Techno

Claire Sawers’ interview with ASTRYD from earlier in the year highlighted their work in experimental techno as promoters of queer-centric parties, live performers and DJs. Following up on their debut EP Blind Summit, the Bristol-based duo have invited four producers to deliver new abstractions of their original tracks for the Blind Summit Reworked EP. Amongst the excellent results from their findings, which lean heavily into modernist techno territory, is this snappy, industrial-tinged version of ‘Allocated Leisure Time’ by Memory Play. Be sure to check the other sure shots from Machine Woman, Delay Grounds and El Hardwick too though.

We’ve been wondering where the mighty Armon Bazile has been at for a little while now, and just like that, he drops a new EP on deepblak. An initial listen suggests this is packed full of the cosmically-charged rhythms and tones he’s forged his name on, taking the inquisitive spirit of spiritual jazz, Detroit techno and West London broken beat to the next step.

Photo credit: Marie Staggat

We love all the music Tadd Mullinix touches, but we missed this. Over the latter half of 2020 he slipped out some one-shot tracks on his Bandcamp under his JTC moniker. These are now known as the Red Series. The framing of these pieces, undoubtedly helped by the sick artwork, somehow adds weight to what can feel like the disposability of a digi-only release. A classy touch like we’d expect from this cat.

Someone misses legendary Morley techno mecca The Orbit so much, they’ve built it in Minecraft. For a taste of what The Orbit was like in full flight during its 90s heyday, check this. Tip-off courtesy of Martin Guttridge-Hewitt.