Club Beat #74: REVIEW: Rhythm Distrikt 02

Six months after the release of the first compilation, Rhythm Distrikt returns with twenty exclusives from the world’s leading techno producers. With tracks from artists including Da Fresh, Koen Groeneveld and Ant Brooks, Toolroom’s boundary-pushing album concept shows the great range of quality techno productions available at present.

Rhythm Distrikt 02 highlights the diversity of producers and sounds within the techno scene. The compilation kicks off with one of the leading names in techno right now. Spartaque is renowned for his uncompromising sound and clever use of synths and manic stabs in his productions, as seen in tracks like Ricochet, Bumble Bee and Interception. He brings his unique take on techno to Rhythm Distrikt 02 with Razor, a track that is punctuated by glitches whilst it methodically builds and builds above the heavy four-to-the-floor. It is controlled mayhem: an apt start to the release. Moving on, we find a firm favourite, Marco Lys; a DJ as comfortable producing peak time house (as in his Can’t Get Enough EP) as banging techno. Back 2 The Beat builds on Lys’ distinctive style, transforming more organic sounds into techy samples, like the manipulated and chopped vocals and the few guitar chords in the build up. With an infectious beat on top of all this, you know this track is going to be huge on dance floors. In contrast, Hollen & Raul Mezcolanza take a much darker approach with Toolkit. This is a disconcerting track, with its menacing keyboard chords and what sounds like a mechanised rattlesnake; but is also enticing because of the forward moving momentum created by the bass together with the keyboard. Finally, rising stars Mr Bizz, who have received support from Ahmet Sendil and Stefano Noferini (as mentioned in our interview with him at Global Gathering), have created an interesting tune for the compilation. Hey Guapa is a Latin-infused techno track with reverb-laden percussion, rolling beats and echoing vocals. This compilation really shows that different artists can take very different approaches to the same genre.

Rhythm Distrikt 02 includes some Toolroom debuts and introductions to different artists. There are debuts from Spartaque, Mr Bizz and Tom Hades, as well as Cristian Varela. Winner of several accolades from the International DJ Awards in Ibiza, including DJ Of The Year in 2007 and Best Techno DJ in 2008, Cristian Varela’s finesse shines through. His explicitly titled Cockteaser is the perfect combination of metallic-sounding percussive elements, vocal snippets and a killer underground groove. Next, Christian Fischer has caught our attention after appearing on Rhythm Distrikt 01 and with his track on this latest compilation. Gentle Truth is a minimal masterpiece, with a grooving bass, reverb-filled layers and vocal samples that provide body and fullness to the track; it is expertly arranged. With such exciting tracks, it would be interesting to hear a Rhythm Distrikt mix from one of the newer additions to the Toolroom roster.

Rhythm Distrikt 02 is the definitive collection of underground grooves and throbbing subsonic beats that will satisfy even the most particular of techno aficionados.

‘Rhythm Distrikt 02’ is available now exclusively from beatport.

Ann Bartholomew