Page 61 - Zone Magazine Issue 018

\\ TUNES
Various - 5 Years In Love With Involve [Involve]
Involve are one of the labels of the year for me, every release they put out is of a high quality, and you can imagine my surprise when a twelve track CD dropped through the door. Especially when the majority of the twelve tracks are such gems I couldn't resist putting them into a set. Label owner Regal's hilariously titled 'Send Nudes', is an ode to rave with some breakbeats on top of a meandering techno number. Germany's FJAAK also manage to turn in a hell of a groovy number on 'The Tube' (my personal favourite on the album), and with releases from Jeroen Search, Boston 168, Alien Rain, Cosmin TRG and Z.I.P.P.O to name but a few, this is an essential purchase for any serious techno fan!
https://involve-records.bandcamp.com/album/5-years-in-love-with-involve-cd
JOSEL - Where Is Pedro [Astir]
Only three releases old, Bath's Astir are proving their worth as a label to look out for, with varied progressive grooves. For this release they have enlisted the production talents from Greek's JOSEL (who has previously released on Detone and 2600 among others). 'Where Is Pedro' is an emotional, deep number that has some charismatic synth work, alongside some not too frenetic percussion which is great in this day and age where for a change the groove is what's being focused on rather than chaos. With remixes on offer from label owner Real Gone Kid (who has some quality forthcoming releases up his sleeve) and Invinta, this is worth a look for early on in a peak time set.
https://soundcloud.com/astirrecordings/where-is-pedro-original-mix
RECOMMENDED
Dast - Phantom [Etruria Beat]
Another month another Etruria Beat! Not really surprising as they are one of the most consistent labels out there, and this new release from Italy's Dast is particularly special. Of the four original tracks on offer, title track 'Phantom' stands out, being the perfect set opener, hypnotically drawing you in with some dark strings, quirky vocal stabs and then leading into a monster of a kick drum. When some tripped out sirens kick in about half way through you realise how powerful this is! 'Invictus' is also a welcoming synth laden number to really twist with your subconcious, while 'Dysturbia' will scare the living daylights out of you, just what the doctor ordered for Halloween.
https://soundcloud.com/etruriabeat/sets/dast-phantom-ep
Charlotte De Witte - Closer [Mary Go Wild Black]
If you are into your techno, there is no escaping Charlotte De Witte at the moment, and fair play to her, she's worked very hard and it's nice to see that someone in her position of playing major festivals on a weekly occurrence hasn't sold out and still manages to keep her sets dark and mysterious. This is also evident in her productions with 'Closer' on Holland's Mary Go Wild. Softly spoken vocals are placed on top of a huge kick drum with ridiculous levels of tension throughout. Acid builder 'Nothing' and the deeper cut 'Motion' also round off the EP nicely, with all three tracks getting repeated airings internationally!
https://soundcloud.com/charlottedewittemusic/sets/charlotte-de-witte-closer-ep-mary-go-wild-
Saytek - Live Jams Vol 2 [Detone]
Saytek is certainly a name to look out for in 2018. I know that's quite a bold claim to make, but with leading names of the scene such as Carl Cox and Mr C praising him greatly, and with such a diverse skillset and live production finesse there's no doubt as to why. Here he continues his Live Jams EP series with seven tracker on Darren Emerson's awesome Detone label. Managing to fuse acid, house and techno so well, with choice cuts on the release being the wonderful 'Overdrive (Live)' and also '1994 (Live)' and the 'Get Liberated (Live)', perfect to take your sets to a more melodic place but still taking no prisoners throughout.
https://www.traxsource.com/title/888411/live-jams-vol-2
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