Repress!

New mastering and new cutting of one of Metroplex's keystone releases More

Metroplex continues its run of reissues with two more seminal releases from the label's golden back catalog. First off is Catalog number M003, aka late 80's Metroplex electro staple Channel One, a Juan Atkins joint with Doug Craig (Carl Craig's cousin) on vocals. Futuristic and playful techno from the late 80s which soundwise evolves from Cybotron and the obvious Kraftwerk influences. Juan Atkins said about the release in a 2005 interview that "it was more fun than politically driven, just about the colors and combination spread from colors". An important release in the history of Techno from both a cultural and creative perspective. Channel One's technicolor has been carefully remastered from the original tapes. Truly timeless stuff! More

Juan Atkin's masterpiece compilation, the blueprint of Techno albums.... the 1993 Model 500 'Classics' compilation with some of Juan Atkins' biggest early Metroplex milestones, with some of them in exclusive remixed versions. 3 decades later Metroplex is re-releasing this collection of hugely influential tracks for a new generation to play from fresh and clean vinyl!. Just like the recent 12" reissue series, this album has been fully remastered with all the care and attention to detail you can imagine. Tracks like ,,No UFOs", ,,The Chase", ,,Techno Music", ,,Night Drive (Time, Space, Transmat)" or ,,Off To Battle" are basically techno ground zero, with the electro influence of mid-80s to late-80s Juan Atkins productions still omnipresent. 30 years on since its original release on R&S records, 'Classics' is still as gritty and timeless a statement as ever. Pure sonic futurism! More

Metroplex continues its run of reissues with more seminal releases from the label's essential back catalog. The long-awaited reissue of M024: Model 500's eternal techno meditation "Starlight", a mid-90s collaboration with dub techno maestro Moritz von Oswald of Basic Channel, Maurizio, and Rhythm & Sound fame. Remastered from original tapes and sounding super fresh. Essential techno masterpiece! More

Metroplex dont need an introduction, arguably worlds first and longest running Techno label. OCb aka Driss Bennis is a new face at Metroplex. Since starting his own label Casa Voyager in 2017, the Moroccan artist has gained a reputation for being as versatile an A&R as a producer. Hie debuts his OCB project on Metroplex with ,,The Sequel", an expansive five-tracker, covering a wide range of musical territory from funk-infused breakbeats, fast-paced electro bass, chilled downbeats to focused techno. The astral pads in the opening track ,,THX (The Sequel)" give way to lush electro beats, a funky bass line and warm chords before a vocoded voice exclaims ,,trans human express". Despite its slightly menacing title, ,,Global Warning" has the same ethereal star-gazing vibe, driven by breakbeats and accentuated by dreamy piano chords. On the flip side, the fast-paced electro of ,,Syntax Error" does its title justice with highly-processed fragments of a robotic voice propel the track forward. ,,Translate" is classic Motor City techno - Metroplex style. ,,The Sequel" rounds off with a short, chilled downtempo track, that once again underscores Bennis' musicality. Metroplex is back!! More

With Augustus Williams Metroplex welcomes one of Detroit's new generation of electro and techno explorers to the label. His debut titled ,,Increaser EP" offers four tracks of celestial funk deeply indebted to the classic sound of Metroplex. The EP starts off with ,,The Hook-Up", a bouncy yet minimal electro permutation built around a propulsive Bassline and a percolating synth arpeggio. On the other three tracks Williams flexes his techno muscle and shows his keen sense for deep and focused techno-soul with a futurist edge that has any dance floor heaving with energy. - most notably in the noisy abstractions of ,,Submission". More

Legendary and genre-defining Detroit label Metroplex is remastering and rereleasing a run of carefully selected releases from its classic-studded catalogue. The remastering is done with equal care. Thanks to newest mastering technologies, these techno and electro benchmarks, taken from original sources, have never sounded better. The first two rereleases are M001 and M002: Model 500's ,,Night Drive (Through Babylon)" and ,,no UFOs". Futurist transmissions from techno's ground zero. Watch this space for more. More

back by popular demand due to the current ford commercial this is a limited repress of a true classic - one of the most influential techno cuts ever!! More

Repress!

2020 reboot for Detroit's legendary Metroplex.

The Label Say "Cologne based producer Bas Grossfeldt has crafted an outstanding release perfectly aligned with Juan Atkin’s brilliant Metroplex aesthetic. As a relatively new name in the scene, Bas Grossfeldt’s music sounds as if it were the results of decades of focused experience in the studio.

With a background in installation, choreography and performance art, Bas Grossfeldt is the artists alias to focus on the musical side of things. His deeply rooted interest in the relation of space and body is also translated into his music. The fusion of spaced-out textures, rhythmical distortions, cold waves of synthesis, and enough modern production prowess ensures a release saturated with innovation and abundant imagination. A rare release for the seminal Detroit label, which also represents Juan Atkins’ interest in the arts world and new, different approaches.

The exchange between the label head and the artist, initially came to life because internationally renown conceptual artist Mischa Kuball, knowing Juan from a joint project, sent him the demo of Bas Grossfeldt. Especially intrigued by the track „Lost In Translation“, Juan and Bas started exchanging, approaching the record as an „art project“ and a classical EP at the same time, for example leading into the cover being made by Bas Grossfeldt/Søren Siebel himself and including numerous hidden references to the sound.

Each track embraces an incredible array of sounds and styles, from soundscapes to mind-bending Techno – all equally as effective for the brain as the dancefloor.

“Lost In Translation” opens the release with a cinematic piece of electronica permeating with frozen emotion and melancholic soul. The beautiful track captures a foggy morning’s haze, the first chill of winter with only a gentle kick-drum keeping the cold from completely taking over. It is also accompanied with a hypnotizing abstract video by film-artist Svenja Voß.

Continuing in a dubby, winter haze is “Lost In Sensation” which floats alongside a sharp, metallic rhythmic arrangement and a gentle, ever-present kick drum. Deep, heavily saturated atmospheric textures sleep underneath the sounds while lucid melodies float in and out.

“Your Orbit” rounds out the release with the most club-ready production. Disorienting melodies and gritty synths capture a dreamlike perception while a tough kick drum and clattering percussion drives the music deeper into undiscovered dancing territories just left of center. "

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Steep is from the depths of space of the future landing squarely in the now. Galactic space ships landing gear sound something like this. The b side offers a dub rework ready for the dancefloor.

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Demi Riquisimo’s Semi Delicious return for their 18th vinyl only excursion via Berlin based Revivis’ ‘Surrender The Body’ EP.

A dance floor focused 4 tracker, the EP is a distillation of the sonic palette quickly becoming synonymous with the sound of Revivis, nodding to the past whilst looking to the future, all through the lens of timeless house fundamentals.

The release kicks off with ‘Pick Me Up’, a diva vocal affected chugger that leans on the 90s progressive aesthetic whilst remaining versatile and current. The A-side wraps up with the title track ‘Surrender The Body’. A minimal fuss, hands in the air, euphoric piano house jam that can be noted for it’s subtlety despite it’s anthemic nature.

No foreplay on the flip as we’re straight into the mixer via ’Perceptions’. A sample heavy four/four beat combines with a bass line that implores your head to nod along a menacing top line.. big peak time business on this one. Closing out a wildy impressive Semi Delicious debut from Revivis is ‘Ruminating’ bringing with it a healthy helping of gospel keys and acid. More

Repress!
On the label (A-Side):
This special release is dedicated to Detroit DJ Legend Ken Collier. His untimely passing deeply touched me personally, as he was one of a small few who always supported me & my music. Because of Ken Collier, Detroit developed a dance scene, which inspired artist & producers to make dance records, which gave birth to Techno, which has provided careers for many of you in the business today. So I dare ask all you techno producers, djs, record labels, record shops, techno magazines, clubs which play techno music, and fans of techno to pay respect to Ken Collier just as you would our other fine music innovators.

Side B:
However, this special compilation isn't about techno, it's about H.O.U.S.E. sounds - broadcasting it to you live from the inside in lovely Ste - re - o!!. This record contains no artist or track listing because i don't want this to be about who made the tracks, track titles, or even who wrote this commentary. This record is my personal tribute to him and how he has motivated me to make my contributions to house music. Thank you Ken Collier, for helping me grow not just as a dj or record producer, but as a person. Every dj and dance artist here in Detroit owes thanks to you for going out into the musical forest, chopping down trees, thus paving the way for us to build HOUSE!.

"In Loving Memory Of Detroit DJ Legend Ken Collier"

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Embarking on a celestial journey, "The Day And Night" drops on Sex Tapes From Mars, unfolding as a four-track odyssey, each piece serving as a stellar waypoint in the vast universe of groove. Thudding drums, warbling bass, and tingling synth leads - Ildec’s sonic tapestry transcends conventional techno, with a hard focus on the 90s, blurring the lines between the earthly and the extraterrestrial. With each track, he invites listeners to lose themselves in the infinite expanse of deep, titillating sound.

The journey kicks off with "Pesadillas", a haunting exploration of dark, atmospheric textures intertwined with pulsating rhythms, transporting the dancefloor into their subconscious.

"Listo Para El Space" emerges as a guiding light in the night, its hypnotic beats, vintage prodding bassline, and ethereal chords propelling woozy momentum forward into the stratosphere and beyond.

"Dai Fra" follows suit, weaving intricate sonic layers with its relentless disco-esque bassline, and retro synths, evoking a sense of weightlessness.

"You High" on the flip isn't merely a late-night bop; it's a sonic manifesto that celebrates the boundless potential of electronic music past and future, and as a medium for transcendence. Ildec's approach defies categorisation, drawing inspiration from a myriad of influences to create a sound that is both timeless and futuristic.

As Sex Tapes From Mars continues to lead the charge in sonic innovation, their sixth outing stands as a testament to the label's commitment to lesser-heard artistic excellence. Ildec's offering serves to guide listeners to distant galaxies and offers a glimpse into the infinite possibilities of outsider dancefloor moments. More

Re-issue of the classic Mr Barcode original "The Rise Of The Machines" includes two new remixes by Ricardo Villalobos. More

Introductory track Mushroom Waltz eases the listener in through a combination of dreamy pads and upbeat chords, before Midnight with T moves into more soulful territory with a New York-inspired cut which is both moody and spacious. Early Flight manages to build a cerebral atmosphere, whilst possessing the snapping drums which are so characteristic of what you can expect to hear from Dom in full flow. Acid Rain carries an air of nostalgia around it, as Cappello turns to a vocal sample from friend and house music luminary Kerri Chandler’s seminal house anthem Rain, utilising the lyrics in a way which perfectly complements the gradual progression of the track towards a powerful, acid-tinged crescendo. This rising intensity is also present on 3am Jamaica Street, a throbbing, peak-time belter which would no-doubt be best listened to through Sub Club’s pulsating sound system. A different type of atmosphere is created on Moon Jump, where languid melodies allow to create a track which does justice to the inspiration of the more house-orientated work of classic Underground Resistance. Basement Philosophy rounds off with two more electro-inspired euphonies, which signifies why Domenic Cappello and Alien Communications are such an appropriate pairing. Burning Past is a blissful, floating number whereas Not for Instagram DJs is an aptly-named way to conclude the album, with a driving, floor-focused beat providing a fitting and dynamic finale. Imagine Marty Bonds meets Glenn Underground. More