RW008

Recycling Wax is influencing you!

Robin Tasi
August 07, 2025

Hey there,

It might seem a bit odd to choose a title like this. But the word “influencing” here isn’t meant the way it’s often used today: meaning influencers, social media personalities trying to sell you something. What we’re talking about is something deeper: inspiration, expanding perspectives, discovering things beyond your current horizon that may have been hidden at first glance.

That’s exactly why, for this week’s newsletter edition, we’ve invited Steve Redhead. Not only is he a living legend of the techno scene in Belgium and far beyond, but he’s also someone who has inspired thousands, if not more, to take his vision and turn it into fuel for their own ideas.

He’s shared with us his Top 5 picks. Records that have deeply enriched and inspired him, that have, in a real sense, influenced him.

But first, let’s start with our usual structure:

Recent Cuts - Fresh vinyl and digital releases worth checking out.
Essential Oldschool - Records from the 90s and early 2000s that still matter today.
On the Horizon - Upcoming releases to keep an eye on.
The Perfect Match - Two tracks that blend seamlessly in a set.
Top 5 by Steve Redhead - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week by DJ’s.
Community Pick of the Week by Noah - One favorite from the community.

1. Recent Cuts - Fresh vinyl and digital releases worth checking out.

#1 L.F.T. - KeyGenerator EP: Finally, Johannes Haas aka L.F.T. (short for Love, Fist, Tears) is back on Mechatronica! Honestly, L.F.T. is one of those producers who blows me away with every single release. Analog, uncompromising, gritty, and absolutely dark! But it’s just a vibe. I honestly can’t even decide which track is the best. I’m not sure if “Love, Fist, Tears” is a homage to GTA Vice City and Love Fist, the band you have to save from a stalker’s exploding car. Anyone remember that? 😀 Big tip!

#2 Sub Basics - Time Codes EP: TH Tar Hallow is a guarantee for timeless techno. I wouldn’t even need to check who’s releasing there. I could buy every record blind. Same goes for Sub Basics. I don’t know the artist here, unfortunately, but that’s something I need to change. I’d mostly play these tracks during warmup sets. And “Anomaly” is my favorite. That drum’n’bass loop fits perfectly with the synth. MUST HAVE!

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#3 Italomario - Mechanical Chronicles: Wow, apparently people are still producing New Beat Techno. A nearly forgotten genre from Belgium that started in 1987. A mix of EBM, Hi-NRG, and Acid House. And Italomario nailed that exact mood born almost 40 years ago. I don’t even want to say more. This genre is just pure pleasure. And perfect to influence you!

#4 Various Artists - HYS006: Hayes is releasing their sixth Various Artists vinyl, and this one’s a future classic. Contemporary techno with the potential to become timeless. That said: Invexis and bad sound? That’s about as surreal as carbonara that actually tastes good with cream. That just doesn’t happen. Insane productions and rightly so, many of his old releases are ridiculously expensive on Discogs. Casual Treatment also with a huge banger on the VA. But all in all: no filler, only killer. BIG TIP!

DECKS
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2. Essential Oldschool - Records from the 90s and early 2000s that still matter today.

#1 Umek - 732: Hold on a second: has there ever been a newsletter without Umek? Oh man, haha. But honestly, the Slovenian legend just leaves me no choice. This time, I’m bringing you a two-track EP. Produced in 1998, the E.P. “732” was released on a sublabel of the iconic Planet Rhythm, called Colours. I first heard the A-Side in a DJ Rush set from 1999, without ever catching the track ID in the comments. But recently, I stumbled upon the record on Instagram and bought it immediately. Man, why don’t gems like this ever get re-released? The A-side should honestly be played in every club in the world. It’s insane. I played it last weekend at Fi in Cologne and let me tell you: it slaps. Goosebumps-level stuff. But: the B-side is in no way inferior to the A-side! An absolute MUST MUST MUST HAVE!!

#2 Vapour Space - Gravitational Arch Of 10: Speaking of goosebumps: is there a more epic way to kick off a four-to-the-floor track during a warm-up set after a 30-minute ambient journey than with Vapour Space – Gravitational Arch Of 10? It takes around 4 minutes for the first kick to hit, but trust me, it’s worth every second. Some things are just hard to explain, like magic. And this track is the David Copperfield of techno. I still don’t own the vinyl. It's always been a bit too expensive on Discogs, especially since I already have the digital version. But I know I’ll regret not having the physical copy someday.

DISCOGS

#3 Damon Wild - Subtractive Synthesis Vol. 1: Damon Wild, who started his musical career in NYC and later moved to Poland, was my gateway into '90s acid techno. And Data Sync is one of those tracks that hits me straight in the feels. Released in 1994, and yet, even 31 years later, it still wrecks dancefloors in the best possible way. Damon, thank you for still making music. Even though family, your son, and life have shifted your priorities, you've stayed true to your sound and your art. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

#4 Gecko - Just Close Your Eyes (2002 Rework): Now picture this: You’re in a club. The lights are low, smoke fills the room, occasional strobe flashes, and then the track drops. “Just close your eyes. Forget your name. Forget the world. Forget the people.” It echoes through the fog, and you can’t really see the person next to you. That’s exactly what happened to me. It was such a beautiful feeling, warm, isolating in the best way, standing there in the fog while a Funktion-One system pumped this exact tune. I wish I remembered which DJ it was. It must’ve been about 10 years ago. Never forget. And I’ll def never sell this record.

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#5 The Mind Drum - Advanced Banter: Gerald Stringer and Nick Detnon released under both alias The Mind Drum and Barcode Population on Subvert Records. A label that only ever put out three records. I bought all three, and each one absolutely destroys me in the best way. Uncompromising, dark, analog, slightly distorted, just pure fire. Advanced Banter was actually the first one I picked up from the label, and now I can’t imagine living without it.

DISCOGS

3. On the Horizon - Upcoming releases to keep an eye on.

#1 Gina Demarchi - Scorpio III: Gina Demarchi kicks off our Upcoming Releases section today. One funky and tribal track follows the next, a thoroughly super release. On the B-side, we’re treated to remixes by Isaiah, Dokker, and William Artist, complementing the tracks on the A-side. “My Scorp” is definitely my favorite, and I want to dance, even though it’s 1:47 a.m. on a Monday. Still, I’m really looking forward to this release. The record drops in just a few days – August 15, 2025, to be exact!

#2 Ray Kajioka - Nord Hammer: It’s becoming pretty clear that I often mention re-releases, reissues, remastered tracks, or other classics from the ’90s and 2000s in this newsletter. And here comes another one: an upcoming EP from Ray Kajioka that, according to Deejay.de, was originally produced 20 years ago. It’s a beautiful dubby vibe, warm chords, rolling basslines, crisp drums. A truly timeless beast. MUST HAVE! Also releasing on August 15, 2025!

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#3 Nitzer Ebb - BODY OF WORK: Phew, do I even need to say much? Nitzer Ebb is a milestone in EBM history. Brilliant band. But I just found out that Douglas McCarthy recently passed away. Oh no, how sad. All the more reason to support and celebrate this legendary band and their phenomenal music. Four records for €32.95 is also an absolute steal! MUST HAVE! Release date is a bit further out though January 9, 2026.
P.S.: R.I.P. Douglas. </3

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4. The Perfect Match - Two tracks that blend seamlessly in a set.

Ah, are we back to Umek again? Haha! Mumps - Mechanism E is a track I’ve been pulling out time and time again, even since before the pandemic. It’s super easy to mix, hits hard in the club, has a funky edge, and gets people dancing.

But if you really want to make the dancefloor explode, pair it with “1989” by Ignition Technician, an edit using the original vocals from Twin Hype - For Those Who Like To Groove. Once again, it becomes clear: the tracks that make people lose their minds are usually built with just around 8 layers. That’s all a great track really needs!

Mumps - Mechanism E [PAIN 021]

Ignition Technician - 1989 [WDF-LP1]

DISCOGS

5. Top 5 by Steve Redhead - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week.

I was just browsing Resident Advisor and came across some stats about today’s guest: first event on RA back in 1999. Originally from Belgium, he mostly played in Antwerp, especially at Petrol, an iconic former club in the city. He released music on the crème de la crème of (tribal) techno labels of the time: Primate Recordings, Pornographic Recordings, Kombination Research, and many more. Honestly, it’s wild to think about where Steve Redhead hasn’t released or played.

To me, he’s nothing short of a legend. Why? His sound is unmistakable, globally known and truly one of a kind. I’ve played tracks like “Hyck 55” on repeat more times than I can count. So it makes me even happier that he’s still putting out releases to this day, and not just on any labels, but on big ones like Mutual Rytm.

Funny enough, we once shared the lineup at a party at Oma Doris, Dortmund, but never actually had a chat together. Damn, I really wanted to get one of his records signed. Maybe next time!

Enough fan talk. I asked Steve for his personal Top 5, and he immediately sent over an uncharted list. He told me these tracks have shaped him, inspired him, and accompanied him in clubs all around the world. No surprise that today’s theme is centered around him. In our brief chat, he put it simply: “Influenced me.”

Great to have you with us, Steve!

#1 The Advent - Bad Boy (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)

#2 Tobias Von Hofsten - Swinger

DISCOGS

#3 Leandro Gamez - Radiation

#4 Subcyde - Nightrhythm

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#5 Spira - Nervejack

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6. Community Pick of the Week by Noah - One favorite from the community.

Nils Danielsson - Fabrics: “Another Swedish EP I found years ago at the former Nosignal shop in Berlin and one I haven’t stopped playing since is my submission for the Community Pick:

“Hardcell only released four EPs under his real name, and this is one of them, packed with absolute bangers. The A-side features a summery track I love to use as a closing tune, while the B-side delivers two tribal cuts that couldn't have been produced any better.

In my opinion, this record is often overlooked or rarely played, but I absolutely love it and believe it definitely deserves more attention.”

Text written by Noah. He sent it to me via email a few days ago, and I’m happy to share it here unchanged.

Big thanks to you Noah for submitting this record for our Community Pick of the Week!

DISCOGS

And just like that, we've reached the end of the eighth edition.
Did I manage to inspire you, broaden your horizons, or offer a different perspective?

But hey, this is all about give and take. So keep sending me your favorite track or record. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one curating the next pick in the Community section.

Simply reply to this email or comment here with a link to your favorite E.P.

Catch you next week! Be ready to drop the needle on my next picks.

Keep it spinning,
Robin Tasi @ Recycling Wax

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