The seventh volume of Drumcode’s annual A-Sides compilation hits with no less than 10 debuts for the label, with Charlotte de Witte, ANNA, B.Traits and Scuba’s SCB project, among the collection of topline artists to release their maiden productions on the imprint.

Over two decades into its lifespan, Drumcode keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. This reputation for progression was further fueled this summer with its inaugural festival at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, featuring a long list of heavyweights including Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens and Ida Engberg, among others.

As ever, the A-Sides compilation provides a timely opportunity to showcase the full range of its sonic repertoire, with Adam Beyer scrupulously selecting 22 unreleased tracks that have taken prime position in his sets over recent months.

Outstanding all-round talent ANNA kicks off the compilation with ‘Portable Paradise’, a pulsating cut that sets the tone for the top-shelf club cuts to follow. Also entering the debut field with their first ever Drumcode dalliances are B.Traits and Charlotte de Witte. The esteemed Canadian selector offers up ‘I Feel The Music’, a euphonic track that’s been sought after since spring, and the Belgian ballista unlocks a thick-edged club bomb in ‘Remember.’

Leaders of Drumcode’s new brigade, exciting Brazilian Wehbba and British techno alchemist Boxia set out to impress. Wehbba’s straight-talking ‘Just’ hits with an immediate sense of urgency before neck-snap claps strike with force, and Boxia’s ‘Final Call’ elicits physical engagement with mellifluous vocals and soaring pads.

Continuously looking to bolster the profiles of emerging talent, Berlin-based producers Weska and Juliet Fox are brought into the fold with equally engaging razor-sharp tracks that are primed to do lasting damage.

Other notable highlights include an exhilarating workout from Reset Robot - the most released artist on Beyer’s imprint Truesoul – as he lands on Drumcode for the first time. And tastemaker’s favourite Jel Ford makes a welcome return as he ushers in techno rhythms with bustling breaks in ‘Nightshade.’

Elsewhere, support from label mainstays comes in from Bart Skils, who offers a work of consummate skill in ‘West Of The Moon.’ Alan Fitzpatrick, who’s been heavily featured across the A-Side series, joins forces with Scuba as he operates as his uncompromising alias SCB. The result is a propulsive floor-gripper that testifies to their masterful deftness as co-producers. Formidable duos Dense & Pika and Pig&Dan also contribute with powerful compositions.

DC195.1

A1. ANNA - Portable Paradise

B1. Wehbba - Just
B2. Luca Agnelli - Shipment

DC195.2

A1. Thomas Schumacher - The Unseen
A2. Victor Ruiz - Pulso

B1. B.Traits - I Feel The Music

DC195.3

A1. Bart Skils - West of the Moon
A2. Secret Cinema & Reinier Zonneveld - Pain Thing

B1. Pig&Dan - Pushing On
B2. Juliet Fox - Wanted Me

DC195.4

A1. Alan Fitzpatrick x SCB - Untitled
A2. Boxia - Final Call

B1. Jay Lumen - Stella Luce
B2. Weska - Other Places

DC195.5

A1. Dense & Pika - Lemur
A2. Jel Ford - Night Shade

B1. Man With No Shadow - Manila
B2. Locomatica & Blaukoma - Unfold

DC195.6

A1. Charlotte de Witte - Remember
A2. Reset Robot - Self Existence

B1. Ramiro Lopez - Delta
B2. Christian Smith & John Selway - Burning Chrome

Drumcode Vinyl

Christian Smith – Your Lovin' [DC233]