In Session: ItaloJohnson

There are plenty of artists out there that market themselves through their anonymity as a way of selling records. Some do it with masks and the like and there are some that just want the music to be the main focus of the act without gimmicks or pretense.

ItaloJohnson fall into the latter category and although their identities and appearances have been kept under wraps, they've been putting out some of the most exciting house and techno of recent years.

Very few acts have gained as much momentum, so quickly, without us knowing so little about them.

So what do we know about the vinyl-only selectors? We know that they're a trio based in Germany and that's about it in terms of facts...

They burst onto the scene back in 2010 with an ItaloJohnson stamped vinyl called ITJ01. The 'Untitled' EP contained three tracks called 'Untitled' and every release since then, ten now over the last six years, have been labelled the same.

So that's around 40 tracks with no names or no titles and selectors with no identities or background. We're left very little to work with other than one important thing, the most important thing. The music.

Their rugged, rough round the edges house and techno has been lighting up dancefloors for years and although it's unnamed and hard to pick up, it's never hard to pin point the sound. Their first release was a bouncy, tech-infused roller that had summer running through its veins.

Since then, the releases have gotten better and better and their profile has risen catastrophically. Every release often sells out straight away and a swift trip to discogs will only cause eyebrows to be raised at the amount of money some of them are going for.

Last year we premiered the A1 from their ninth release and it was tougher and more dancefloor-inclined than the rest, showing that their production set knows no bounds. As has always been the case with the trio, expect the unexpected and revel in it.

It's house and techno music that harks back to the golden eras of the genres but it has its basis firmly rooted in the future.

Despite the completely hidden aspect of the act, they still play frequently around the world. They're regulars at Panorama Bar, have graced the hallowed grounds of DC-10 for Paradise and play in the UK several times a year. Pretty good going considering there's little to no promotion for their music or shows.

It's been a long time coming but now we can finally welcome ItaloJohnson to the In Session ranks and what a debut they've made. There's a mixture of glistening, pounding and raw house, wriggling acid and restless tech that shuffles and pulsates.

The music and mixing is of an expectantly gold standard and it's 90 minutes that you'll no doubt relive more than once. There's no tracklist for this one but then again, did we even expect one?

Wherever you are, whoever you are, ItaloJohnson, keep doing what you're doing, it's working.

ITJ 10 is out now

ItaloJohnson play Farr Festival on July 15 Bygrave Woods, Hertfordshire (25mins from Kings Cross), Weekend & Day tickets available here. They also play at Familia at Egg LDN on July 9 alongside Popof & more, tickets here

Funster is Mixmag's Digital Music Editor, follow him on Twitter here