Various – Rome_Barcelona 1.0

This is a record to watch out for. Absolutely brilliant, albeit highly diverse stuff from everyone involved. Giorgio Gigli's and Fabrizio Lapiana's collaboration is like a mixture of Rrose and Orphx. Nasty, slowly evolving, meticulously layered sound textures are introduced, with just enough of that weird groove permutation to mess with your mind a little more. While obviously a techno effort, the parallel with the Canadian duo was made to the flirting with drone overtones and industrial soundscapes. This will most probably appeal to fans of the now deceased Zooloft label, or any of the lengthier, trippier Rrose tracks (Mirror, Shrounds, Secretion). A great effort, and a mind trip if there was one in 2015.

The NX1 contribution is an awesome throwback to techno circa 2001-2003, pace wise. The subterranean grooves reminisce of a once heroic icon Marco Carola around 1998, and this pounding percussion and colossal, skillfully pulled-off build up brings to mind some of Eric Sneo's productions from around the 2002-2005 period. Tight as hell beats, a break Jochem Paap would not be embarrassed of, and clinical production vaults. Nods to the blurry past with a clear vision of the future. If you don't run a place under the ground with this one, you probably shouldn't be playing techno. Just goofing around, however this rectilinear, effervescent club techno, that just aims at getting your body properly moving is something we need much more of, given the fact most people just lazily float around at parties losing it to hiss and eight minute acoustic drones. Hardly an innovative piece, yet a great true to the techno art form track.

Error Etica drop a heavy club hitter as well, that really takes no prisoners once those drum rolls kick in with more menace around the 02:30 mark. Topped of those with those bouncy dynamic effects and the puzzling and buzzing sequence introduced during the break downs, this one is sure to work its way into more than a few techno sets. As stated, this won't win science fairs, then however, I hardly believe that's the goal here. You have three techno cuts, none of which are flawed from my perspective. Club oriented material brought to you from three separate angles, offering clear trademarks of their respective makers. Bottom line is you have three production outfits providing their vision of techno anno 2015. Diverse: yes. Useful: yes. Delivering: at all times. This is a label you ought to pay attention to.

On the sleeve is a picture taken from the 1934 FIFA World Cup quarter finals, Spain vs Italy. Artwork by Max_M (RIP)