As the At The Controls series continues to churn out fantastic minimal tech-house gems, one begins to wonder. Could AtC be for the new wave of tech-house what Global Underground is for only the best in progressive trance/house? The ever-impressive artists selected to compile for AtC would seem to suggest so. Agoria follows Claude Vonstroke’s AtC and genuinely impresses me with the quality of both discs. AtC 4 is quite different from the others in the series, however; one can classify the first three as shining examples of several of the top players in the minimal tech-house genre. Agoria’s release…

I have always seen Steve Lawler as one of the truest pioneers of dark tribal house, though in recent years I have witnessed a profound metamorphosis in his musical philosophy. Whilst Dark Drums and NuBreed 3 will forever be the defining albums of his career, Lawler has proven that he has the ability to branch out, balancing successfully on even the thinnest branches. Clear examples of this experimentation can be found on Lights Out 2 & 3 and Viva – which were all well and good. But now, enter Viva: London – A sensible album, not only as a tribute…

If you’ve ever heard Sultan speak on Connected Live or have merely caught yourself a glimpse of his hair, you no doubt are familiar with his spirited and positive good nature. Graciously, these attributes that make him such a unique player in the modern EDM scene translate from mind to music – which is perhaps the reason why Yoshitoshi: Montreal has to be my favorite Yoshitoshi release to date. Sultan represents tracks of his own creation in four of the disc’s fourteen tracks alongside featured DJs including Ned Shepard, Stephanie Vezina and Zara (and let’s not forget the Sultan/Ned Shepard…

The third installment of this flourishing series differs fundamentally from its predecessors, James Holden and M.A.N.D.Y. Whilst comparisons rarely prove helpful in determining an album’s merit, Claude Vonstroke’s effort oozes his unique touch and feel for mixing minimal house, but lacks the consistency of the first two AtC spanned over two discs. He selects some thick and satisfying tracks, several of which were released an unusual number of years ago to be included in such a package; it is gratifying, however, that due to superfluous mixing talent these “dated” tracks sound as much akin to the rest of the track…

I expect a lot of people to shy away from this album, very much like Adam Freeland’s effort. Global Underground’s fanbase is understandably leery after the release of several atypical EDM releases consecutively. For me, however much I might expect one thing and get another with GU these days, Rio de Janeiro was not what I expected. I suppose, secretly, I was hoping for a double-disc version of “Night Works.” But to their overwhelming credit, Layo & Bushwacka! step up and deliver an album that resonates acoustically, feels unrestrained and is alive with color and flavor. The flavors of almost…

After following the evolution of Dave Seaman’s Therapy Sessions, I was skeptical and at once intrigued about the fourth installment in the series. In my opinion, Dave’s mixes have been getting progressively less inspired whilst his guest’s mixes have been maintaining optimum quality levels. Since Dave’s chosen guest DJ was not available to contribute to this release, he’s decided to mix both discs himself – a worthy undertaking – and I think the room this left him, artistically speaking, provides more than enough fodder with which to resurrect the series on his own. And, quite frankly, he does just that.…

Entering with the audibly dark and spookish wavelength’s of Sasha’s “Coma,” the third installment of John Digweed’s Transitions series immediately displays the type of savagery that previous minimal-tech albums have all seemed to lack – that is, when the listener is looking for the dark side. When I listen to music of this caliber, I often think what the general progression might be analogous to; in this case, the best description I find myself with is that of a dimly lit room with a sharp and meticulously designed machine clicking, spinning and drilling away towards some undetermined end. And in…