FFWD & Peter Schumann: Permanent Initio Remix EP Part 1 (Catenaccio Records) - 12"

Three superior remixes of original's I've yet to hear. Despite being generally rubbish, Justin McNulty turns in two half-decent mixes. One in his more recognisable 'Jay Haze' alias and a ever-so-slightly less impressive effort as 'The Architect'. The brilliantly named Falko Brocksieper is the clear winna though with a confident take that just crashes the party, necks all the alcohol and swaggers off with your other half.

Terrae And Defrag Sound Processing: Mutter EP (Defrag Sound Processing) - 12"

No getting away with the subtle but evident disco influence on this record. The overwhelming optimism that seeps from every track on this really rather fine 12" I'll put down to their Italian origins. I liked the emotive chord changes on the opening 'Sechs Acht'. Just about everything else on this most anonymous of house labels is also equally excellent.

Louderbach: Autumn (M_nus) - CD

'Neo-Romantic', anyone? Gibby Miller's monotone delivery evoking shades of deadpan electro. Which is, bizarrely enough, popular with the kids these days. It can be offputting on first listens, but stick with it and its unique charm will eventually reveal itself.

The way 'Seems like a static' turns sinister 3/4 of the way through when the chords start to rasp and the vocals are stripped of their reverb. I like that. They should do that more often. Troy Pierce's knack for punchy 4/4 and crisp percussion is evident on 'Notes'. Generally I like the beats, but have no idea what the vocals are about. But that's more a fault of me than them.

The mood maybe a tad too dour for this time of year; as I write this, the first complete day of sun has just ended in London. Maybe it'll make more sense come mid-October. But I liked it.