Various Artists: Human Shield vs. Multiplex (Human Shield) - 12"
Multiplex: Momensch (Human Shield) - 12"

Exemplary morsel of electro / italo-disco; all variants on urgent, pulse-driven machine music that meet my approval. But if anything edges ahead with real bite, it's Legowelt's remix of 'Space'. Served with passion, oozing with venom.

The second 12" from Multiplex is a more complex affair; melodic trickery and deft use of edits propel these pieces above the usual electronic fare. As the EP progesses, things slowly get darker and weirder; arriving at a conclusion on the bleep-fest that is 'Keep X'. More like this please.

Hrdvsion: Oh techo saves (Itiswhatitis) - 12"

Bizarre collaged techno from Mathew Jonson's lickle bruvver. The first two tracks are badly broken pieces of sequencer pain that don't really work, but it's on the flip where the valuable content can be found. 'Me and my brain' employing those smart stop/start edits that the likes of AFX trademarked on Analord, but here he's made all his own.

Bong-Ra: Peel Session (Death$ucker) - 12"

I guess this sounded better on the Peel show, sandwiched inbetween the raucous orchestral collapse of the Shibusashirazu Orchestra and Nina Nastasia's intimate thoughts. Full of gusto and energy, after a while it does sound like someone having a tantrum that no one's paying attention to. In fact, nothing by Bong-Ra is really worthy of consumption, although he redeems himself with his forthcoming Venetian Snares remixes.

Panasonic: Panasonic EP (Sahko) - 12"

Part of a clutch of welcome re-issues from Finland's Sahko label. This was Panasonic's (as they were then known) first foray into electrically charged noise. Whilst recent releases have erred towards the more experimental scale, these first two attempts go for the jugular: brutal, raw, unscientific techno is the most apt description. Bonus points earned for the visual thrill of having the familiar Panasonic logo spin on the turntable.

Four Tet / Hella: Split (Ache) - 7"
Matmos / Die Monitr Batss (Ache) - 7"

I've listened to these frankly ace records so many times, I was convinced I bought them. But no, months after they got sent, I find accsompanying press releases and realise that I've been a lazy cunt for not writing words about them.

Dominik Eulberg: Untitled (Trapez Limited 22) - 12"
Markese: Panorama (Trapez Limited 24) - 12"
Francesco Tarallo: Sogno EP (Trapez Limited 25) - 12"

Whilst these releases aren't exactly new (the oldest one here was released in July 2004), the Trapez Limited label has been consistent in musical equity. The constant benchmark: finely tuned balance of electronic sounds moulded into pop-friendly 4/4 moments.

Mr. Eulberg perfectly demonstrates why he's one of my favoured artists on this imprint. Two untitled tracks; the first rides a pop hook through dodgy side streets, the second employs smart bass throbs over frivolous melodies. Both are ace.

Markese (aka Zurich resident Markus Ullrich) furrows his brow and zones in on re-programming code templates from Detroit. Propulsion and delay on 'A Bit Off', distant jazz / out-of-focus FX on 'Rubbergum'. Taking the Motor City clatter and rewiring it to European vistas, this is music doused in street-light ambience.

Francesco Tarallo crafts playful, sun-drenched house with emphasis on space and mood. 'Profondita' is actually quite beautiful; chimed kicks eventually make way for an emotion-loaded riff as the pay off whilst 'Cutrin' fuses variational pulses with a soft-shoe house shuffle.