RW042

Recycling Wax is giving all the answer.

Robin Tasi
April 30, 2026

Hey there,

As we all know, 42 is the answer to everything. So today’s newsletter can only serve as a guide to all your questions. Let’s dive in:

But first, let’s begin as usual, as follows:

Recent Cuts - Fresh vinyl and digital releases worth checking out.
Essential Oldschool - Records from the 90s and early 2000s that still matter today.
Top 5 Pounding Grooves Records - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week by DJs.
Community Pick of the Week by Joao - One favorite from the community.

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

#1 Regent vs Chontane - VERSUS 001: After the X series, SDHW’s label Mutual Rytm is now launching yet another series called Versus. Two producers who, at least how I interpret the concept, are not competing against each other in some kind of battle where one comes out on top. Instead, the idea is to move away from the classic EP format and create a symbiosis between two artists who end up shaping a full record together. The A-side is producer one, the B-side is producer two. In this case, it’s Regent and Chontane, both of whom have already released frequently on Mutual Rytm. The description mentions that both are based in Berlin and have known each other for years, which makes it even more fitting that they’re featured on the first Versus release. Then again, with this label, nothing is left to chance. I think the record is very successful and really reflects both producers well. Top release!

#2 Parallel 9 - Dominus: Now we’re talking about a record that remains timeless and outstanding no matter the season or the decade. Amsterdam is alive, not just because of Rosati, Comrade Winston, or Isaiah, but also thanks to its history, including Steve Rachmad, who, in my opinion, is one of the best producers in the world. Dominus was originally released back in 2005 on Music Man Records, saw a reissue in the mid-2010s, and is now again. This record is simply an absolute must-have.

BANDCAMP
BEATPORT
DEEJAY

BANDCAMP
BEATPORT
DECKS

#3 Ian Pooley - Higgledy Piggledy!: Oh yes, this is exactly what you want for the upcoming summer. The sun has been shining nonstop here in Dortmund, and a mix of house, disco, and deep house just hits the spot. Ian Pooley really is one of Germany’s house and techno prodigies, a fresh and lively 52-year-old, and already dropped a classic back in 1997 on Force Inc. Music Works and his own label. No filler, all killer!

#4 Donato Dozzy - Hypno Trance: Let’s be honest here and not beat around the bush. The Italian producer with the very stylish glasses is simply one of the best figures in electronic music, definitely of the 2010s, and in my opinion, also a strong contender for the 2020s. Looking back further, I’d say the same, especially when I listen to Dimensions E.P., though I was in my early twenties during the 2010s, so I can speak with more certainty about that era. With Hypno Trance, he reveals yet another side of his sound. The EP title already says a lot, and while I might not agree with every detail 100%, it still hits the mark more often than not. But honestly, who am I to judge a genius like this? Clear recommendation, one of the best producers since 2004!

BANDCAMP
DECKS
DEEJAY

BANDCAMP
DECKS
HHV

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

#1 Human League - All I Ever Wanted: Speaking of trance, in today’s Essential Oldschool series, I’m sharing five of my white labels, starting with a really great find from 2001. The label on my copy just has some scribbles in pencil, and back then, I had no idea why this record was even sitting on my shelf. When I was younger, I kind of collected white labels, sometimes buying them completely unfiltered. Somehow, I always got lucky. And with this one, I got really lucky. More specifically, I’m talking about the A-side, the Oliver Lieb Alternative Mix. A female voice, a robotic voice, and a whole lot of emotion. Just like trance used to be: cheesy, slightly embarrassing, but still full of feeling, melodic, and not cringe. Just a beautiful record that takes a bit of pressure off the dancefloor.

#2 DJ Misjah - Embryo Part Two: If there’s one record that made it into my top 10 in the “No Filler Only Killer” category, it’s this one. I found it back in the day at Record Loft in Berlin. I was helping out at a pop-up store and was asked to dig through a massive storage container full of records the owner had rented, selecting some for the shop. As a thank you, I got to take a stack of white labels with me. This record was in there. The sleeve is completely worn out by now, but I still have the original. Every track on this is amazing, proper techno with a bit of tribal influence, and one of the best releases on Mankind by Johan Bacto.

DISCOGS

#3 Pedro Delgardo - 818 Electro Remixes: From the same stack as mentioned above. Especially the remixes by Ignition Technician and Section One really got me. A very solid release on Ying Yang that I just genuinely enjoy a lot.

#4 Oliver Ho - Light And Dark Part Eight: For me, Light & Dark is one of the best labels when it comes to perfectly balancing experimental sounds and techno. The tracks start off hitting hard, but the more straightforward ones often drift into ambient or experimental territory, sometimes becoming completely abstract, and usually making for the perfect end to a set. I’ve closed sets with this label many times. But part eight really stands out to me, especially A2. The shifting synths, totally unconventional, a brilliant voice, very minimal. It just slams in the club.

DISCOGS

#5 Mike Wade - Regaining Control: From start to finish, just incredibly funky. A Spacehall find. Normally, I listen to records for just a few seconds, but with this one I stood at the turntable for a long time, listening to the tracks over and over again. Consistently interesting, consistently great. Also, one of my top 10 in the “No Filler Only Killer” category.

DISCOGS

3. Top 5 Pounding Grooves Records - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week.

I still vividly remember the time before COVID, when EBM and industrial techno were the thing. Everything felt kind of aggressive and hopeless. Techno parties weren’t really working, prices were rising, and people’s nightlife habits were shifting. Artists like Depeche Mode, Front 242, but also Al Ferox, The Hacker, Miss Kittin, Millimetric, David Carretta, The Horrorist, and Thomas P. Heckmann were in demand.

At the same time, a younger generation was leading the charge into a new era, with names like Inhalt Der Nacht, Peryl, Die Selektion, Parallx, and Kobosil with R-Label Group. And on top of that, we suddenly felt like playing tribal again.

To be honest, in Berlin, it was already becoming a bit hip, mainly because records from labels like Primate Recordings, Pound Grooves, and others were ridiculously cheap. No one wanted those records 8 or 9 years ago, so we were picking them up for 2–3 euros each. I vaguely remember hanging out at some guy’s place and blindly buying stacks of Primate and Primevil records that were just sitting in his basement in Düsseldorf. Three euros a piece, thanks to eBay Kleinanzeigen back then!

The same went for Pounding Grooves records on their own label; they were going for no more than 3 euros. And now? As sought after as ever.

And that’s exactly why I thought I’d share my top 5 Pounding Grooves releases on Pounding Grooves. Lawrence Dunster was the man behind the project, and he clearly had a vision. One that still resonates with a lot of people today. Thanks for that!

#1 Pounding Grooves 26

#2 Pounding Grooves 28

DISCOGS

#3 Pounding Grooves 06

#4 Pounding Grooves 13

DISCOGS

#5 Pounding Grooves 35

DISCOGS

4. Community Pick of the Week by Joao - One favorite from the community.

Timeblind - Verticle Disintegration: Today I’m once again sharing an email I received last week. This time, Joao reached out to me, which I thought was really cool. Along with it, he sent over an absolutely amazing record that I don’t want to keep from you. Here’s what he originally wrote in his email:

“Hey, Rob! Just wanted to thank you for the newsletter this week, think it’s very cool for you to bring in other people who are really into the culture to share their take on the scene and music overall. Personally, I always feel like I learn something. Also, thanks for the records overall, great picks.

A bit unrelated, but while digging this past weekend I came across this 90s artist called ‘Timeblind,’ who I think is quite slept on nowadays. The records I found from him absolutely blew my mind, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of him before.

Hope you like the tip, and who knows, maybe it’ll show up in a future newsletter, haha. Much love from the Iberian Peninsula, keep it up.”

Amazing record! Thanks so much for your message and your kind words, Joao. It really means a lot to hear that feedback. Sending lots of love from Dortmund, and many thanks for the great tip!

DISCOGS

And just like that, we’ve reached the end. By the time this newsletter lands in your inbox, it will be May 1st, a public holiday in Germany known as Labor Day. I’m guessing no one in Berlin will actually be reading this today, since everyone will be out on the streets throwing stones hahaha! Just kidding, of course.

Enjoy your holiday, and to those who still have to work today, we’re thinking of you. See you next week, and feel free to keep those emails coming! 😊

And don’t forget: 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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