Page 56 - Zone Magazine Issue 012

MUSIC REVIEWS
Louk [UK] - Hard Techno & Trance
Envoy - Dark Manoeuvres (Remixes) [Soma] - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
No doubt if you have the slightest interest in techno music, you will have heard the original of this track at some point in your life. Known by its charismatic dark strings and driving percussion that I can only liken to sounding like the theme tune to Jaws mixed with the after effects of a heavy night out, this has been played the world over. As part of Soma Records 25th anniversary, this set of remixes really do the damage, with SHDW and Obscure Shape pipping the others to the post with a ferocious sonic onslaught that retains the vibe of the original. The remixes from man of the moment Dax J, Tensal and Berghain's Norman Nodge are worthy of a spin as well.
https://www.beatport.com/release/dark-manoeuvres-soma25-remixes/1868571
Remco Beekwilder - 10th Planet [Self Reflektion] - Zone Recommended Tune -
9/10
I heard Ben Sims play this recently and immediately went and purchased it, as it's very rare to get a track with a decent melody on top of the usual noise you get with techno music (though we all love a bit of noise!). Remco is a new artist to me, but the whole EP on Stranger's Self Reflektion imprint is worthy of a spin. '10th Planet' is the cut of choice, featuring a meandering synth riff that twists as the track progresses, but also 'Irregular Acid' on the flip is a serious heads down techno cut. Expect both to have high rotation from yours truly to see out the year. Belter!
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/remco-beekwilder-10th-planet-ep/614253-01/
Dax J - Illusions Of Power [Electric Deluxe] - Zone Rating - 9/10
Fair pay to Dax J, over the last year he has really developed his own sound with DJ sets and productions that are second to none. What interests me is that he fuses the techno of yesteryear with today's production, and keeps the pace high as well. His latest release for Speedy J's Electric Deluxe label is six tracks of mentalism that manage to fit well when finding something harder to end a warm up set with, or slap bang in the middle of a peak time set. Cut of choice on 'Illusions Of Power' is the very simplistic yet fiercely driving 'Zulu Nation'. Fusing bare 808 percussion with a pounding kick drum works exceptionally well for me.
https://soundcloud.com/electric-deluxe/sets/edlx051-dax-j-illusions-of-power
Subb-An - Do It [Wow!] - Zone Rating - 8/10
This is a very interesting record from Subb-An, what I like is the fact that the title track fits well when played whilst building up a set, fusing techno and house nicely with some twisted vocals and dark atmospherics. The remix from Hector works for those who don't find the original as headstrong as well, with an excellent synth motif that stands out. The 'Terrace' mix of Untitled, on the vinyl, whilst being softer in comparison, is still worthy of a play or two. Just hearing it makes me reminisce about a gorgeous sunshine in the Balearic Isles and that's not a bad thing! Good work.
https://soundcloud.com/wow-recordings/wowvinylonly01-subb-an-do-it
Boris Brenecki - New York Trax 02 [New York Trax] - Zone Rating - 8/10
I love the ethos behind New York Trax, releasing music from artists that are living in the area and growing the community of releases seems very noble. And if they receive a quality demo from someone outside of the area, releasing it on the New York Imports label is also a good attitude to have. This time, an artist who is producing a mammoth amount of quality releases under his other alias of 'Ontal', delivers a three track EP under his real name that is as playable as it is aggressive.
'The Oven' is a haunting groove that really sets the mood, whilst 'Strictly Hardcore' is exactly that and is a lesson in brutality that simply must be played.
https://soundcloud.com/newyorktrax/sets/new-york-trax-02-by-boris-brenecki
52 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE 52 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE
56 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE