Techno don Christian Smith launches a brand new album concept for Renaissance – Platform, a mix that takes inspiration from the classic Detroit sound and the contemporary dancefloor…

Having made his name as a true heavyweight of the techno scene with a string of seminal productions to his name, Christian Smith is undoubtedly one of the best-respected names in the genre. Often collaborating with his long-time studio partner, John Selway, Christian’s work has set the benchmark for quality techno; as his releases with Josh Wink’s ‘Ovum’ imprint, John Digweed’s Bedrock, Steve Lawler’s ever-innovative Viva Music and of course, Renaissance, attest.…

“Sidetracked has been developed to show the other side of bands from the electronic genre who can, and do, DJ,” says Renaissance Geoff Oakes, “It’s an opportunity to offer a diverse, unique series, which makes Hercules & Love Affair the more than perfect choice to kick-start matters.”

Hercules’, aka Andy Butler, self-titled album on DFA wowed critics and music fans across the board in 2008 with tracks such as ‘Blind’ and ‘You Belong’. Their soulful blend of disco-inspired songs provided the perfect soundtrack to summer. A year on, ‘Sidetracked’ arrives just in time for those demanding a similar musical fix…

“As we build up to the release of my forthcoming masters album on June 1st, Renaissance and I are presenting a 20 minute clip of Disc One of my Masters mix for you to preview. We selected the passage from the middle of Disc One, so we pick it up with Guy Gerber’s Reshuffle remix of his ‘Stoppage Time…

Guy is one of my favorite producers in the last five years he has constantly delivered tracks that stay in my CD wallet for a long time. Be it ‘Knights Of Columbos’, the more recent ‘Timing’ or every track released in…

Renaissance celebrate the release of their 50th album with one of their favourite acolytes, Hernan Cattaneo…

There were only a handful of candidates to handle Renaissance’s 50th album milestone, but perhaps none more suited than Hernan Cattaneo. His previous entries into the series have established themselves as true classics, giving rise to calls, emails, even PM’s to the Renaissance office imploring us to re-secure the talents of the legendary South American.

In light of such demand, who were we to argue?

Add in the heightened anticipation of the fact it’s Hernan’s first compilation in two years and the stage…