Page 56 - Zone Magazine Issue 015

Remco Beekwilder - LSD [Monnom Black] - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
I have been waiting for the best part of a year for this to touch down and believe men when I say that both Remco and Monnom Black will be huge this year. Having been tipped by Holland's Stranger as one to watch, fellow countryman Remco has had some quality bookings since and has a production style that focuses on darker and harder techno. Title track 'LSD' is a ferocious monster with a booming kick and driving bass groove that meanders throughout the track, vocal snippets are played to perfection amidst an eerie synth riff that really does twist you up! The other tracks are more than worthy of a mention too, with the equally dark 'Human Mind' propping up recent sets! Full marks. http://www.juno.co.uk/products/remco-beekwilder-lsd-ep/649617-01/
Transient X4 - Outlaw [Future Deja Vu] - Zone Recommended Tune - 9/10
A new label on me, but one that has definitely left a good impression with such a dark first release. Hailing from Germany, Future Deja Vu is part of the K1971 stable. With remixes of both originals coming from The Plant Worker and PVS, you knew you were in for a treat but it's the originals themselves that do the most damage! 'Acid Train' for me stands out the most, with a quirky distorted 303 that's twisted over a huge kick drum, and what more could you possibly ask for?!
'Randomized' is a similar number with a dark brooding kick drum and synth work that is like the title insists, random, however both certainly have their place! http://www.juno.co.uk/products/transient-x4-outlaw-ep/650254-01/
MUSIC REVIEWS
Louk [UK] - Techno - Hard
Mauro Picotto - A Call In The Club [Alchemy] - Zone Rating - 9/10
Italy's techno pioneer Mauro flies the flag with a new album that follows on from 2015's awesome 'From Heart To Techno'. On 'A Call In The Club', things are a little more chilled but there are still some strong club numbers that are more than worthy of a spin! 'Organic Electronic' is my choice cut of the album, a meticulous bass groove that builds and builds relentlessly over some chunky percussion. 'Blue Dot' will appeal to those who like their melodies and 'Cazzenbeis' is for the downright filthy. It's nice to see Mauro drop a few vocal numbers throughout the release as well, the consistency and quality that has been there since the nineties is still in existence today Awesome work. https://www.beatport.com/track/a-call-in-the-club-original-mix/9261434
Ghost303 - Mapping A Messiah [BXR] - Zone Rating - 8/10
BXR were one of the hugest exports of quality trance and techno in the nineties and throughout the turn of the millennium, after a hiatus they have relaunched and release number two is from Bulgaria's Ghost303. A name I must admit I am not aware of but this five tracker for BXR certainly wins favour and has had quite a few plays! 'Order Of Things' and 'Punish 1970' are the tracks that do the most damage, both featuring distorted leads and rather driving percussion that works wonders, yet they are not so tough that you could also play them early on in the evening as well. The whole EP is varied and has something for everyone, check it out! https://www.beatport.com/label/bxr-media-records/53455
RoogUnit - Mesh [Mote Evolver] - Zone Rating - 7/10
When two producers whose work you have championed for years team up, you know the results are going to be something extraordinary, and that is exactly what RoogUnit (a meeting of minds between Luke Slater and 0 Phase) have come up with! On this three tracker for Luke's Mote Evolver label, the two meld their quirky styles of techno together, with three sublime sonic onslaughts that sound like they have come straight from Berlin. With title track 'Mesh' and 'Bugeye' both holding their own a strong productions, it is 'The Chains' that steals the show with a repeated organ riff and some metallic drums that remind you of being lost in a warehouse at 4 AM. https://www.deejay.de/Roogunit_Mesh_Ep_MOTE049_Vinyl__272607
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