Techno

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 - Process - Drumcode - DC192

Wehbba - She Lost Control - 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

Almost one year in the making, Bulgaria’s outstanding techno talent lands his return to Drumcode with a four-track EP. 

Timmo (aka Valeri Ivanov) doesn’t do things in half measures. Since the release of his excellent ‘System’ EP last year and ‘Muzik’, his inclusion on A-Sides Vol.6, he’s committed himself to crafting, refining and polishing a quartet of cuts inspired by the cosmic realms beyond planet earth. Titled ‘Meteorite’, its release marks 10 years since he first began producing and stakes its claim as a resounding career highlight with tracks already highlighting gigs for Adam Beyer at Tobacco Dock, Awakenings, Future Kappa Festival and Junction 2.

Beginning with the title track, the streamlined work throbs with a searing synthetic pulse. ‘Black Moon’ sees the EP land its first blow, kicking with a mixture of undulating synths and understated hoovers. ‘Spacetime’ stays true to its name delivering intergalactic techno vibes. ‘Cosmos’ concludes the work, taking us into extra-terrestrial dancefloor territory, with a barrage of trippy synth work and a melodic underbelly the makes the track both beautiful and heavy-hitting in equal measure.

Timmo - Spacetime  - Drumcode - DC194

Timmo - Black Moon - Drumcode - DC194

Timmo - Meteorite - Drumcode - DC194

The seventh volume of Drumcode’s annual A-Sides compilation hits with no less than 10 debuts for the label, with Charlotte de Witte, ANNA, B.Traits and Scuba’s SCB project, among the collection of topline artists to release their maiden productions on the imprint. 

Over two decades into its lifespan, Drumcode keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. This reputation for progression was further fueled this summer with its inaugural festival at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, featuring a long list of heavyweights including Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens and Ida Engberg, among others. 

As ever, the A-Sides compilation provides a timely opportunity to showcase the full range of its sonic repertoire, with Adam Beyer scrupulously selecting 22 unreleased tracks that have taken prime position in his sets over recent months. 

Outstanding all-round talent ANNA kicks off the compilation with ‘Portable Paradise’, a pulsating cut that sets the tone for the top-shelf club cuts to follow. Also entering the debut field with their first ever Drumcode dalliances are B.Traits and Charlotte de Witte. The esteemed Canadian selector offers up ‘I Feel The Music’, a euphonic track that’s been sought after since spring, and the Belgian ballista unlocks a thick-edged club bomb in ‘Remember.’

Leaders of Drumcode’s new brigade, exciting Brazilian Wehbba and British techno alchemist Boxia set out to impress. Wehbba’s straight-talking ‘Just’ hits with an immediate sense of urgency before neck-snap claps strike with force, and Boxia’s ‘Final Call’ elicits physical engagement with mellifluous vocals and soaring pads. 

Continuously looking to bolster the profiles of emerging talent, Berlin-based producers Weska and Juliet Fox are brought into the fold with equally engaging razor-sharp tracks that are primed to do lasting damage. 

Other notable highlights include an exhilarating workout from Reset Robot - the most released artist on Beyer’s imprint Truesoul – as he lands on Drumcode for the first time. And tastemaker’s favourite Jel Ford makes a welcome return as he ushers in techno rhythms with bustling breaks in ‘Nightshade.’

Elsewhere, support from label mainstays comes in from Bart Skils, who offers a work of consummate skill in ‘West Of The Moon.’ Alan Fitzpatrick, who’s been heavily featured across the A-Side series, joins forces with Scuba as he operates as his uncompromising alias SCB. The result is a propulsive floor-gripper that testifies to their masterful deftness as co-producers. Formidable duos Dense & Pika and Pig&Dan also contribute with powerful compositions.

Alan Fitzpatrick x SCB - Untitled - Drumcode - DC195

Charlotte de Witte - Remember - Drumcode - DC195

Victor Ruiz - Pulso - Drumcode - DC195

Juliet Fox - Wanted Me - Drumcode - DC195

Christian Smith & John Selway - Burning Chrome - Drumcode - DC195

Ramiro Lopez - Delta - Drumcode - DC195

Reset Robot - Self Existence - Drumcode - DC195

Boxia - Final Call - Drumcode - DC195

Man With No Shadow - Manila - Drumcode - DC195

Weska - Other Places - Drumcode - DC195

Secret Cinema & Reinier Zonneveld - Pain Thing - Drumcode - DC195

Jay Lumen - Stella Luce - Drumcode - DC195

Bart Skils - West of the Moon - Drumcode - DC195

soundcloud:tracks:488487369

Techno

Marzo Lito