August: 22 techno releases you need to hear this month

Hannes Bieger 'Strato' (Poker Flat)

One of Europe’s most sought-after studio mixers steps out from the shadows to resume his own solo career with this debut EP on Poker Flat. Here on Steve Bug’s label, Hannes Bieger proves he can throw down with the best of them, with two tracks that are full of drama. ‘Strato’ builds neatly, with a variety of analogue elements epitomising the Poker Flat sound and getting him off
to a flying start.

8/10

Mark Fanciulli 'Final Approach' (Motech)

Mark Fanciulli lands on Motech with this thumping cut that’s aimed straight at the dancefloor. The track’s 4x4 beats are crisp and punchy, perfectly supporting the buzzsaw-esque synth riff and making this a surefire bet for mid-set mayhem. A bright top-line adds more depth, running parallel to the synth and giving the track an even more vibrant outlook.

7/10

DJ Deep 'La Grande Brasserie' (Rekids)

The donski himself, DJ Deep, is back with two separate EPs this month. His Rekids release is our focus here, and ‘La Grande Brasserie’ is undoubtedly the standout track A deeply hypnotic bassline catches you straight away, while unpredictable percussive elements and a cheeky hint of acid that quickly becomes increasingly prominent add to the contagious energy. This is a stone-cold killer.

7/10

David Douglas 'C’est La Nuit' (LOR remix) (Atomnation)

Creeping, almost timid techno here, with Belfast boy LOR on the remix for David Douglas. This one has a really slow build and plays out in a very measured way. A French female vocal punctuates the breakdown and repeats throughout the rest of this hypnosis-inducing workout, which uses clever understatement to lure you into its sultry web.

8/10

Ben Long 'Calling Broadsword' (Jamie Bissmire remix) (EPM Music)

Jamie Bissmire’s remix of Ben Long’s ‘Calling Broadsword’ starts out slightly coyly, but it’s not long before the classic steeping techno beats really kick in and he unleashes some simmering fury. This is heavyweight and slick, and you should get ready for the siren that comes in after the two-and-a-half minute mark; it gives the tune a whole other dimension. A brief breakdown allows some breathing space before we’re thrown back in the mix again.

7/10

Bleak 'Abyss' (Cabrera)

Anything called ‘Abyss’ is bound to be kinda deep, right? Bleak gets it spot on with this energetic slice of rolling techno: it’s one of those tunes that spreads its energy around like a contagious disease, subtle but still deep, dark and rolling. A perfect weapon for those wanting to take everyone on the floor a few leagues below the surface.

8/10

Patrice Bäumel 'Sorcery' (Speicher)

The title of this track says everything that needs to be said, as Patrice flexes his wizard-like skills to produce a mesmerising tune full of atmospherics that will engulf and transport you into a mythical land of wonder. It takes a while to really get going but when it does… boy oh boy, it’s magic. We’ll refrain from making a joke about his wand, though.

9/10

[Kobosil photo credit: Sven Marquardt]