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#1 Maurizio - M 4: Alright then, let’s kick off the new year straight away with a classic. Maurizio, or more precisely Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald, didn’t just create incredibly good dub techno with Basic Channel. Maurizio is pretty much the most famous alias of the two. I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t know “Lyot” in the Maurizio mix, simply a defining moment in techno history. Mark Ernestus, who not only owns Hard Wax but also has his fingers in Open Ground in Wuppertal, has become a well-known name in North Rhine–Westphalia at the latest over the past one and a half to two years. But Moritz von Oswald is also a truly major figure in dub techno. Berlin and Hamburg come together, and this is what happened. A beautiful re-release from the two of them, highly recommended.

#2 Benales - TAR LP 3: Once again, I’ve ended up with Tar Hallow. This time, not a double LP by Decka, but by Benales. I’m not entirely sure whether I’ve already written about this album before. Oh well. There isn’t much I can add about the label run by Thanos, who works at Triple Vision in Rotterdam and usually keeps a fairly low profile. I have no idea who Benales is, and I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but Tar Hallow is very clearly number one in the techno game right now when it comes to uncompromising and timeless techno. And with Benales, Thanos has definitely discovered a real production gem. Big up to this fantastic label.

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#3 Tino Machauer - Fusion EP: Let’s move on to an up-and-coming artist, I believe originally from somewhere around Stuttgart. Tino and I once played together in Düsseldorf, it was a Shockwerk party, where he’s also deeply involved with the collective. Right now, he’s coming out with some really deep material that I genuinely like a lot, which doesn’t happen all that often for me. Hertz instantly gives me a Function vibe. You know that record with the eye in the middle, the black cover? I think it came out on Ostgut. It’s great to see acid showing up more frequently in tracks again. Keep it up, Tino, massive output!

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#1 Savinto - TST 2: Today I’m mostly showing you a haul that I’m still waiting to receive, except for number five. Let’s start with Savinto on TST. I discovered both in 2025 and instantly fell in love. This Detroit sound, but in a 2000s style, is paired with subtle tribal elements. Every track on the record pushes hard. I’m already incredibly excited to play this record in the club. B2 is my clear favorite. A must-have.

#2 User Vs. UTL - For Neuton: Well, what can I say, even the confusion is confused. User, also known as Dean Cole, also known as Richard Harvey, plus about 50,000 rumors about who User actually was. I’ve even read Function and Regis being mentioned. Versus Utility Plastics, aka Richard Turner. So is it really two Richards or not? I’ve completely lost track. What I do know for sure, though, is that this record has four absolutely insane tracks on it. Less Detroit sound here, more uncompromising tribal techno at its best. User number one, no doubt about it.

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#3 Mhonolink - September: Once again, the question is: what can I tell you? Mhonolink is simply a guarantee for good music. Of course, Swedish techno, what else? The “Countdown 2000” series is very interesting. There was one release every month from January 1999 to December 1999 to usher in the new millennium. Unfortunately, the Mhonolink record is the most expensive one in the series, but in my opinion, it’s also the best. It just drives forward relentlessly, once again four tracks, all of them brilliant and totally playable. If you don’t buy it, it’s your own fault.

#4 Various Artists - Aktive Matrix V.2.5.: Oh, I’m actually really curious about this release, because not every track has a YouTube link on Discogs. So there might still be some surprises waiting for me. Why did this various artists record convince me? Easy: Umek and Valentino Kanzyani. What a pair of legends. Reloop 1 is clearly my favorite at the moment, although that might still change once I’ve listened to the entire record. We’ll see. Until then, a cheap record with an insane track on A2 and a definite recommendation to buy.

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#5 UK Gold - Soulless EP: And finally, how could a newsletter work without Primate or its sublabel Primevil? Of course, it could; there are plenty of great labels out there, but this one is definitely among the strongest labels of its era. Once again, we’re talking about an early 2000s release, once again with tribal elements that underpin and carry the track. I already own Agent Wood on a Remix 2x12”, but this time my buying decision was clearly focused on “Confined”. All-around killer label, all-around killer release, all-around killer tracks.

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#1 Marco Carola - Question 10

#2 Pounding Grooves - Pounding E.P

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#3 Gaetek - Last Three Mounts

#4 Hardcell & Grindvik - Gainlane Part 5

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#1 Plug Trax - Grind EP: Starting a label with style: Borde Dub kicks off with its very first release, and Plug Trax sets the tone perfectly. Two deep, driving originals meet classy remixes by Volpe and DBFB - dubby, Detroit-leaning techno with just the right amount of attitude. I’ve been connected with Plug Trax for a long time, which makes this release even more special. Only 100 copies out there - blink and it’s gone.

#2 Juri Heidemann - Echo Mute: Juri Heidemann taps deep into Detroit traditions, delivering warm grooves, rich atmospheres, and beautifully detailed textures. This is the kind of techno that reveals more the longer you listen. It works equally well on the dancefloor or late-night headphone sessions, drawing you in every time. Out on DollyTS, the label run by Berghain resident Steffi, is a perfect home for this sound.

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#3 Mattia Dambrosio - Domani EP: With Domani, Mattia Dambrosio delivers a deep and emotional dub-techno record that takes its time to unfold. Hailing from Milan, his sound feels thoughtful and mature. I’ve been in touch with him for a while now, and releases like this are exactly why I keep an eye on his work. His Domani EP is pure mood. Every listen draws you a little deeper into its warm, dubby textures - perfect for losing track of time.

#4 Morten B - Handlung 004: One of those under-the-radar finds: Morten B is a relatively unknown artist, but his self-released output on his own label is seriously impressive. Fast, raw and unapologetically old-school dub techno, clearly tipping its hat to the OGs - yes, Basic Channel territory. No frills, no hype, just deep chords, tight rhythms, and that timeless Berlin sound doing the heavy lifting. This is the kind of record that grabs you from the first beat and doesn’t let go until the last echo fades.

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#5 Fadi Mohem - Four Lovers: Closing out my Top 5: Fadi Mohem’s Four Lovers is pure Detroit-meets-Chicago energy. Two tracks only, but each one packs a punch - faster than house, more techno than house, and dripping with that classic groove. It’s a small package, but both tracks hit hard enough to make you wish there were more. Perfect for anyone who loves groove-driven, high-energy techno that keeps the dancefloor moving from start to finish.

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