Thomas Hessler returns with his second full EP for IMF, with four tracks further establishing the on-the-rise German producer's talent for sleek, agile techno.
EP opener Push is the record's most intense cut, brimming with a powerful intent that's barely contained by the track's dramatic surging synths. It's followed by Rise, which matches its rhythmic urgency to an escalating melody that teases while it builds towards its cathartic 'house lights up' moment.
The record's B1 track, the aptly-titled Reflections, is the EP's most contemplative, with an unwavering pulse underpinning a subtle rising-and-falling melody that always threatens to burst into technicolour before dipping back into darkness. Finally, EP closer The Hope may be optimistically named yet is conversely the track most likely to incite dancefloor panic, with a drum rhythm that bucks like a rodeo bull, to which your best course of action is to hold on tight and enjoy the ride. More

Deep and hypnotic. That pretty much sums up the new Nacreous-EP by Shoal on the Dutch imprint NOWHERE. The title refers to a certain glow or color that mother-of-pearl radiates. Shoal is the alter ego of Utrecht-resident Kenny Dean Kneefel. When you have a name that sounds like a famous stuntman, you are probably prepared to take more risks. And indeed that's exactly what this producer from the lowlands does on Nacreous. Shoal's four track EP combines hallucinant grooves with delicate sound design. Like on Bygone Drums, where ominous distant sounds from a nearby factory creep between the shadows. The same can be said of the title track, a tribalistic tune with a delicate dark undertone. Never Endings is more uplifting, with its dubbed out basslines and crispy hi-hats. Dubtechno that reminds us of both Monolake and Fluxion. Closing track Morning Float is indeed that, a trip in a blue tank filled with warm water, where you are comforted by beautiful strings and sounds of nature. More

Wait, what? A new Quince? Call the newspapers! It has been YEARS since the Dutch techno producer from Utrecht found the peace of mind to actually release something. In fact, the Anthology of Interest EP on the illustrious NOWHERE series is his first proper record in eight years. His daytime job as a medic kept him rather occupied. You might remember those times when there was a pandemic around? We missed Quince, even though his sound is rather timeless. Fluid Detroit infused techno with pulsating rhythms, alluring keyboard stabs and sultry basslines, like on Ghost In The Machine and the extremely funky The Butterjunk Effect. Opening track Meanwhile has that hazy peak time feel you love so much while dancing with your eyes closed. But the winner of this very versatile EP may just be Space Pilot 3000. A futuristic and jumpy electro-track where the worlds of Drexciya and Juan Atkins collide in a blinding orange supernova. Can someone call a doctor! More

A new spring, a new label, a new direction. NOWHERE is closely linked to the Utrecht-bunch of Something Happening Somewhere. They kick off with the acid tingled Substance EP by Human Space Machine. Part of the Amsterdam techno collective De Lichting, Human Space Machine is driven by Mike Jungerius . Although he does sprinkle some techno-DNA over his spacious productions, his machines often take you much deeper into the realm. The title track alone is a truly hypnotising affair. Close your eyes and soon all that matters is releasing those hips while forgetting where you are. Onwards with Dong, which will remind some Dutch techno heads of early Steve Rachmad productions. Futuristic funk in optima forma. 30803 is a word play on two very important instruments in dance music, when acid house was a big thing and the world around you was still simple. Closer Track003 is equally vintage, nodding back to the days when The Black Dog and As One were considered the new techno gods. UK beauty with a crystal-clear Amsterdam twist. If NOWHERE means getting lost in the machine, we gladly tag along. More

Excellent high impact techno from Amsterdam, where Italian producer Francesco Rosati found his home. After releases on labels like Absolute, Sungate and Voltage, the 'Encounter' EP is his debut release for the NOWHERE series on Something Happening, Somewhere (SoHaSo). Rosati calls his new EP a statement to his stylistic musical output. He uses a hybrid setup of vintage analog machines and digital devices. For Encounter he wanted to grab the spirit of the moment. All five tracks were recorded directly in a single take, capturing pure energy. It is probably the most pure techno release SoHaSo has done in a while. Opener Stabber alone is pure energy, with its roling Reese-like baselines, mesmerizing hi-hats and hypnotizing loops. The whole EP is a respectful nod to Detroit masters like Robert Hood and Jeff Mills while it also winks back to the menacing UK techno sound of the 90s. Or like Rosati says on his Soundcloud: ''Future is the door - past is the key.'' More

Everybody loves a good mystery. The second chapter of the NOWHERE Series brings you to France, Kalamazoo, Arnhem and Den Haag. Four forgotten dance floor bangers by folks who clearly remember the first summer of love, back in 1988. All remastered for your listening pleasure and available again on vinyl. First up is a dark and twisted acid track by Laurent Garnier. Flashback stems from 1997, but has aged like a good single malt whiskey from France. You better believe it. It Talks To Me is proper Detroit techno, with it's abstract stabs and moody strings. Except it's from Kalamazoo, where Donnell Knox resides and where he -since 1995- has pumped out an amazing discography. You can't get any closer to early Transmat-energy than with this raw track. On the flip it is over to Holland, for two forgotten gems. Inferno only came out on vinyl, back in 1993. On the legendary label Gyrate. It's a full on acid affair, with a massive break. Made by Dutchies Frederik (of Pako & Frederik fame), Eric De Man & Heiko van Eindhoven. Solartrek by Roland Klinkenberg was picked up by I-F in 1995 for his Top Secret label. The energetic and surprisingly bright track is now remastered and available again on vinyl and on digital platforms for the very first time. More

Italian producer from Napoli, Diego Amura, delivers here a diligent techno along beautiful layer synth, create intrigue and suspense, surprise us, then finally bring us back to something more mental with scintillating melody. More

Second release on Nowhere with new duo of the moment Detect Audio aka Arnaud Le Texier & Antonio De Angelis with remix by Johannes Volk from Exploration! Ace ! More