From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.

1. Xao – Aqua Tofana [C.A.N.V.A.S.]

Berlin-based producer, sound designer, and composer Xao delivers a melancholic-yet-blissful piece of digital shoegazing. “Aqua Tofana” juxtaposes rapid-fire, high-tech drums with murky bass, reverbed vocals, and grainy pads to generate maximum headnodding vibes.

2. Cardioactive – Ego Saved My Life [Mekanika Recordings]

Psychedelic, driving techno with a touch of cheeky breakbeat swing. Cardioactive sets up the premise early in “Ego Saved My Life.” He then spends the remainder of its runtime subtly tweaking its gritty bass line, staccato drum breaks, and spacey effects to keep things interesting.

3. nickname – Simon Said [Extra Spicy]

In this absolutely raucous bootleg of Pharaohe Monch‘s “Simon Said,” nickname chops up the source material’s infamous opening refrain over tight TR-808 beats, classic breaks, and booming sub bass.

4. Arcane – Curse of the Pharaohs [Rua Sound]

Enjoying a strong finish to 2022, Arcane features in Crate Digging for the second month running with “Curse of the Pharaohs.” Although the tough, precise drums, scattered vocal samples, and warbling bass pack a huge punch, the real star is the expansive, Egyptian Empire-inspired horn lead.

5. Gunjack – Ritual48 [Self-Released]

The highly productive Gunjack drops a rolling, percussive techno cut full of his trademark live edits, gnarly sample manipulation, and syrupy low end. “Ritual48” is one of those grooves that could loop infinitely and never get stale.

6. The Astonics – Heart of Soul (Con-Figure Remix) [Omni Music]

“Heart of Soul” is deep, meditative jungle that is purpose built for big sound systems. Con-Figure adds clever edits and effects for additional flavor on his remix, but he retains the original’s dusty, warm aesthetic by bringing the alluring vocals and misty pads to the foreground.

7. $turmtech – wave [play labs]

$turmtech returns to dj playstation‘s play labs imprint with some razor-sharp, techy breakbeat. Warm, dub techno-style chord stabs float above chunky, synthetic drums, with additional sub bass layers coming in after the second drop for added thickness.

8. MoMA Ready – Time And Space [Haus Of Altr]

New Yorker MoMA Ready strikes a balance between classy and wonky on “Time And Space,” blending shuffly deep house percussion and sultry vocal samples with off-kilter analogue chords and bass sequences. Quintessential New York house flavors abound.

9. David Duriez presents Plastic Music – Subterranean aCID [Brique Rouge]

Inspired by the early days of acid house in Chicago, David Duriez (a certified acid legend in his own right) takes it back to basics with “Subterranean aCID.” This is acid house for purists: Jacking drums and two TB-303 sequences weaving around one another as they get tweaked into oblivion.

10. Theiz – 1000 Year Cycle of the Dragonfly [EPM Music]

“1000 Year Cycle of the Dragonfly” shows off Theiz‘ 30 years of experience as a producer. Its sound design references uplifting ’90s house while adding a contemporary edge thanks to precise sequencing and intelligent use of effects.

From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.

1. Arcane and Jon1st – Honey Dew [Defrostatica]

Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and breakbeat aficionado Arcane teams up with world champion turntablist and live act Jon1st for a high-octane, choppy footwork/jungle hybrid. Deadly breaks, big bass growls, and cheeky vocal stabs make “Honey Dew” a must-have for fans of 160bpm music.

2. Ruff Stuff – Growler [Ruff Stuff Music LTD]

Delightful deep house from Ruff Stuff on his homonymous label, which sees the producer flirting with higher tempos while retaining his trademark warmth and funk. “Growler” is propelled by a bouncy acid sequence and chunky drums, with lush, sparkling pads and strings adding a soulful edge to the proceedings.

3. Musta – Where Is Juanito [Fulltime Production]

Taken from his album Tamburi Parlanti, “Where Is Juanito” sees Musta leaning heavily on Afro-funk influences to create a rolling, hypnotic, and percussive house groove. Focused primarily around an ever-evolving live conga rhythm peppered with washes of reverb and subtle bass stabs, it evokes images of folkloric, primal rituals.

4. Jeff Mills – The Storyteller [Axis Records]

Detroit techno mainstay Jeff Mills has nothing left to prove at this point, but that doesn’t stop him from continuously pushing sonic boundaries. “The Storyteller” is a heady techno trip that ratchets up the tension with swirling, eerie pads, delayed sine sequences, and crisp drums.

5. Henzo – Survivorship Bias [Nervous Horizon]

Henzo wraps up a stellar 2022 with a chugging, sludge-drenched bang. “Survivorship Bias” is a crunchy half-time rhythm that takes influences from dancehall, techno, and drum and bass, mixing dusty vocal loops with wobbly bass and a dissociative break.

6. Umbo – Foolin’ Around [Timewarp Music]

“Foolin’ Around” is raw, hard-hitting contemporary funk from Croation duo Umbo. Rugged freestyle drum breaks, an infectious bass line, and a vibrant sax solo take center stage for the track’s peak, while feelgood keys and guitar plucks keep the vibes high during the bridge.

7. Dre – Eastwood [Music For Change]

Andreas. dons his alter ego Dre for some spacious and atmospheric, dub-infused electronica. Recorded on tape to add a little extra warmth, “Eastwood” is perfect for lazy afternoons with headphones on and eyes closed.

8. Simone de Kunovich – Primal Dream [Mule Musiq]

A highlight from the final installment of his Mondo Nuovo series, “Primal Dream” sees Simone de Kunovich crafting a percussive organic house jam out of warped drum grooves, distorted animal calls, and wobbly effects. Kunovich is heavily inspired by a love of exploitation and arthouse films, and it shows: This could easily be from the soundtrack of an experimental film set in a dangerous and unfamiliar rainforest.

9. Ranjit Nijjer – Mission Briefing [Machine Label]

Ranjit Nijjer explores the deeper, more stripped-down end of the techno continuum on “Mission Briefing.” The single blends precise percussive grooves with a subtle, funky bass line, echoed sci-fi vocals, and synthetic bleeps and bloops.

10. Franco Alesso – Blue Nebula [trau-ma]

Fast-paced, funky, and full of attitude, “Blue Nebula” is hardgroove techno at its finest. Franco Alesso combines tough, rolling drums with jazzy chords and sultry female vocal stabs for maximum dance floor effectiveness.