• Label: MEANWHILE
• Cat No: MEAN020CD
• 08/03/2010  

When a techno album of this calibre lands on the doorstep you’ve just got to sit up and take notice. Meanwhile has once again proven that it’s one of the finest labels in any country and can stand tall and proud with the best of them. Conforce’s pedigree as a producer is certainly not in question and after a series of excellent releases comes this absolutely outstanding full length work. Everything I love about machine music is here in abundance, be it the kind of chords and pads that make me want to weep with joy, clattering percussion with more Motor City goodness than a lot of actual Motor City releases, depth, warmth, groove, soul, funk… you name it, it’s here. From the dramatic and classically retro intro with a slight tinge of house to the percussion, through to the more subliminal, rolling dubbed-out grooves, everything’s in place here to give you a scintillating ride through the purest of sounds. Check the samples and revel in one of the best long players I’ve heard in some time. Meanwhile are 100% on the money here and massive props go to Boris for an awesome collection of tracks.

• Label: MEANWHILE
• Cat No: MEAN020
• 08/03/2010  

When a techno album of this calibre lands on the doorstep you’ve just got to sit up and take notice. Meanwhile has once again proven that it’s one of the finest labels in any country and can stand tall and proud with the best of them. Conforce’s pedigree as a producer is certainly not in question and after a series of excellent releases comes this absolutely outstanding full length work. Everything I love about machine music is here in abundance, be it the kind of chords and pads that make me want to weep with joy, clattering percussion with more Motor City goodness than a lot of actual Motor City releases, depth, warmth, groove, soul, funk… you name it, it’s here. From the dramatic and classically retro intro with a slight tinge of house to the percussion, through to the more subliminal, rolling dubbed-out grooves, everything’s in place here to give you a scintillating ride through the purest of sounds. Check the samples and revel in one of the best long players I’ve heard in some time. Meanwhile are 100% on the money here and massive props go to Boris for an awesome collection of tracks.

• Label: MEANWHILE
• Cat No: MEAN018
• 08/03/2010  

Having come out slightly before the full album, the Love & Hate EP forms a natural companion to the vinyl version of the album by providing the tracks that are only on the CD version. The cuts on offer here are the purest of techno workouts that combine the warmth and flavour of Detroit chords with some seriously grooving rhythms and plenty of playability. I’m not going to start picking favourite from the Meanwhile catalogue because that would just be silly, but I have to say that this is absolutely up there with the best of them. Deep, authentic and truly momentous electronic vibes of the highest quality. A truly essential release once more from the ever superb Meanwhile imprint. Don’t miss!

• Label: THE LAND OF
• Cat No: LND010
• 07/03/2010  

More info to follow.

• Label: HUMMING CONCH
• Cat No: CONCH006
• 07/03/2010  

More info to follow.

• Label: HUMMING CONCH
• Cat No: CONCH003
• 07/03/2010  

More info to follow.

• Label: HUMMING CONCH
• Cat No: CONCH002
• 07/03/2010  

More info to follow.

• Label: FORWIND
• Cat No: FWD01
• 07/03/2010  

More info to follow.

• Label: AMPOULE
• Cat No: TALENT32
• 02/03/2010  

Well, well, well… what have we here? Yup, that’s right it’s a new release and a new artist (well, kind of…) on the ever superb Ampoule label. Something of a different direction here in some ways, yet firmly rooted in the sound and style that’s been developed over the years. What’s immediately apparent right from the off is the darker feeling with some bit-reduced percussive sounds to give it some real oomph. It’s almost a strange kind of mixture of electro and dubstep in some ways, although that doesn’t quite describe it well enough. The first and last tracks concentrate on this vibe whilst the middle tracks are more reminiscent of, dare I say it, some of Pub’s more experimental work. With that said you’ll hear some familiar motifs in the form of melodic arpeggios and the kind of chords you’ve come to know and love from Ampoule as well as a blend of electronica and techno style percussive elements. Good start to 2010 this and as always it’s a right old limited edition of 100 numbered copies only. Check!

• Label: HOME NORMAL
• Cat No: HOMEN013
• 02/03/2010  

It’s always a pleasure to be able to bring you a new Ian Hawgood related release, and it feels almost sweeter when it’s on his own Home Normal label. Beginning life as the album ‘Soundtrack To A Film In My Head Which Will Never Get Made’ released on Rope Swing Cities, this collection of reworkings of those tracks is really quite a gorgeous selection of organic electronica par excellence. With artists of the calibre of Remote Viewer, Danny Norbury, Hannu, Chihei Hatakeyama, Ten And Tracer, Frederico Durand, Green Kingdom, Library Tapes, Color Cassette, Geskia and more all providing their own unique takes on Ian’s originals you can no doubt imagine how exceptional this album is. Each artist brings their own unique sound to the interpretations and creates a whole new micro-world of listening pleasure. Overridingly organic and full of engaging, charming sounds and textures, this is simply a must have album for fans of any of the artists involved and, of course, Home Normal itself. I think I’m also allowed to mention that all of the proceeds from the album are going to a UK charity which is close to Ian’s heart. Recommended? You bet. Gorgeous stuff.