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Ninja Tools Vol.6

Wonky minimal and house from Lucretio & Omar Akhrif and Darren Allen marking label's 20th vinyl release.

Quality techno from this Dutch Techno Don! A stalwart of the Dutch techno scene since the mid nineties, Jeroen Schrijvershof has been ploughing his own furrow aside from the typical norms and standards of the techno scene with lasting integrity and unflinching dedication throughout the years. A coinage derived from the sharp, clinically designed blends he has come to be known for, that Search-sound has long established as a blueprint for DJs seeking laser-guided weaponry into their sets, and Jeroen's maiden effort for RYC follows that very guideline. Starting with the massive pound of the title-track, "Enigma", the EP knocks into your system with blunt force, ushering us into a no-frills corridor of hydraulic kicks and sizzling static. As per usual with Jeroen's compositions, minimalism serves a purpose of exponential effect. True to the fuel-efficient philosophy of the producer, "Modules" harnesses a controlled avalanche of modular signals and no-prisoner, big-room techno dynamics to forge a piece of exquisitely raw rave material that can move blocks of concrete with its nose. Letting the groove a little bit looser, "Object of Ridicule" spins at fierce tempo whilst relying on the same limited palette of chiselled drums and ominous strings to plunge the dance floor into a darker, neo-noir paradox of rhythmic straightforwardness and mystery-shrouded ambiguity. Topping the release off is "Circle Park", a cut that further exposes Jeroen's constant juggling between atmospheric opacity and a surgical, technicist approach towards production. A matter of thoroughly finessed textures and obsession for the faintest detail that shines through "Enigma" with unrelenting ebullience. More than anything the fruit of an endless search for fresh, unheard forms of transcending techno expression. In reflection to the release's outstanding character, we decided to have it pressed to 180g audiophile vinyl so y'all purists can revel in Enigma's heavily detailed sound spectrum.

Texas based Electro giant Cygnus arrives on Science Cult with a timeless cyberfunk 4 track EP. Expertly programmed beats and bass lines mixed with lush synths and vocoders make for an unforgettably smooth sound. Rounding out the EP is an energetic stomper of a remix by The Exaltics. Vinyl includes a download code + digital bonus.

SAISEI founder Junki Inoue continues his vital archival work uncovering the riches of Japan’s distinctive electronic music scene and bringing them to new audiences around the world.
The PMA EP compiles four dynamic tracks recorded around 30 years ago by the duo of Shigeru Nakamura (drums/vocals) and Mikio Kato (synths) aka B-2DEP’T.
Nakamura and Kato’s first album as B-2DEP’T, Products Plus, appeared on cassette in 1993 on Trigger Records, the predecessor label to Transonic (given a retrospective on SAIS004). Its bright yellow and blue retro-futurist artwork – which is echoed in the design for this reissue on SAISEI – matched the sounds held within: inventive, out-of-the-box dance music blending overseas influences with an idiosyncratic Japanese sensibility.
Two tracks from Products Plus appear on this EP, All tracks re-edited by Junki Inoue and regular collaborator Yuzo Iwata for vinyl extended play and available now for the first time on vinyl. ‘Clockwork Giant Panda’ appearing in a version co-produced with Yoshinori Sunahara (ex - Denki Groove), merges a breezy US house groove and bassline with twinkling, almost parodic Japanese keys that act as a kind of meta commentary on Western perceptions of Japan (a concept pioneered by Yellow Magic Orchestra). The two parts of ‘BSMH’, or Body Sonic Mental Health from ‘Products Plus’, were originally remixed by Daishi Hisakawa of Tanzmuzik, who draws on darker sounds from Europe and the UK: restless Depeche Mode synth harmonies spiral above a pacy EBM pulse, with robot vocals intoning the titular slogan. The package is completed by the unreleased track ‘PMA’, whose driving, bass-heavy mood falls somewhere between Sheffield bleep and the ambient techno of early Biosphere.SAISEI is a Japanese word which translates to ‘reproduction’ and ‘to play’ (as in playing records). Japanese culture is widely known for its traditional nature just as much as it is for being forward into the future and this label’s concept does justice to exactly that. Having started digging for records as early as 16 years old, Inoue delved into productions from 1990s Japan to uncover these native gems. SAISEI’s core concept is to recapture and reintroduce unique pieces of Japanese electronic music onto vinyl, to an audience it never reached before as most of this music was only released in Japan.

French producer, DJ and RDV (Recit de Voyage) label owner returns to the label this April with her ‘Thoughts Of Day’ EP, accompanied by remixes from Giegling’s Koreander and Fred P. Since launching the RDV Music imprint in 2017, Molly has welcomed an array of up-and-coming talent and long-time respected figures in the contemporary house and techno scene onto the imprint, such as Dana Ruh, Cosmin TRG, Wbeeza, Aybee, Orion and many more. Here though, Molly steps into the spotlight herself with a new full-length EP for the label, the vinyl version features two originals and two remixes, while a further two originals will surface as bonus cuts on the digital release. First up on the EP is the original mix of ‘ It Feels Like It Only Goes Backwards’, encapsulating Molly’s signature deep aesthetic via hazy atmospherics and swirling dub textures, floating atop a bouncy sub bass groove and swinging, organic drums. Kettenkarussel member Koreander’s ‘Final Relief Remix’ of ‘It Feels Like It Only Goes Backwards’ follows, offering an ambient twist on the original version, taking the hypnotic elements, and reshaping them into a murky, subtly unfurling six and a half minute beatless interpretation. Next up on the flip side, Fred P reworks ‘Sweet Afternoon’, delivering a typically classy deep house cut driven by a choppy bass line, bright string stabs and crisp, bumpy drums. Molly’s ‘Mercure’ then completes the package, embracing a more groove driven feel as plucked bass notes, swelling subs, mesmerising synth flutters, and swinging drums develop in a subtly nuanced fashion throughout.