Techno

Drumcode returns with its 6th installment of the internationally celebrated A-Sides series. Renowned for fostering a shared space between industry tastemakers and rising talent alike, the careful curation that goes into each volume is a fine example of why Beyer’s brand continues to go from strength to strength.

Techno titan Adam Beyer has grown Drumcode into a force to be reckoned with; the label has become synonymous with forward-thinking, functional techno and even after 20 years, Drumcode continues to find new boundaries to push, and ways to solidify its legacy as the world’s number one techno label. 

2017 is no exception, with Beyer’s imprint hosting it’s first stage at Tomorrowland, not to mention the expansion of the critically acclaimed Junction 2 where the Drumcode stage is the centrepiece and Adam plays the key role of festival director. The Drumcode phenomenon continues to grow each week, chiefly fuelled by Drumcode Radio, Adam’s radio show that’s broadcast in 57 countries via 86 stations and to a global audience of 16 million techno fans per week. 

The A-Sides series acts as a perfect vignette of Drumcode’s cutting-edge sound; functional yet inspired techno, all tracks tried and tested by Beyer himself. Vol. 6 continues this tradition with a collection of 16 multi-faceted cuts from a mixture of both emerging artists and experienced label friends. 

The heart-throbbing bass in Amelie Lens’ electrifying piece ‘In Silence’ sets the tone for the dark and dance-floor-ready energy that Vol.6 carries the whole way through. Other standouts include Mars Bill’s rough’n’ready ‘Mohave’. Pulsating and precise, ‘Mohave’ has highlighted many of Beyer’s sets recently as has Wehbba’s monster track ‘Fake’, which fans have been anticipating the release of all year. 

Label-favourites Dense & Pika also feature on ‘A-Sides’ Vol. 6 with their hard-hitting ‘Just a Beat’ and a huge track from Beyer himself who has joined forces with Enrico Sangiuliano to bring us their undeniably infectious ‘Preset Heaven’. 

With many more notable selections from the likes of Julian Jewell, Timmo, Tiger Stripes and Pig&Dan, A-Sides Vol. 6 is another impressive addition to the label’s prolific release roster and a testament to why Drumcode remains at the forefront of the electronic world.

Wehbba - Fake - Drumcode - DC178

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode is growing from strength to strength, year after year, with a non-stop release schedule showcasing both the labels new and most established artists with cutting edge techno beats. After 20 years since its inception, Drumcode continues to push the boundaries, firmly grounding their position as the world’s No.1 techno label.

Drumcode’s youngest rising star, Layton Giordani, exploded on to the scene after his debut album “Where It Begins” back in February, after scoring some of the biggest festivals in Europe this summer, he now returns with an exciting collab titled “Live Again”.

NY born and bred, Danny Tenaglia has always been a true inspiration for Layton since his teenage years, so when the opportunity to collaborate with the fellow NY legend was on the cards, it was a dream come true.

Danny and Layton join forces for the lead track ‘Live Again’. Its deep and dark with a slowly building pad wrapping around a modulating synthetic hook. The dark and effected vocal echo takes the track into a hypnotic vibe.

‘Take It Back’ delivers a pumping drive the moment it fires up. Snapping percussive force and an infectious rhythmic groove will unhinge dance floors nationwide, whilst ‘Secrets of Vibration’ has a rattling, yet blistering low end presence to it.

The New Yorkers unite on this energetic and exciting collab.

Layton Giordani - Take It Back - Drumcode - DC180

Layton Giordani feat. Danny Tenaglia - Live Again - Drumcode - DC180

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

Wehbba - Eclipse - Drumcode - DC185

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

Wehbba - Process - Drumcode - DC192

It doesn’t get much bigger than this: Adam Beyer links up with Green Velvet and Drumcode’s outstanding rising star Layton Giordani for a debut collaboration.

Some musical partnerships feel fated. Both fans of one another’s work, for years Adam Beyer and Green Velvet had discussed writing music together. In turn, Beyer’s protégé Layton Giordani had admired the Chicagoan’s work for as long as he could remember. When the 25-year-old found himself playing alongside the green mohawked legend at Belfast’s Shine, the spark and subsequent friendship was immediate. With the links now set in place, it was only a matter of time before the trio’s creative chemistry would manifest musically.

‘Space Date’ was conceived organically and birthed quickly. Propelled by Green Velvet’s trademark vocal hypnotism, the triumvirate combine to craft a pumping intergalactic slice of techno laced in melody that’s highlighted sets by Beyer at Awakenings, Ushuaia and also EDC Vegas when Green Velvet dropped it to a raucous response. The track is complimented by ‘Rome Future’, the product of a year-long series of productions between Beyer and Giordani. Deftly combining crisp drum work, catchy vocal effects and a powerful bassline melody that gives the track an almighty kick, it will be familiar to many who’ve followed their sets over recent months.

Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet - Space Date - Drumcode - DC193

It doesn’t get much bigger than this: Adam Beyer links up with Green Velvet and Drumcode’s outstanding rising star Layton Giordani for a debut collaboration.

Some musical partnerships feel fated. Both fans of one another’s work, for years Adam Beyer and Green Velvet had discussed writing music together. In turn, Beyer’s protégé Layton Giordani had admired the Chicagoan’s work for as long as he could remember. When the 25-year-old found himself playing alongside the green mohawked legend at Belfast’s Shine, the spark and subsequent friendship was immediate. With the links now set in place, it was only a matter of time before the trio’s creative chemistry would manifest musically. 

‘Space Date’ was conceived organically and birthed quickly. Propelled by Green Velvet’s trademark vocal hypnotism, the triumvirate combine to craft a pumping intergalactic slice of techno laced in melody that’s highlighted sets by Beyer at Awakenings, Ushuaia and also EDC Vegas when Green Velvet dropped it to a raucous response. The track is complimented by ‘Rome Future’, the product of a year-long series of productions between Beyer and Giordani. Deftly combining crisp drum work, catchy vocal effects and a powerful bassline melody that gives the track an almighty kick, it will be familiar to many who’ve followed their sets over recent months.

Adam Beyer & Layton Giordani - Rome Future - Drumcode - DC193

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Sinematic

Layton Giordani steps up for his first solo EP of 2018.

In terms of pedigrees, it doesn’t get finer than Layton Giordani. The Brooklyn-born DJ/producer followed up his lauded debut album of 2017, with a collaboration with Danny Tenaglia to close out the year and marked the summer of 2018 with a three-way collaboration with Adam Beyer and Green Velvet, ‘Space Date’. The period has been a big one for Layton personally, also. From humble beginnings in his native NYC as an Output resident, to being thrust into the bustle of the European club and festival circuit, he’s enjoyed a stint living in Amsterdam, growing and developing over this time. All these experiences have had a fundamental influence on him and his music. The four-track EP ‘Phase II’ represents a new chapter for this exciting talent.

Beginning with ‘New York to Amsterdam’, a track that draws inspiration from a classic by Yves Deruyter, Layton’s work packs a memorable punch as tough acidic undertones and brain scrambling synth effects undulate raising the intensity, making it a perfect opener for Adam Beyer when he played Berghain earlier this year. ‘Body Language’ follows, a track written when Layton was scrubbed out of touring for a month courtesy of a shattered elbow from a skating accident. Not wasting the downtime, he’s crafted a cut that’s sleek, sexy and smart, with a seductive vocal and rousing melodic riff that runs throughout. ‘Black Mirror’, stays true to its dystopic name, a stomping rave cut that pummels dancefloors with a menacing lead synth that’s purpose built for the cold months ahead. ‘Enter the Stratosphere’ is steely electro-tinged techno paired with atmospheric licks of melody, awhile maintaining the artist’s trademark low-end chug. A classy conclusion to an EP from one of techno’s brightest talents.

Layton Giordani - New York to Amsterdam - Drumcode - DC198

Download / Stream: https://relief-records.lnk.to/JNvCl

Layton Giordani SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/laytongiordani

Stream

Green Velvet & Layton Giordani - FUZION

Wehbba collaborates with ghetto tech legend DJ Deeon, to deliver another superlative EP on Drumcode.

Since his debut on Drumcode in 2017, Brazil’s Wehbba has become one of the most dependable and impressive artists on the roster. Last year saw two standout EP’s ‘Eclipse’ and ‘Catarse’ drop on the imprint, alongside ‘Just’, his strong contribution to A-Sides Vol.7. He also made his mark playing Drumcode events at OFF Week, Resistance Ibiza and the much talked about double header in Manchester and Bristol when DC took over Warehouse Project and Motion respectively.

A true master craftsman in the studio, his first contribution for 2019 is typically impressive. A huge inspiration to Wehbba since his nascent raver days, ghetto tech icon DJ Deeon contributes a fierce vocal to ‘We Have Bass’, after a serendipitous hook up in São Paulo. A peak career moment collaborating with one of his original heroes and the artist responsible for the classic ‘Freak Like Me’, the resulting percussive-heavy cut kicks like a rodeo bull. ‘Third Wave’ is coffee geek Wehbba’s homage to his favourite brew, constructing the production to mirror the experience of a caffeine fix, as a loopy trance-inducing groove leads to powerful synth stabs that are heavy on impact. ‘Steamroller’ is a stripped back slice of techno driven by the Brazilian’s Korg MS-20 and found form after it initially begun as a studio jam inspired by Richie Hawtin’s ‘Minus Orange’. 

A Jean-Michel Jarre fan stretching back to his childhood, ‘Another Mistake’ was conceived after Wehbba saw the French legend in concert last year and was subsequently able to meet him backstage through a mutual friend. While creating the track, the producer imagined Jarre playing the main layers of the hook on his famous Laser-harp, eliciting an almost celestial quality with the melody. This is a stirring slice of techno fit for stadiums. The EP ends with ‘Purge’, the artist’s stream-of-consciousness expression recorded in one-take and a beautiful beat-less way to conclude the work.

Buy all

Wehbba - Third Wave - Drumcode - DC202

Zimmz

Pragmatic

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For the next installment of Renaissance’s acclaimed The ReMix Collection, Drumcode boss Adam Beyer taps his label cohorts Bart Skils and Layton Giordani to join him in creating a pulverizing remix of Pete Lazonby's classic 1994 UK techno track, 'Sacred Cycles'. 

Giving the tune a tough and voluminous treatment with their signature Drumcode sounds, the trio beefs up Lazonby's original track with an injection of heart-pumping bassline and swooping synths.

Adam Beyer, Bart Skils and Layton Giordani's remix of Pete Lazonby's 'Sacred Cycles' will drop on May 24 via Renaissance.

More exclusive music

Pete Lazonby 'Sacred Cycles' (Adam Beyer, Bart Skils, Layton Giordani Remix)

Two contrasting remixes of ‘Space Date’ come courtesy of Pleasurekraft and John Monkman, as the three-way collaboration between Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani and Green Velvet continues to thrill. Joining the strong reworks is an unexpected treat for fans; a last-minute inclusion of a fresh new original track from the trio.

Drumcode got its first taste of Pleasurekraft’s unique production touch in 2016 when ‘Dopefield’ dropped on ‘A-Sides Vol.5’. The Swedish/American duo’s exploration of cosmic techno realms made them the ideal candidates to re-work ‘Space Date’. Their contribution is as visceral as they come; defined by a hypnotic vocal arrangement, a stirring call and response melody and propulsive galloping beats fashioned for peak-time moments. No surprise it was a highlight of Adam Beyer’s Ultra Resistance sets and gobsmacked Maceo Plex who requested a promo to play at Time Warp a week later.

Meanwhile Drumcode debutant John Monkman steps up with a very different, but not less deadly reinterpretation of ‘Space Date’. The Brit has impressed in recent times with strong releases on Ellum, Kompakt and his own Beesemyer imprint, and takes this form into DC207. His is a twisted intergalactic re-rub drenched in warped electro, blistering modular sounds and touches of IDM that manages the difficult task of taking the original to darker, more leftfield realms without ever losing its powerful dancefloor pulse. 

A new collaborative work ‘Data Point’ joins the pack, only completed by the trio of Beyer, Giordani and Green Velvet in late May in time for the Drumcode boss to drop it at IMS Dalt Villa during the sunset slot with Ida Engberg.

A new collaborative work ‘Data Point’ joins the pack, only completed by the trio of Beyer, Giordani and Green Velvet in late May in time for the Drumcode boss to drop it at IMS Dalt Villa in his B2B with Ida Engberg. The track’s sleek melodic grooves and hypnotic vox complimenting the sunset slot perfectly.

Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet — Space Date (Pleasurekraft Remix) — Drumcode — DC207

Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet — Data Point — Drumcode — DC207

A testament to the growth of Adam Beyer’s scene-leading label, Drumcode annual A-Sides Vol.8 is the brand’s biggest yet.

The 25-track strong compilation features standout cuts Beyer has received over the last 12 months, but been unable to find room for in Drumcode’s regular release schedule, such is the volume and high standard of music that’s submitted.

The highlight-rich compilation includes Jamie Jones & Darius Syrossian’s buzzy Drumcode debut ‘Eyes of the Night’, Nicole Moudaber’s first DC release in 5 years with the mesmerizing ‘This Is Us’, Will Clarke’s bass-drenched re-work of Adam Beyer & Bart Skils ‘Your Mind’ and Joey Beltram’s first Drumcode release in 11 years with the retro-tinged ‘Can You Feel It’.

The beloved Alan Fitzpatrick returns to the fold with the searing ‘Heiße Rakete’, alongside label mainstays Layton Giordani, who drops the stirring chord-driven ‘Chrome’ and Wehbba with ‘Mantra’, combining techno classicism with future-focused groove.

There’s a troupe of debutants donning the Drumcode jersey for the first time, including BEC, Shelley Johannson, Anthony Castaldo, Avision, Zimmz, Woo York, SAMA (in a terrific collaboration with Secret Cinema) and Ilija Djokovic, who delivers a shimmering highlight with ‘Aura’, a particular favourite of Beyer’s over the last year. Raxon also debuts on the label after a couple of quality additions to the Truesoul back catalogue.

Exciting young guns Weska and Juliet Fox bring heat to the compilation, while Veerus and Timmo follow up strong DC releases with a repeat dose. Elsewhere faithful contributors Ramon Tapia, Jay Lumen, Luca Agnelli, Marco Bailey and Mark Reeve craft powerful dancefloor weapons.

Layton Giordani — Chrome — A-Sides Vol. 8 — Drumcode — DC211

A rare treat for Drumcode faithful: A-Sides Vol.10 is set to drop in December, the second edition of the beloved series to come in 2020.

Fuelled by the extra time and space to be creative during lockdown, Drumcode’s collective of artists have stepped up. Across 17 contributions, the producers have gone deeper into their sonic repertoire, crafting powerful, yet reflective works that capture the range of the label’s sound.

Jay Lumen leads the way with a rousing riff-driven weapon, ‘Galactic Rainbow’, while Ramon Tapia brings us the muscular gem ‘Drum Control’, mixing up ruffneck techno with a barrage of synapse-tickling synths in the second half. Both rousing highlights of the compilation.
Victor Ruiz, Drumcode’s most prolific contributor in 2020, dishes up ‘Love Story’, led by a huge vocal lead. Zimmz also returns with ‘Tension’, which deftly combines deep squelchy grooves with a silky synth interlude. Thomas Hoffknecht follows up his debut on Vol.9 with ‘Escape’, keeping listeners on their toes with dynamic, choppy shifts throughout. Veerus joins with another stirring addition ‘I Know’, reinforcing why Beyer rates him so highly.

Elsewhere a string of debutants feature: buzzy newcomer Lilly Palmer gives us ‘Amnesie’, a brilliantly pummelling and eerie cut; Alex Lentini & Stomp Boxx serve up ‘Expanders’ mixing up drone effects, trippy vocals and an unsettling melody line; and Patrik Berg’s ‘Activated’ is full-bodied techno that drops down into funky rhythms.

Long-time DC family member Bart Skils brings his A-game with the thrilling no-nonsense ‘Solid State’ that hits like a steam train. Likewise, Alan Fitzpatrick who brings a momentous slab of techno energy with ‘Rochus’, while Thomas Schumacher, now feeling like a regular on the imprint, crafts another dark techno opus, this time in collaboration with CAITLIN.

There’s even a special appearance by the chief Adam Beyer, who makes a welcome return with the progressive-tinged ‘Changes’, driven by organic tones and spacey atmospherics. The track stands as his first original contribution to A-Sides since 2017.

Victor Ruiz — Love Story — Drumcode — DC235

Cosmic Boys come back on their first label Scander for the final 2020.

Techno

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