue’, an early contender for one of the strongest tracks of the year, Julian Jeweil drops the crisp intergalactic techno trip ‘Space’

The EP begins in stunning fashion with title track ‘Space’, driven by stirring vocal effects that build up tremendously, later giving way to a punchy acid-laced climax. ‘South’ follows, a low-end tour de force. ‘Answer’ is already familiar to fans after it featured on DCR368 Live from Loveland and the track is a rousing peak-time weapon propelled by subterranean stabs. ‘Encke’ is deliciously mind-bending, led by heavy bass and distorted effects, before ‘Module’ follows providing a groovier, but no less powerful contrast.

Julian Jeweil - Module - Drumcode - DC179

Julian Jeweil - Encke - Drumcode - DC179

Ramiro Lopez drops the electrifying follow up to his ‘Pretending’ EP from May this year. 

For almost a decade, Spain’s Ramiro Lopez has established himself as one his country’s leading proponents of techno, with strong releases across labels that include Suara, Intec, Octopus Recordings and Bedrock. He first debuted on Drumcode in 2016 with the rousing collaborative track ‘Clap Your Hands’ that ranked among one of the label’s standout tracks for the year. With one Drumcode release already under his belt in 2017 and a new label project Odd Recordings with fellow DC cohort Arjun Vagale recently launched, he’s enjoying another strong year.

His return to the label comes in the form of ‘Being Alone’, a powerful trio of cuts, all of which featured in Adam Beyer’s Awakenings Festival Day 1 performance. The title track is a multi-layered weapon, propelled by a dizzying vocal, swirling synth effects and pin-sharp percussion that build toward a smooth classy finish. ‘Dark Science’ is an effective stomper brought to life by a bell chime hookline and undulating synth melody ensuring its peak-time prowess. ‘Der Raum’ rounds out the EP, highlighted by Lopez’s deft drum work, proceeded by a driving, euphoric climax.

Techno

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