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. Biemsix – The Payback (James Ruskin Remix) [Symbolism]

U.K. veteran James Ruskin remixes “The Payback” by Biemsix, keeping the original’s psychedelic, moody atmosphere intact, while adding some energy and funk in his inimitable style. Dance floor-ready machine funk at its finest.

2. Cinthie – Mellifluous [803 Crystal Grooves]

The first release on 803 Crystal Grooves in over two years, “Mellifluous” sees label head Cinthie drop a smooth, feel-good deep house cut that encapsulates her extensive knowledge of the history and key elements of the genre. Lush chords, shuffling drums, and a bumping bassline make this feel like an obscure B-side from a forgotten New York record label.

3. Aserr​í​n – Memories of Green [Pan-Am Tracks]

Aserr​í​n explores electro’s close ties with science (real and fictional) in “Memories of Green,” a heady, leftfield journey through sparkling melodies, glitchy effects, and otherworldly atmospheres to explore the concept of signal propagation and how it mediates the world around us. A great example of how a strong concept can add extra value to a great piece of music.

4. bluhol – Light and Shade [Oomycota]

“Light and Shade” lives up to its name with a psychedelic trip through contrasting elements. The debut release from Sydney/Eora-based label Oomycota sees Loïcc reinvent themselves as bluhol to explore the interplay of organic and synthetic through immersive soundscapes and creative use of modular synthesis.

5. FTP Doctor – Discomfort Dance (Dycide Remix) [IO-Records]

Dycide‘s remix of “Discomfort Dance” by FTP Doctor blends elements of techno, drum and bass, dubstep, and electronica into a melting pot of bass-heavy rhythms. Gnarly, up-tempo percussion and glitchy sound effects urgently bounce along above low-slung, speaker-shaking beats.

6. Llyr – Pareidolia [Mesh]

Immersive, densely-detailed breakbeat which reflects Llyr‘s flair for combining cinematic sound design with dance floor-ready grooves. “Pareidolia” gives a nod to the meaning of its title by subtly changing the melodic patterns and sequences throughout its runtime, adding a lot of re-listening value.

7. HVL – Lancet Mxi [Reclaim Your City]

“Lancet Mxi” combines thunderous breakbeats, gritty sound design, and melancholy melodic sequences to create a forlorn soundscape with a surprising amount of punch. HVL explores the intersection between dance floor functionality and hypnotic introspection to excellent effect on this one.

8. Josh Wink – Progression [Ovum Recordings]

Written on a flight from San Franciso to Philadelphia, “Progression” continues the 30th birthday celebrations of Josh Wink‘s Ovum Recordings. A captivating, ten-minute odyssey, it takes the listener through a heady, soulful blend of bleeps, beats and soaring pads.

9. Debasser – Gem [WIDE Records]

“Gem” is a unique, minimalist take on future garage, combining Debasser‘s signature bass-driven sound with quirky glitches, fluttering melodies, and shuffling drums.

10. IDA – Currents [Sävy Records]

Sitting comfortably in the space between techno, electro, and breaks, “Currents” is a rolling, gritty cut with touches of dusty, swirling melody. Ida draws on her eclectic taste to present a club-focused track with heart and intelligence.

11. Dubfire & Flug – Magma [CLR]

Dubfire releasing on CLR was most definitely not on my 2024 bingo card, but this collaboration with Flug is an incredibly welcome surprise. “Magma” is a dark and driving interpretation of the classic dub techno sound that plays to each of its creators’ strengths.

12. Ross Harper – Knocked Back Hard [City Wall Records]

“Knocked Back Hard” is a psychedelic, mechanistic take on downtempo electronica, inspired by Ross Harper‘s tantric stories about a character known only as Ambient Girl. Although it’s comprised entirely of synthetic sounds, it uses them in a way that feels organic and natural.

13. Shlomi Aber & Kashpitzky – Rust [Blueprint]

Reminiscent of some of James Ruskin‘s best work, it’s no surprise that “Rust” was released on his label Blueprint. It sees Shlomi Aber and Kashpitzky deftly weave melancholy pads between tough, driving percussion and round, punchy bass.

14. Sun People – No Fear No Hope [Defrostatica]

Austrian producer Sun People continues to explore cross-genre pollination, this time finding a soulful and playful nook in between footwork, jungle and techno. “No Fear No Hope” is the uncategorizable kind of 160bpm track that showcases how fruitful the tempo is for experimentation.

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

Los Angeles DJ and producer Truncate has celebrated the 10th anniversary of his eponymous record imprint with the release of a techno EP titled First Phase. With the help of techno royalty James Ruskin and Luke Slater (A.K.A. Planetary Assault Systems), the effort delivers two original Truncate works alongside an array of remixes.

First Phase‘s namesake track sees Truncate experiment with a hypnotic, shuffling sound as the tune progresses through a percussion-driven rhythm laced with a morphing, siren-like synth and jarring toms at the base of the groove. Planetary Assault Systems serves up three unique remixes of the original, taking the percussion even further on his first rendition with intricate drum work and precision shakers.

The first of two “PAS Jams” dials back that drum work to give way to arpeggiated synths in a higher register, as a rolling, reverberated accent synth gives an eerie ambiance to this space-age rework. The second takes the concept even deeper, retaining focus on the arpeggios in a more subdued fashion that emphasizes the low end of the frequency spectrum. The groovy rhythm remains throughout each of Planetary Assault System’s offerings, but every one of his remixes is characterized by a sound all its own.

“The Eve” takes an acid approach, with Truncate’s original still focused on the drum work courtesy of rolling toms and syncopated 909 claps. The hypnotic melodies instill an anxious atmosphere, suiting the track well for peak-time selection. James Ruskin serves a more powerful kick drum to underscore the groove, taking “The Eve” to new heights with a jarring and boisterous remix that puts the stereo field to the test.

Truncate’s First Phase is a testament to the strength of his own imprint, and a pure reflection of the reason he’s become a respected techno act over the years.

First Phase is available for purchase in digital and limited splash color 12-inch vinyl record format via Truncate Bandcamp.

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

Techno stalwarts James Ruskin and Mark Broom have followed up last November’s Basement Jams with a sequel. The former artist’s Blueprint Records is the proud home of Ruskin & Broom‘s Basement Jams 2. The five-song EP released June 9th in digital format.

The bouncy verve encapsulated in Ruskin & Broom’s preceding effort is alive and well in Basement Jams 2. Tracks like “Latch,” “Zone” and “Arc” fuse rubbery acid techno leads with rapid-fire rolling kick drums. The bleeps and bloops of “Twister” set it apart as arguably the most abstract song of the bunch, and “Drive” brings a measure of groove to an otherwise robotic EP.

James Ruskin and Mark Broom need no introduction among longtime techno enthusiasts. The former artist’s DJ career extends back three decades, and his recording career inaugurated with a 1995’s Shock Treatment / Snuff under his Void project. The same year marked the latter’s debut release under the Repeat project: the album Repeats via long-defunct U.K. label A13.

After a brief hiatus, Ruskin and Void collaborator Richard Polson relaunched Blueprint Records in 2009. In addition to Ruskin & Broom releases like 2010’s No Time Soon EP, it has provided a platform for music by the likes of Surgeon, Truncate and Rommek in the years since.

Purchase Basement Jams 2 in digital format via Blueprint Records Bandcamp.

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

April 27th saw L.A. producer Truncate and London’s James Ruskin release an anticipated collaboration. The two artists have delivered three minimal techno cuts for Sketch, which arrived by way of the latter’s Blueprint Records.

The tracklist of Sketch is numerically ordered, with each entry a namesake of the EP’s title. “Sketch 1” goes light on melodic elements, whereas “Sketch 2” hinges around dissonant chords and frantic harmonies. “Sketch 3” closes out the effort somewhere in between, showing off both artists’ ability to do more with less as far as production is concerned.

On Truncate and James Ruskin

Born in Croydon, James Ruskin is among the earliest U.K. artists associated with techno. He began DJing in 1991 and released his debut EP in 1995: Shock Treatment / Snuff, a collaboration with Richard Polson under the moniker Void. The two launched Blueprint Records the following year.

Truncate (real name David Flores) has been involved with the L.A. techno scene nearly as long, originally releasing as Audio Injection on such labels as Monoid, Stimulus and Droid Recordings. He launched his current alias in 2011, garnering support from the likes of DVS1, Ben Sims, Luke Slater, and numerous others in the years that followed.

Sketch is available for purchase in digital format via Blueprint Records Bandcamp.

The techno EP, out May 28th, comprises singles by Robert Hood, Ben Sims, James Ruskin and Mark Broom. June 25th marks the release of the electro EP, for which Carl Finlow, Detroit’s Filthiest, Freddy Fresh as Modulator, as well as The Advent and Zein Ferrara have offered up music. Closing out the series on July 30th is the house EP, whose tracklist includes songs by Eddie Fowlkes, Jon Dixon, DJ 3000, and Rico & Sonny.

Following the conclusion of EPM20, a compilation of the same name will arrive at an as yet unannounced time.

20 Years of EPM Music

EPM Music, the brainchild of Oliver Way and Jonas Stone, originally served as a booking agency and PR company. Over the years it expanded to include distribution, rights management, and record label services. Dekmantel, M-Plant, Avian and Hot Elephant Music are but a few of the labels they represent.

The 20-year anniversary EP series will be dedicated to the memory of Detroit techno DJ and producer Tim Baker, who passed away in early April. “EPM20 is dedicated to the memory of one of the most beautiful souls in the scene, Tim Baker who has been taken from us far too soon,” reads a press release. “Your music shines on.”

EPM20 will be available for purchase in vinyl format, with specially designed sleeves for the series. Find the tracklist for each installment below.

EPM21V / EPM90:

1. Robert Hood – Shadows
2. Ben Sims – Xotnuc
3. James Ruskin – There Was A Time
4. Mark Broom – The Three Swords

EPM22V / EPM91:

1. The Advent & Zein Ferreira – Strangeform
2. Carl Finlow – Optogenetic
3. Detroit’s Filthiest – Werewolf
4. Modulator aka Freddy Fresh – ProMars

EPM23V / EPM92:

1. Eddie Fowlkes – 1-2-3
2. Jon Dixon – Mack & Bewick
3. DJ 3000 – Summer 1995
4. Rico & Sonny – The Beat